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Ford Ranger Raptor 2023: performance dual-cab teased bush-bashing, 12 days before global reveal

 

In less than two weeks, Ford will unveil the new-generation Ranger Raptor, though its latest teaser video provides further clues to what we can expect


Ford Australia has shared imagery of the Ranger Raptor bush-bashing at full-flight during testing ahead of its global reveal date on February 22.

The 26-second video shows a heavily camouflaged Ranger Raptor flying through the Australian outback, leaping between hills and drifting across the dirt – all to a lusty exhaust-note backing track

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 outback testing
Ford has released a teaser video of the Ranger Raptor flying along a bumpy road in the outback

The video teases shots of the upgraded suspension housed under the 2022 Raptor’s flared wheelarches, and while no Fox branding can be seen on the dampers, the partnership is expected to continue as is tradition for Ford’s high-performance off-road models.

Perhaps the most important detail of the video is the sound – the growl of the exhaust note appears to be distinctly more petrol-like than diesel.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 suspension system
Ford shows off the beefed-up suspension for a fraction of a second

This observation would align with previous information received by Chasing Cars which indicated the Ranger Raptor would receive both turbo-diesel and twin-turbo-petrol V6 engines. 

The boosted petrol V6 will likely be sourced from the Explorer ST, which makes 300kW of power and 563Nm of torque in its current highest state of tune.

However diesel-loving Aussie ute buyers may be more taken by the second option, a single-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine sourced from the F-150 full-sized ute. 

Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 front end test mule
The Ranger Raptor will be globally unveiled on Tuesday 22 February

Both look to far surpass the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder found in the original Ranger Raptor, living up to Ford’s claim that the new-gen ute will be the “most powerful factory-built Ranger Raptor ever”.

Almost entirely uncovered prototypes of the Ranger Raptor have already been spotted in Thailand, however the full reveal of Ford Australia’s rock star dual-cab will have to wait until Tuesday 22 February.