Eagle-eyed Ford Ranger fans have spotted another prototype of the performance-focused Raptor variant which Chasing Cars understands will offer both twin-turbo petrol and turbo-diesel V6 engine options.
In a series of images shared on the Kurdistan Automotive Blog, the 2022 Ranger Raptor prototype spotted in Thailand hides nothing of what lies underneath, with its identity clearly marked on the tray.
It’s the latest opportunity we’ve had to see the Ranger Raptor close to being unmasked, after being spotted in Victorian High Country powering through an off-road course alongside the new-generation Everest SUV.
A prototype Ford Ranger Raptor 2022 has been spotted in Thailand
While prototypes can differ from production models, the Ranger Raptor seen in Thailand does show the ute with the same dual exhausts and flared wheelarches as the prototype seen in Victoria.
The Ranger Raptor prototype is wearing the same C-shaped LED headlights as seen on the top-spec Ranger variants already revealed. A raised ride height will also offer better approach and departure angles than the standard model.
Ford Australia has previously teased that the Ranger Raptor will be revealed in full this February but it’s still surprising to see the highly anticipated ute wearing so little camouflage.
Wider wheelarches and a raised ride height are easy to spot on the high-performance ute
Turbocharged V6s available for the Raptor
Ford is testing a number of Ranger prototypes at its development centres in several places around the world including Thailand, the US and in Victoria.
Chasing Cars understands late-stage Aussie prototype Ranger Raptor utes have been running around with sports-tuned versions of both petrol and diesel V6 engines.
The petrol engine is likely to be Ford’s twin-turbo V6 sourced from the US-market Explorer ST, which produces up to 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.
With the new-generation Ranger already unveiled the Raptor variant won’t be far behind
That engine is expected to put out around 190kW of power and 600Nm of torque in the top-spec Ranger models, though Ford could be fettling the diesel to offer its own tune for the Raptor variant.
Regardless of which Raptor engine buyers choose, both should easily outmuscle the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder found in the current model.
After years of hoping for something more than a diesel four, it’s about to be an exciting time to be a Ranger fan. With the full reveal of the new-generation Raptor potentially less than a month away, we won’t have to wait long to find out just how good this new super-ute is, and how much muscle it will pack
