2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Rumors And Release Date – The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R is basically a downsized version of the high-flying, velocity-defying F-150 Raptor. As with its big brother, the off-road-ready Ranger will also feature flared fenders,

rugged tires, extra ground clearance, and an unmistakable grille. While it will ride on the same fully boxed ladder frame as the regular Ranger, the Raptor variant will receive a long-travel suspension for soaring over jumps and a more powerful engine for quicker desert runs.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R was just revealed less than one month ago, marking the long-awaited return of the V8 engine to that high-performance off-road-focused pickup following years of V6-only offerings. The Raptor R won’t enter production at the Dearborn Truck plant until this fall,

but it seems as if one of them is already out there somewhere. Ford Performance Motorsports Global Director Mark Rushbrook at least hinted at the possibility of a 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R, too. “There would be a lot that would transfer” between the Bronco DR and the Ranger platform, he indicated.

Skepticism aside, the Ranger Raptor V8 simply isn’t commercially viable. The Blue Oval’s truck sold 50,279 units last year in Australia, which is too small of a market for a cost-intensive project and product such as the V8-swapped truck.

Even in the United States, where the Ranger sold 94,755 units last year, the Coyote feels a little too much for a mid-size pickup.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Design

Redesigned for the 2023 model year on the T6.2 platform of the Bronco, the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R is once again rumored with an eight-cylinder lump. Cars Guide reports that high-ranking officials Trevor Worthington and Mark Rushbook wish to create a Coyote V8-engined truck, yet I wouldn’t hold my breath.

And the Raptor R introduces customizable drive modes that can be triggered by the R button on the steering wheel. Extra badging on the interior will also remind you that you’re in the Raptor R, but the same 12-inch Sync 4 touchscreen jumps between models. While the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R offers an all-new engine and drivetrain improvements,

it shares suspension with the F-150 Raptor 37 (except for stiffer front springs because of the heavier engine). The new Raptor trim’s 37-inch tires should set it apart from entry-level F-150 Raptors. But the extra rubber is far from the only distinguishing feature of the new supertruck.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Feature

Ranger Raptor to have an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s latest Sync infotainment software. That would mean Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot are standard features. Along with various charging ports, the widebody Ranger will likely offer options such as built-in navigation and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Engine

The standard Ranger Raptor (rendering above) debuts in 2023. Rumors suggest it uses a twin-turbo V6. This could be the 330-horsepower (246-kilowatt) 2.7-liter unit from the Bronco or the 400-hp (298-kW) 3.0-liter mill from the Explorer ST. All signs point to the performance pickup being available in America, unlike the previous iteration.

The trophy-truck-inspired Raptor’s suspension was the star of the show, but its growling 6.2-liter V8 wasn’t far behind. As Ford pivoted away from V8s and toward smaller turbocharged engines, the Raptor lost its V8. Even though the EcoBoost-powered Raptor made more power than its predecessor,

that V8 vacuum helped open the door for the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX. The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R offers a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine borrowed from the Mustang Shelby GT500 sports car, providing a significant performance increase over the base 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6.

Ford has modified the eight-cylinder ‘Predator’ for application in the F-150 Raptor R for improved low- and mid-range performance, with 522kW of power and 867Nm of torque – a 45kW drop and 20Nm increase.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Transmissions

It’s essentially the same setup found on the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R, which includes a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, complete with locking front and rear differentials. Compared to its pedestrian counterpart,

the Raptor will have a sturdier suspension and beefier off-road equipment. Along with a higher ride height and increased ground clearance, it has 33-inch all-terrain tires that bookend wider front and rear tracks.

This supercharged 5.2-liter DOHC V8 sends 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque through a ten-speed automatic transmission and into the Raptor’s four-wheel-drive system.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R Price And Competitors

One way Ford is justifying the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor R’s dizzying $109,145 MSRP is with a signature visual language. The F-150 Raptor R boasts blacked out chrome. The interior is resplendent with the black Recaro seats and carbon fiber you’d expect at this luxury car pricepoint.

The Ranger Raptor will go on sale as a 2023 model, but Ford hasn’t said how much it will cost. We expect its starting price to exceed the top-of-the-line Ranger Lariat (currently priced at around $40,000). It’ll also likely align with competitors such as the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.