Rally variant of Ford Ranger Raptor in the offing

Update:  See more details on Twitter account of Ford Performance with a video of the new Ranger Raptor undergoing tests.  The update came a few hours after this story was posted.

 

DETROIT: Ford has tapped social media to whip up some buzz on its Ranger Raptor Rally Version, which is due to be unveiled at the Melbourne Cup Day horse racing event today.

Ford released a teaser video showing the vehicle having extra lights, which could mean it would be aimed at fans of rallying such as the Baja 1000. If so, it certainly would have a Baja drive mode baked in as in the Ranger Raptor.

The new generation Ranger Raptor is rolling out in North America in 2023, so that would be the basis for Ford Performance to work on the racing variant that is set to break cover today.

Two output specs would be offered in the new Ranger Raptor namely 392hp/583Nm for US and Canada, while Europe would get a detuned 288hp/491Nm to comply with tougher emissions rules.

Ford has also changed the second-generation Ranger Raptor powertrain from a twin-turbodiesel four-cylinder to a V6 petrol mill.