Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Have a new Rival – 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor
The sub-segment of performance pickup trucks is becoming more and more interesting, while some new interesting things are on the way. When it comes to mid-size pickup trucks, Tacoma TRD Pro dominates, while the Colorado ZR2 is a pretty capable machine as well. However, things could drastically change in the near future, as everyone expects to see a famous Raptor version of Ford’s popular pickup truck. The latest reports suggest this version could come to North America soon, maybe already as the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor. However, we don’t believe this will happen so soon. More likely, we will have to wait for a complete redesign to see this version on the U.S. market.
Meanwhile, the Ranger Raptor will definitely carry on in Australia and other international markets and we don’t expect to see significant changes for the next year. The 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor specs will remain pretty much the same, though there is always a chance to see some novelties in terms of standard equipment.
2021 Ford Ranger Raptor In North America
According to the latest reports, the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor won’t come to North America. Simply, the company has decided to keep this model preserved until a complete redesign. So, it looks like we will have to wait for a little bit more to see it, probably a year or two.
Once the next generation arrives, we expect that the Raptor iteration will hit the U.S. market at once. This will be Ford’s competitor in the segment that is currently ruled by Tacoma TRD Pro and Colorado ZR2. Things could easily change once this model arrives. If you look at the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor Australia specs, you can see it comes with some pretty serious upgrades, particularly in terms of suspension setup and chassis reinforcement. Of course, there are various visual upgrades as well.
We presume that the North American version, once it arrives, would come with similar upgrades. Of course, the flagship F-150 Raptor is here to serve as inspiration. This one is also about to come completely new in the near future.
Powertrain
Of course, one of the most interesting things about the North American Raptor would be the engine. Instead of an oil-burner, the U.S. model would definitely come with a gasoline engine. At this point, Ford has several engines that would work perfectly. Still, the one that seems most probable is a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost, which already powers F-150 and it has turned out to be a perfect choice for a truck. It delivers around 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. That’s the amount of power that seems like a perfect measure for a Ranger with Raptor’s badge. We presume it would come in pair with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
What About the Styling?
Aesthetics have always been playing an important role in Raptor pickups. Take a look at the Australian version, or on the F-150 Raptor and you can easily notice loads of exclusive details, starting from a big black grille, with “Ford” lettering. The higher suspension setup by itself also provides a distinctive layout, while the famous blue finish is the first choice for most buyers.
Of course, keep in mind that the next-generation Ranger is about to come with big styling changes, which will be implemented in this version as well. Some rendering photos of the next generation have already appeared and shown pretty big changes compared to the current generation. Still, we are far more interested in mechanical upgrades. These should make this pickup truck one of the most capable models in the class.
How much would 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor cost?
If we consider all the upgrades this version brings, the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor price definitely won’t be affordable. While the base Ranger currently goes around 24.000 dollars, this model would probably feature a similar price tag to its rivals, TRD Pro and ZR2. This means somewhere between 40-45.000 dollars, roughly.
What About 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor Australia?
As we’ve just mentioned, the current generation will probably remain in production for a little bit more. This also means that the Raptor badge will remain exclusive to Australia, UK, and a few more markets. Unlike the North American model, which will definitely come with a gasoline engine, this version is powered with Ford’s new 2.0-liter turbodiesel. It is characterized by a pretty impressive max output, which goes around 210 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. The engine comes in pair with a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
When it comes to the 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor price, we expect to see it in a typical time of year, sometime in the last quarter of 2020. Bigger changes are not expected.
