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The Ford Ranger Raptor has always been a very compelling tease for U.S. buyers. While this flavor of Ranger has been available in international markets for a few years now, Ford has remained steadfast in its commitment not to bring the raucous midsize off-roader to the U.S. due to the costs of making it mesh with U.S. regulations.

But a new report appears to suggest that Ford might change its tune with the next generation Ranger.

Ford Raptor Ranger

According to the report which was released by the Australian publication CarExpert via Roadshow the next generation model will spawn a U.S. bound Raptor model. Ford for its part has so far declined to comment on the validity of the report, but how could this highly desirable model possibly make the trip to the U.S?

A potential answer lies in the construction of the next-generation Ranger which would possibly be designed from the ground up to have better compliance with global safety standards. At the moment, the current generation offering is built on a platform that first made its debut in the global market back in 2015, with the U.S. getting its version a few years later in late 2018, when the truck reappeared here as a 2019 model.

The global market Ranger will be updated first, and as a result, Ford claims it didn’t make sense to make a version just for the U.S. at the time. The next generation Ranger however, will most likely be less expensive to convert between markets, and that would allow the U.S. variant to roughly fall in sync with its global cousins. That in turn, would possibly help pave the way for the Ranger Raptor to enter the U.S. market.

Ford Raptor Ranger

So what could this trim level bring to the table for U.S. customers? The Australian publication goes beyond merely speculating, and claims that a provided screenshot is proof the midsize bruiser will be powered by the familiar 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 which would allegedly make 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque in this application.

This would be a massive boost over the 270 horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that motivates the current model. In addition to the Raptor’s engine, the report appears to indicate that other engines would include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel and a naturally aspirated V-6. While we doubt the diesel will make it over, the 3.0-liter V-6 could be a good mid-level engine in the Ranger’s engine lineup. It would serve as a noticeable stepping stone between the 2.3-liter and the Raptor’s alleged new engine, and help fight against V-6 rivals. All three power plants would use the carryover 10-speed automatic for improved fuel economy and performance.

Look for more information to emerge on the next-generation Ranger in the not too distant future, with Ford perhaps unveiling more tidbits sometime in late 2021.

Related Posts:

2020 Ford Ranger Raptor LHD Spied – Coming to America?

 

Ford Ranger Raptor is an Off-Roader’s Wet Dream – Official Details

 

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