Will the Ranger Raptor Be Enough to Save Ford’s Mid-Size Truck?
It’s no secret Ford’s mid-size truck, the Ford Ranger, has taken a pretty big hit in terms of sales. During Q2 2022, the Ranger actually lost nearly half a segment share. And that certainly is not ideal for the Blue Oval. In fact, Ford’s smallest truck, the Maverick, is currently beating its bigger sibling when it comes to sales. Will something like the Ranger Raptor be enough to get consumers to buy this mid-size truck again?
Will the United States get a Ford Ranger Raptor?
If you are hoping that Ford will Raptor-fy the Ranger, you’re in luck. The Blue Oval does have plans to bring a more powerful Ranger to the United States. As a smaller truck, it’s definitely not going to be as capable as the F-150 Raptor, but that’s not really the point. It’s going to be a mid-size truck with legitimate off-road capability and a more aggressive look.
Although the Ranger Raptor has been available in other markets, it has not been sold here in the States. And it is hard not to see it becoming a popular mid-size truck. Surely, the Blue Oval is hoping it will help reinvigorate some interest in this vehicle. Maybe it’s the Ranger that folks have been waiting for.
The Ford Ranger Raptor will join the Raptor line of Ford vehicles, which currently includes the F-150 and Bronco. So, it will be interesting to see if it lives up to the name.
The Ranger Raptor should have more power
In terms of power, the Ford Ranger Raptor is expected to come with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This 3-liter powerplant will likely have 392 horsepower and 430 pound-foot of torque. That means it will have the same powertrain as the Ford Bronco Ranger.
According to Car and Driver, it will also boast standard 4WD, locking front and rear differentials, and a beefier suspension. If you plan to off-road this mid-size truck, that likely comes as good news. Even if you will have to pay significantly more than the standard Ranger.
Can the Raptor nameplate bolster Ranger sales?
Reporting from Ford Authority shows that sales of the Ranger are down in the United States. In 2020, Ford managed to move over 100,000 units, and in 2022 that number dropped to slightly under 60,000. But, there are some factors to consider with those numbers.
Ford has put the Ranger on the back burner in order to keep up with orders of the Bronco, as both vehicles are built in the same place. Additionally, the Blue Oval has not been immune to supply chain issues.
Add on top of that the fact that a new generation of Ford Ranger is coming to the United State; it does make sense that sales have taken a hit. Hopefully, with the arrival of the Ranger Raptor, we will see more of these mid-size trucks on the street.
This pickup may have ditched some of its traditional truck features, but it still seems like a decent enough vehicle. And who doesn’t like an off-road truck in a small package?
