The 2019 Ranger has been spotted doing laps at the Ford’s test track in Dearborn. The forthcoming truck will sit in the midsize segment and is expected to be offered in a souped-up off-road variant.
This new pick-up is rumoured to be an off-road version of the current Ranger and it may adopt the Raptor nameplate from the F-150. The Ranger ‘Raptor’ has been created to pose stiff competition to off-road versions of the Ranger’s competitors, the Chevrolet Colorado and the Toyota Tacoma.
The new ‘Raptor’ pick-up truck will carry more aggressive styling cues on the front and the side profile will see some remoulded fenders. The body cladding is expected to be minimal, thus offering more clearance.
The vehicle is expected to receive mechanical changes such as newly designed shock absorbers resulting in an increased ride height and dual purpose tyres. However, this new Ranger will be based on the same ladder frame platform as the current Ranger.
The mid-sized pickup will source its power from Ford’s 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine, although it will be detuned before it makes its way into the Ranger’s engine bay. Ford may also offer their smaller 2.7-litre V6 EcoBoost found in their F-150 pickup truck. The Ranger will be offered with a 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with GM.
The Ranger ‘Raptor’ will be launched in the American markets in late 2018 as the 2019 model after the standard variant hits the American markets.
