Lucas Bell 
Off-roading and overlanding are undergoing an explosion in popularity as of late, which has helped push automakers to create more offerings tailored to these tasks. Ford got the ball rolling in the off-road pickup segment over a decade ago now with the F-150 Raptor, which remains the benchmark that all other off-road trucks are judged by. Of course not all of the pickups in the segment nowadays are based on half-ton models, with offerings like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Jeep Gladiator giving customers a chance to enjoy trails in a smaller and more affordable package. This clearly isn’t sitting right in Dearborn, as the automaker continues work on the upcoming 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. The next-generation truck promises to help Ford cement their position in the segment, while maintaining the high standards of the Raptor nameplate. Thanks to TFLTrucks, we have some new spy photos to look over.
Ford Ranger Raptor Spied In The Mountains
This new batch of photos comes out of Colorado, where it appears that Ford is doing some high-altitude testing on both the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor models. The group consisted of quite a few 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor prototypes, all of which are wearing heavy camouflage. That said, there are some design elements poking through that we’ve seen on other supposed Ranger Raptor test mules. The most noticeable of these tweaks are the swollen fenders front and rear, which mirror those found on the larger F-150. Also similar to the larger pickup are the new lighting elements in the front end, which carry the “c-clamp” look found on the half-ton.
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The photos also show off a set of beefy off-road rubber affixed to the truck, which appear to be BFGoodrich K02s to our eyes. The side steps are also different from those found on the Ranger Tremor, further hinting that this is indeed the top-flight off-roader. Unfortunately, the brief driving clip doesn’t provide us with any real hints as to what will power the new off-roader. The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor will share its underpinnings with the Ford Bronco, and as such we can infer that the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 will find its way under the hood. This engine was just confirmed to make 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque in Bronco spec, which would be healthy figures for the small truck. Expect the truck to also feature a suspension setup based on learnings from the Bronco and F-150 Raptor models.
Expect A 2022 Debut
As of now, it appears that the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is slated to debut alongside the standard model in 2022. This is not unlike what we saw with the new 14th-generation F-150 lineup, with sales taking place a few months after the fact. While we’ll still have to wait for more concrete details from the automaker themselves, development is clearly well underway. That should be exciting for any off-roading fan, regardless of your brand preferences. Competition has helped to create some of the coolest offerings on the market right now, and here’s to hoping this new truck is no different.
