Out of the blue dropped Ford’s confirmation of the 2019 Ranger Raptor – a highly capable off-roader based on the mid-size T6 Ranger pickup but with the soul of the widely loved F-150 Raptor. Without much hubbub, the Ranger Raptor’s webpage went live early September 7 as part of Ford Australia’s main website. Included is a short video that teases the truck’s capabilities and rugged underpinnings. Many details still remain unknown, but Ford did confirm the Ranger Raptor will come in 2018 within the Asia Pacific market, which includes Australia and New Zealand.

The video offers a clear look the Ranger Raptor’s front suspension system, especially the lower control arm. It’s a beefy slug of aluminum and looks very similar to the F-150 Raptor’s. The MacPherson struts are devoid of branding, however, though we’d bet Fox Racing is a shoe-in. Sadly, we can’t see the rear suspension. Rumors are running rampant of a multi-link system with coil springs and a Watts Link attached to a solid axle. Confirmation of the powertrain is also missing. Some say the Ranger Raptor will use the same High Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost found the in F-150 Raptor, while others say the Ranger’s 3.2-liter five-cylinder will be used. We’re leaning toward the standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost used in less radical F-150s. There it makes 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. We’re also betting strongly on the 10-speed automatic transmission being the only choice. And what would a modern Raptor be without Baja Mode and the rest of the 4WD selectable setting? Ford could officially debut the Raptor at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 14, so stay tuned to TopSpeed for that.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor here.

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2019 Ford Ranger Raptor

Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor.