A Ford Everest Raptor is in the Works; Could Lead to a Bronco Raptor

TopSpeed

By Mark McNabb

Published Feb 19, 2018

Will the “Raptor-ization” continue?

First, there was the Ford F-150 Raptor, then came the Ranger Raptor, but if Australia’s Drive.com is to be believed, Ford might have an Everest Raptor in the works. The Everest, the three-row SUV version of the Ranger, would theoretically be easy to give the Raptor treatment. Both the Ranger and Everest share similar frames and suspensions, along with the forward second of the cab.

So, what spurred this theory? No less than Ford Performance’s head engineer, Jamal Hameedi, in fact. He told Drive, “There’s no reason ,” he said.

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Hameedi continued talking up the idea by saying, “The first F-150 Raptor was way beyond our wildest dreams in terms of success, and that success spawned a Ranger Raptor. So to do an SUV is a little more difficult because you have to figure out how to deal with the rear suspension. In the form of a bodyside outer it’s not just a box outer poses a unique challenge in how you package that.”

Apparently, Ford’s Australia product communications manager, Damion Smy, agrees that Ford should build more performance-oriented trucks and SUVs. Smy told Drive, "Long term it would make sense if you look at the fact that passenger vehicles were overtaken by SUVs this year. There’s definitely a case for more performance oriented or at least more sports styled SUVs in the future."

So, while an Everest Raptor would be great, that doesn’t mean much for Ford’s U.S. operations. The Everest isn’t available in North America and Ford hasn’t made any statements suggesting that will change anytime soon. However, America will be getting the Ranger-based Bronco SUV in 2020. With both the Everest and Bronco being based off the Ranger, it’s highly likely an Everest Ranger will spawn a Bronco Raptor.

While this is highly speculative, the idea is hardly far-fetched. What’s more, with the Ranger coming to the U.S. for 2019 (and highly likely the Ranger Raptor will too), adding a Raptor trim to the 2020 Bronco is a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, only time will tell. Ford will likely debut the 2020 Bronco sometime in late 2018 or early 2019, so we’re still several months away from even seeing what the Bronco will look like, let alone know what trim levels it will offer. In the meantime, read our full review of the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor and let know your thoughts in the comments below.

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