Ford confirms 'discussion' for V8-powered Ranger Raptor

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Ford Australia and New Zealand president, Kay Hart, recently told carsales.com.au that reports of a V8 Ranger Raptor have some solid weight behind them. However, while the V8 ute has been 'absolutely discussed,' it has yet to be given the green light.

Tuning outfits Tickford, Herrod and Premcar have all denied involvement with the project.

Hart told the Aussie publication: 'There are now customers ringing saying 'I want that, I want that'. There have been discussion about 'could I put a V8 in a Raptor?' for a long time, even back at launch.

The president of Ford Australia and New Zealand has confirmed the long-rumoured V8 Ranger Raptor has been discussed internally but is yet to get the green light.

'Sure we talk about it.

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'I am not going to talk about the chances of it happening… because I have nothing to confirm.'

Previous rumours had indicated the bent-eight Raptor will get a version of the 339kW 5.0-litre Coyote V8 currently powering the Mustang GT. This will easily displace the current 157kW/500Nm biturbo diesel engine powering the current Ranger Raptor in terms of outright power and straight line speed, although expect it to cost a fair chunk. Australia's Wheels magazine recently claimed the ute will be a limited edition costing north of AU$100k.

If that's not enough, Tickford has said it will supercharge the V8 Raptor, as long as there is enough demand.

Talking to CarsGuide, Tickford group commercial director, Andrew Philpott, said the company can use its Mustang GT tuning packages on the V8 Raptor.

These include a 2.65-litre Roush TVS supercharger, retuned ECU, upgraded air intake and more efficient cooling. Called the Supercharger Power Pack - Stage 1, buyers will part with around AU$18k (NZ$18,771) to crank output to a face-melting 529kW/828Nm.

Tickford has also been linked with a conversion programme for the F-150 truck. While the idea could work, given how well the Ram and Silverado conversions have done, Hart confirmed to carsales there are 'no plants for a right-hand drive F-150.'

'We continue to look at what the market is and the great work the Walkinshaw team have done in terms of bringing in and converting (Ram and Chevrolet) vehicles.

'Does that bring opportunities? Maybe. It's not something we are looking at right now.'