It won't be too long until Ford reveals its reborn Ranger mid-size pickup truck, but many specific details are still being kept under wraps. Fortunately, Motor Trend has learned a number of interesting details involving engine options, body styles, towing capacity, and even the possibility of a so-called Raptor-lite model. First off, the Ranger will be a traditional body-on-frame construction, not unibody. That's guaranteed. As for the engines, there's a good chance there'll initially be three options:

A base level naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 175 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. It's also likely the 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6, developing 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque in the 2018 F-150, will be optional. As for the third engine, there are two possibilities: an EcoBoost or a diesel. Our money is on the former mainly because Ford's signature engine is the EcoBoost and it'd be quite unusual not to offer at least one in the Ranger lineup. Best guess: the 2.3-liter turbo four found in the Mustang EcoBoost. Ranger body styles, MT believes, will be a SuperCab two-door or a four-door SuperCrew. As for towing capacity, the Chevrolet Colorado V6 can tow as much as 7,000 pounds (the diesel can do 7,700 pounds).

Given that, a 7,100-pound capacity is a fair assumption for the Ranger. As for that Raptor-lite possibility, Ford has two targets in mind: the Colorado ZR2 and the upcoming redesigned Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Not offering a hardcore off-road Ranger (though perhaps not at launch) would be a pretty dumb move. Clearly there's a market for such a vehicle. We'll be learning more Ranger details in the coming months, and we may even see a concept arrive this January at Detroit.