Ranger

Make
Ford
Segment
Sports Car

We like the Ford Ranger. It's a handsome and dependable pickup, but what we're really interested in is the Ranger Raptor that we don't currently get. The hope for some time has been that eventually, we would get it and that there would be a 5.0-liter V8-powered version with 710 horsepower that would be even more exciting than the F-150 Raptor. However, as we reported last month, this seems like a distant prospect if it ever does happen. As disappointing as this is, there could still be a reason to get excited about the next Ranger Raptor. CarAdvice in Australia reports that there may be two engines to choose from for the next generation.

It seems that a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gas engine could be offered along with a 10-speed automatic transmission. If that drivetrain sounds familiar to you, you may have been recently looking over the specs of the Ford Explorer ST. This AWD SUV produces an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, which would be a lot of fun in the lighter platform of a pickup like the Ranger. The current Ranger Raptor's 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-pot is decent, but there's a possibility that a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel engine with 248 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque could be offered in its place.

It seems as if the gas engine from the Explorer is definitely headed our way, and since that's the more powerful option, this makes us rather happy. Sure, we don't know just how quick the gas engine will make the Ranger Raptor, but it'll definitely be faster than the diesel. And yes, we still hold out hope that the monstrous V8 version will eventually make its way here, as unlikely as that seems. In any event, the twin-turbo V6 looks like it'll be just the right sort of thing to tide us over until we eventually get what we really want. Are you excited, or is the V8 the only mini Raptor you could be interested in?