The Ford Ranger Raptor Already Exists In South Africa (Kind Of)

It is no secret that Ford is preparing to unveil the eagerly-anticipated Ranger Raptor in the coming weeks. In South Africa, however, the vehicle already exists. Almost.

While touring around the country, we have spotted dozens of modified Ford Rangers that have been outfitted with a host of upgrades fitting of a Raptor model. Take this example we snapped in Kruger National Park.

Perhaps the most obvious difference between this Ranger and a run-of-the-mill one are the bolt on black fender flares, a feature we’ve seen adorning Rangers in almost every town while here. Next, the pickup includes black wheels and off-road tires, a menacing matte black bull bar, black wing mirrors, and an aftermarket hood with a prominent bulge in the center.

However, this isn’t even the most convincing do-it-yourself Ranger Raptor we’ve come across. In Cape Town, we saw a handful adorned with similar modifications but also the same front grille as the F-150 Raptor. One example was even painted orange and had a replica Raptor livery and stickers on it, as well as a pair of spare wheels and tires in the bed. For a moment, we actually wondered if it might have been the real deal, uncovered on the streets without camouflage.

If Ford wants to capture sales with the Ranger Raptor in important markets like South Africa, and Australia, it better be sure its looks are as eye-catching as some of the knock-offs out there. All shall be revealed February 7. Apparently.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops.com