Ford Doesn’t Rule Out Bringing The Ranger Raptor To The U.S.

It’s only been a few days since Ford took the covers off of the Ranger Raptor in Thailand. The main question we have after seeing the vehicle is whether the Ranger Raptor will come to the U.S.

Ford North America Product Communications Manager Mike Levine took to Twitter to give enthusiasts in the U.S. some hope. On his account, Levine shared an article from duPont Registry that questioned the availability of the pickup in the United States. Another Twitter user by the name of Ted Moncure asked Levine if the vehicle would be coming to the U.S. Here’s what Levine had to say.

Simply responding to a tweet may not seem like a lot, but in the automotive world, the answer leaves some room for interpretation. Usually, when you reach out to an automaker or ask someone a direct question, they provide a “We don’t comment on future vehicles” response. The fact that Levine didn’t just deny it could mean that the Ranger Raptor could eventually hit U.S. shores.

Today’s announcement is about the launch of the new Ranger Raptor in Asia Pacific markets. We’ll have more to share about Ranger Raptor at a later date.

— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) February 7, 2018

A recent report claims that the Ranger Raptor could come to the U.S. with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. That motor is a far cry from the engine that Ford will offer in other markets, which is a twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel.

For potential customers who can’t wait for Ford to make up its mind, the most off-roading oriented variant of the Ranger will be the one with the FX4 Off-Road Package. Adding that to the pickup truck brings all-terrain tires, better shocks, a Terrain Management system and a frame-mounted heavy-gauge steel front bash plate and skid plates. The FX4 Off-Road Package also includes the automaker’s new Trail Control Technology, which is cruise control for rough terrain.

We believe that Ford will eventually introduce the Ranger Raptor to the U.S., simply because a midsize sibling to the F-150 would certainly be a hit with buyers.