Hyundai’s Pickup Could Get A Ranger Raptor-Rivaling Variant

Hyundai has indicated that its forthcoming pickup truck could get a performance version to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The South Korean company’s mid-size pickup truck has been a long time coming and will take design inspiration from the Santa Cruz Concept. Car Sales had the opportunity to speak with Hyundai N boss Albert Biermann about the vehicle and directly asked him if an N model was possible.

“You have to be ready for everything from Hyundai and Kia, everything things is possible. So there’s no limitations,” he said.

Also Read: Long-Awaited Hyundai Pickup Truck Is Coming “Soon” As US-Built Model

If Hyundai N does get its hands on the pickup truck, it would likely outfit the vehicle with bespoke suspension similar to the race-inspired shocks found on the Ranger Raptor. In addition, it would be logical for the car manufacturer to use its highly-strung 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the i30 N to power the truck with power potentially bumped up to beyond 300 HP.

A few months ago, Hyundai USA vice president of product revealed that the pickup truck will be made somewhere in North America, potentially the U.S.

It has been four-and-a-half years since the Santa Cruz Concept was launched and reports assert the production version could be unveiled in late 2020. If that proves to be the case, then a performance version should be at least one or two more years away.

In the meantime, Biermann said Hyundai N is working on a performance version of the i20, as well as an SUV that’s believed to be based on the Tucson.