A Fleet Distribution News Bulletin from Ford shared online has revealed that order books for the latest-generation 2024 Ford Ranger will open on April 17, 2023, while production will kick off on July 10, 2023.
The bulletin, uncovered by the guys over at the Ranger6G forum, adds that orders for the 2023 model year Ranger will close on March 23, 2023. Word of the order books opening in six weeks and production commencing in July comes roughly a month after a pair of images of the U.S.-specification Ranger leaked online.
The images in question were snapped at the carmaker’s Michigan Assembly Plant and showed the pickup truck in flagship Raptor guise. It is understood that the example pictured, finished in Cactus Grey, was a pre-production prototype.
Read: Dealer Employee Crashes Customer’s New Ford Ranger Raptor During Pre-Delivery Joyride
A handful of alterations have been made to the exterior of the Raptor to get it certified for U.S. roads. For example, it features orange reflectors in the front fenders. In addition, the third brake light has been relocated from the tailgate to the top of the cab. A small sliding rear window will also be featured.
Technical specifications for the 2024 Ford Ranger for the U.S. market are not yet known. However, we understand that it will be offered with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder pumping out up to 300 hp and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque with premium fuel. Meanwhile, the Ranger Raptor will come with the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 as it has in overseas markets. This engine is rated at 392 hp and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) in the Australian model but when fitted to America’s Bronco Raptor, is rated at 418 hp and 440 lb-ft (596 Nm).
