Finally! 2023 Ranger Raptor to Hit the U.S.

It’s coming: The 2023 Ranger Raptor.

Available to the global market since 2019, the rugged, high-performance Raptor variant is finally making its way to the U.S. The new global model debuted in late February, with Ford CEO Jim Farley confirming the Raptor Ranger will reach American dealerships next year.

Ford touts the 2023 Ranger Raptor as “built to dominate in the desert, master the mountains and rule everywhere in between. The second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar as a pick-up built for true enthusiasts.”

If that sounds like something you’d like to sink your teeth into, keep reading. While most details are based on information for the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor releasing in Europe summer of 2022, it’s likely that the U.S. can expect to see many of the same features and upgrades in the 2023 Ranger Raptor.

Ready for Adventure

Ford reimagined its new Ranger Raptor, and delivered a ground-up redesign – starting with the chassis. New mounts and reinforcements, (for elements including the C-pillar, load box and spare wheel), as well as new frames pieces (jounce bumper, shock tower and rear shock bracket) work together to improve strength and ensure the new Raptor can handle punishing off-road conditions.

Standing taller and bearing better ground clearance than its no-frills Ranger sibling, the Raptor variant also enjoys a completely redesigned suspension for 2023. All-new tough, lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms, long travel front and rear suspension, and revised Watt’s link rear setup deliver more control when blasting through rough terrain at high speed. Next-gen FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers ensure no vertebrae are knocked out of alignment during said adventures.

Also notable is a full-time four-wheel drive system with all-new electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, with front and rear locking differentials. Ford thought of it all with seven selectable drive modes, including Normal, Sport, and Slippery for on-road use, as well as Rock Crawl, Mud and Ruts, Sand, and Baja for off-road use. Each mode activates a different vehicle systems adjustment, altering everything from throttle response to traction and stability.

The 2023 Ranger Raptor also comes with Ford’s Trail Control, a type of cruise-control for off-roading. The vehicle maintains acceleration and braking based on the driver’s set speed, so he or she can focus on tackling the terrain in front of them.

Bark & Bite

Pushing the Ranger Raptor up rock faces and over dunes is a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine delivering 392-hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. Car & Driver expects those numbers to differ in the U.S. version, as the model bears the same setup as the Bronco Raptor. That model’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 is targeted to deliver over 400 hp. Regardless, the 2023 Ranger Raptor’s new powertrain delivers effortless acceleration on all types of off-road terrain, including gravel, dirt, mud and sand.

A new anti-lag system available in Baja mode keeps turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, making it easier to resume accelerating out of corners or through the gears when the driver hits the accelerator again.

The new Ranger Raptor also allows you to be the most considerate and well-liked neighbor around, offering four choices of distinct engine sounds. Simply press a button on the steering wheel or select a drive mode and enjoy one of four settings:

• Quiet. Quietness is prized over performance in this setting, making you the neighborhood hero when you leave the house at 6 a.m.

• Normal. This setting is intended for daily use, producing some noise but not too loud for street use. This is the default setting in Normal, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl drive modes.

• Sport. Make your presence known with a louder and more dynamic engine sound.

• Baja. Intended for off-road use only, the Baja mode exhaust is the loudest and highest-performance setting, sure to alert even the meanest moose that you mean business on the back roads.

Off-Road Accessories Included

Complementing the Ranger’s mechanical off-road upgrades are some pretty exciting exterior accessories.

Twin-rated tow hooks at the front and rear provide flexible recovery options and the ability to use balance straps during snatch recoveries in sand or mud. The mid-size hauler also boasts flared wheel arches, functional vents, aero features, and design cast aluminum side steps. An enormous steel front bash plate ramps up underbody protection.

Additionally, Ranger’s Matrix LED Headlights and LED daytime running lights feature predictive curve lights, glare-free high beam and auto dynamic leveling. Zone lighting allows the driver to control individual exterior lights on the truck through the SYNC 4A screen.

While designed for rugged off-road use, the 2023 Ranger Raptor’s interior does not forget about on-road luxury. Inside the cabin, amber glow ambient lighting enhances Code Orange accents on the instrument panel, trim, and seats. Speaking of seats, Ranger Raptor’s performance options build off those found in F-22 Raptor jet fighters – just with 10-way power adjustment.

Tech abounds inside as well. A 12.4-inch all-digital gauge cluster keeps you informed by offering a range of view types and responses to selected drive or exhaust modes. The e-shifter and electric parking brake are all-new and allow for more center console storage and wireless smartphone charging. Plus, the fully-digital cabin uses Ford’s new generation SYNC 4A connectivity and entertainment system including smartphone connectivity and a premium sound system.

If your off-road trip goes longer than expected and you need more power, the Ranger Raptor features an overhead panel of six auxiliary switches made for off-road lighting, air compressors and other accessories that need power. Each switch can be hooked up to service a separate system.

Stay tuned for more Raptor news, as the model should hit our shores in 2023.

UnderCover TRIAD

Complement the new mid-size Ranger Raptor with the premium hard-folding yet cost-effective TRIAD tonneau cover from UnderCover. Featuring matte-black panels, an integrated perimeter with corner seals, and a sturdy aluminum construction, this cover can support up to 600 pounds of evenly distributed weight, in addition to providing cargo and truck bed protection.

So, what differentiates the TRIAD from all the other hard-folding covers on the market?

Unlike many other offerings, TRIAD features a sleek, rounded-edge design that sits above the edge of the bed rail. Not only does the design allow for better sealing, but also supremely easy on-off functionality. To further aid installation, TRIAD arrives completely assembled and utilizes a simple clamping system. Since this cover does not allow complete bed access (instead folding twice to provide 2/3 access), the easy on-and-off capability ensures drivers can still transport large items requiring the entire truck bed.

Backed by a three-year warranty and coming in at under $1,000, the UnderCover TRIAD is the perfect complement to the all-new Ranger Raptor – or any capable truck – especially, for the price-conscious consumer who’s unwilling to compromise on features and performance.

UnderCover, a proud Truck Hero Company, is the #1 selling hard truck bed cover in America. Founded in 1999, the company entered the truck bed market in 2001 with the first truly competitive alternative to the traditional fiberglass cover. Today, the company is a market leader with a robust product line including the popular hard-folding FLEX covers and sleek-looking ELITE one-piece tonneaus. Learn more at https://undercoverinfo.com/