V8 Ranger Raptor reportedly on indefinite hold

Monday, 18 May 2020

Nissan's Ford Ranger Raptor challenger is confirmed for New Zealand and ready to head off road.

The long-rumoured V8 version of Ford's Ranger Raptor has reportedly been placed on indefinite hold.

According to Whichcar.com.au and Wheels, Ford has shelved the burlier Raptor for the next while. It's not an engineering-related issue though, it all boils back to COVID-19 causing budget cutbacks and continuing to stuff up 2020.

The Aussie publication says there is a small chance of a V8 Raptor arriving after the dust clears from coronavirus but it almost certainly won't be an official Ford product.

This won't come with a sonorous V8 soundtrack for the next while.

Tuner Premcar was working on the hi-po ute, according to Wheels (despite denying involvement earlier this year) and, if this were any other year, would tweak the Raptor's underpinnings before sending it to Ford’s plant in Campbellfield for the heart transplant.

At least we can still buy the standard Ranger Raptor!

* Hyundai's upcoming ute rendered

* Ford confirms 'discussion' for V8-powered Ranger Raptor

* High-output Ford Ranger Raptor V8 already mooted

The bent-eight Raptor was set to get the 339kW 5.0-litre Coyote V8 from the Mustang GT. This will easily displace the current 157kW/500Nm biturbo diesel engine powering the current Ranger Raptor in terms of outright power and straight line speed, although expect it to cost a fair chunk.

If that's not enough, Tickford has said it will supercharge the V8 Raptor, as long as there is enough demand.

Talking to CarsGuide, Tickford group commercial director, Andrew Philpott, said the company can use its Mustang GT tuning packages on the V8 Raptor.

These include a 2.65-litre Roush TVS supercharger, retuned ECU, upgraded air intake and more efficient cooling. Called the Supercharger Power Pack - Stage 1, buyers will part with around AU$18k (NZ$18,771) to crank output to a face-melting 529kW/828Nm.

While Ford is shelving the project, Premcar has the ability to produce vehicles at its own facility. After all, it's the one building the Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior. That means we could still see the V8 Raptor hit public roads, albeit in fewer numbers than if Ford officially sold the ute.

The independent firm can also expand to include one more production line but declined to comment when Wheels touched base.