√2023 Ford Ranger Raptor RS, HD and Baja editions imagined

We floated this idea before, but now we have a clearer picture of how the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor performance ute range could be expanded.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor – now powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine (292kW/583Nm) – is just around the corner.

The first Australian deliveries are expected in July or August pending any production delays and shipping bottlenecks.

While the new-generation Ford Ranger Raptor will deliver a level of performance never seen before in the mid-size pick-up segment globally – with estimates of a 0 to 100km/h time somewhere in the five-second range – Drive reckons there is still room for more variations on theme.

To be clear, these ideas stem from our imagination and are not part of any official Ford program.

But with the help of our resident Photoshop guru Theophilus Chin, we now have a clearer picture of what an expanded Ford Ranger Raptor line-up could look like if Drive had its way.

Given the earlier feedback on social media to these ideas, it’s clear Ford does not need to mess with the original Ford Ranger Raptor formula: Fox shocks, BF Goodrich rubber, and tough-truck looks.

But as owners of the current generation Ford Ranger Raptor can attest, the off-road tyres are epic in the dry and in the dirt but are deadset dicey in the wet.

With that in mind we floated the idea of a Ford Ranger Raptor RS version – with the exact same formula as the rest of the vehicle, but with road-biased tyres and rims.

With the twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, Fox shocks, and stickier road rubber the Ford Ranger Raptor could become the hot hatch of utes. Let’s face it, if we’re really honest with ourselves, not every Ford Ranger Raptor owner takes their vehicle off-road.

Ford execs we mentioned the idea to said they would look into it, which could mean they were just being polite – or they might actually investigate the feasibility of a Ford Ranger Raptor RS.

As is stands there is no such tyre with a road-biased tread pattern and the Raptor’s tall sidewall profile. So a tyre would need to be developed and tested, and checked against the vehicle’s stability control systems. Engineers we spoke to estimated this process could take up to two years.

A Ford Ranger Raptor RS – if it were to become a reality – might find appeal to buyers who want the tough-truck looks but are buying the vehicle for mostly on-road driving and the epic comfort provided by the Fox shocks.

As you can see from our collection of computer illustrations, the changes between each Ford Ranger Raptor variant are subtle – some extra badging and unique wheels and tyres – and that is deliberate, because Ford needs to make as few changes as possible to make this viable.

We also reckon there is also a market for a vehicle with Ford Ranger Raptor looks – including the F-O-R-D grille, fender flares and BF Goodrich rubber – but with Fox shocks and a leaf spring rear-end to increase towing capacity from 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes.

We’ve called this model pictured above and below the Ford Ranger Raptor HD (for heavy duty) and we reckon it should be powered exclusively by the 3.0-litre turbo diesel.

Such a vehicle would appeal to Ford Ranger fans who prefer the looks of the Raptor over the Wildtrak – but need the 3.5-tonne towing capacity of the Wildtrak and XLT models, and who want diesel grunt and driving range.

The Ford Ranger Raptor HD could also get the steps in the rear fenders because, when powered by a turbo diesel V6, there is no need to leave room for the dual exhaust (which is exclusive to the twin-turbo petrol V6).

Yes, Drive’s Ford Ranger Raptor HD is basically a Ford Ranger FX4 Max (we even borrowed the FX4 Max side steps for differentiation between the other Raptor models), but with Raptor HD stickers and badging.

Ford Performance bosses may initially shudder at the thought of a Ford Ranger Raptor HD (we presume this is why the FX4 Max name was created, even though the ingredients are similar to a Raptor and Ford was happy to let that model out the door with a F-O-R-D grille).

We earnestly but politely ask Ford executives to consider opening up the Raptor name to other worthy variants.

Having spent 6000km in a current-generation Ford Ranger FX4 Max – with Fox shocks, a leaf-spring rear-end and BF Goodrich tyres – it is absolutely worthy of the Raptor name.

That brings us the Ford Ranger Raptor Baja. This variant is exactly as the regular model is planned to be introduced this year. But given its phenomenal ability, it is worth of a Baja label (pictured below).

Although most bros who drive Ford Ranger Raptors rarely leave the tarmac, the subtle Baja label is a nod to the true capabilities of this vehicle.

At Drive, we can’t believe a risk-averse multi-national automotive giant such as Ford had the courage to build a machine like the Ford Ranger Raptor – which can leap into the air and land softly despite weighing 2.4-tonnes – even though few owners will ever get to experience what it is truly capable of.

At least a Baja label alongside the Raptor logo would be a subtle reminder to owners of what they have really bought into.

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