Ford Rules Out Ranger Raptor R and Bronco Raptor R for Now, Says Performance Chief
Table of Contents
Ford fans hoping for an even wilder Ranger Raptor or Bronco Raptor may have to wait a little longer. According to Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann, the company currently has no plans to introduce R versions of either model.
The statement makes it clear that Ford is satisfied with the current Raptor lineup, leaving the F 150 Raptor R as the flagship performance truck in the family.
No Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R Planned
During a recent discussion with Road & Track, Carl Widmann was asked whether Ford was considering launching a Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R above the existing models.
His answer was straightforward.
“I have not seen any plans for it.”
That effectively rules out any immediate expansion of the Raptor family with more powerful versions of the Ranger or Bronco.
Ford Believes the Ranger Raptor Already Has Plenty of Power
Widmann went a step further by suggesting that the current Ranger Raptor may already be pushing the limits of its segment.
According to him, the pickup offers significantly more power than any of its direct rivals.
Key highlights include:
- The Ranger Raptor produces more power than competing midsize performance trucks.
- Ford says no competitor comes within 30 horsepower of its output.
- Adding more power could make the truck harder to manage rather than more enjoyable to drive.
His comments suggest Ford has focused on creating a balanced package instead of chasing bigger horsepower numbers.
Ranger Raptor vs Bronco Raptor Performance
Although both vehicles use Ford’s twin turbocharged 3.0 litre V6 engine, there are small differences in output and performance.
| Specification | Ranger Raptor | Bronco Raptor |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 | Twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 |
| Power | 405 hp | 418 hp |
| Weight | 5,372 pounds | 5,764 pounds |
| 0 to 60 mph | 5.3 seconds | 5.6 seconds |
Despite making 13 horsepower less than the Bronco Raptor, the lighter Ranger Raptor reaches 60 mph faster thanks to its lower weight.
This shows that overall vehicle balance often matters more than peak horsepower figures.
F 150 Raptor R Continues to Lead the Lineup
While the Ranger and Bronco Raptors rely on a twin turbo V6, the F 150 Raptor R remains in a class of its own.
Its supercharged 5.2 litre V8 delivers substantially higher performance, helping the truck sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
For now, Ford appears committed to keeping the V8 powered Raptor R exclusive to the F 150.
Could Ford Change Its Mind in the Future?
Nothing is permanent in the automotive industry.
Although Ford says there are no current plans for R versions of the Ranger or Bronco, future demand could influence that decision.
Interestingly, Ford Performance already offers a software calibration that can increase the output of the twin turbo 3.0 litre V6 to around:
- 455 horsepower
- 536 pound feet of torque
If Ford ever decides to expand the Raptor lineup, this upgraded calibration could provide a starting point without requiring a completely new engine.
Final Thoughts
Ford’s latest comments indicate that the company sees little need for a Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R at this stage. The current Ranger Raptor already sits at the top of its class in terms of performance, while the Bronco Raptor delivers impressive off road capability with the same V6 foundation.
Meanwhile, buyers looking for the ultimate factory Raptor experience will continue to find it in the F 150 Raptor R and its powerful V8 engine.
Sources and References
1. Ford Racing (Official)
Official Ford Racing website featuring performance vehicles, motorsports news, and Raptor related updates.
2. Ford Performance Parts (Official)
https://performanceparts.ford.com/
Official Ford Performance Parts website with information on factory performance upgrades and calibration packages.
3. Road & Track
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a71537376/ford-no-plans-bronco-raptor-r-or-ranger-raptor-r-raptor/
Original interview with Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann confirming there are no plans for Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R.
4. Car and Driver
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71573706/ford-ranger-raptor-r-bronco-raptor-r-not-happening/
Detailed report covering Ford’s decision to keep the F 150 Raptor R at the top of the Raptor lineup and explaining the performance differences between Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor.
5. Ford Ranger Raptor Official Page
https://www.ford.com/trucks/ranger/models/ranger-raptor/
Official Ford page with specifications, features, and performance details of the Ranger Raptor.
6. Ford Bronco Raptor Official Page
https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/models/bronco-raptor/
Official Ford page highlighting the Bronco Raptor’s off road capabilities and technical specifications.
7. Ford F 150 Raptor Official Page
https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/models/f150-raptor/
Official Ford page for the F 150 Raptor and F 150 Raptor R with specifications and performance information.
