Ruled out for introduction in its home market despite the standard Ranger returning last year after going out of production in 2012, a new report from Road and Track claims that the Raptor could become a reality when the all-new Ranger debuts in 2022.
According to the publication, the newcomer will still ride on the T6 platform that underpins the US spec model as well as the global equivalent, the Everest and revived Bronco, but with the internal designation P703 as opposed the current P375.
The article further alleges that the chassis engineer responsible for P703 has given it the approval for North American introduction, and that he also worked on the domestic Ranger that is branded P375N whereas the world derivative simply carries the P375 moniker. In addition, the P703 will allegedly be codenamed Project Redback, the same designation used for the P375 Raptor.
When it does become a reality after the P703 premieres, chances are that US Raptor will adopt an EcoBoost engine of some kind instead of the 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel, which is widely seen as the biggest factor limiting North American availability of a P375N, despite chief rival, Chevrolet, offering its off-road focused Colorado ZR2 with both petrol and diesel power.
