When Ford Philippines launched the all-new Ranger Raptor on May 18, 2023, many of you were delighted by its butch looks and serious off-road gear.
But there were also those who were disappointed by one major change – and it lies under the hood.
The local version packs a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 diesel engine pumping out 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This is identical to the engine used in the previous-generation model.
However, many of you were looking for the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve V6 gasoline engine that is fitted to Ranger Raptors in other markets. This produces a whopping 397 PS and 583 Nm of torque.
Ford Philippines managing director Mike Breen told AutoFun Philippines that the turbodiesel was the “best fit” for Filipinos, given the huge success of the previous-generation Ranger Raptor.
“We’ll focus on the 2.0-liter and maximize what we can yet with that,” he said. “And I think if customers actually drive the vehicle and they start to see people experience it and hear from customers, I think they’re gonna find that it’s exactly what we need here in the Philippines.”
However, Breen said Ford Philippines isn’t shutting the door completely on bringing in the V6 model.
“We always consider, based on what the requests are, what the customers are enthusiastic about,” he said. “So yes, absolutely, we’ll always consider it. And it will be a matter of what makes sense when and can we bring it in for the right equation that will satisfy the Filipino customer.”
Largest market in ASEAN
Breen noted that the Philippines was the largest market in ASEAN for the previous-generation Ranger Raptor, selling some 17,000 units from 2018 to 2022.
“We brought the product here at the perfect time,” he said.
“And then, when we brought it here, Filipino customers, especially auto enthusiasts, loved their vehicles,” Breen added. “And they really saw a great opportunity with Ranger Raptor based on the packaging, the capabilities and the fact that we were able to bring them into the country.”
Although Breen remained mum about specific sales and reservation targets, he said Ford Philippines “feels really good” about the level of engagement that potential customers have for the new Ranger Raptor.
“We’ll continue to pursue production as we understand what the real demand is here,” he said. “But we’re very confident and comfortable that customers will be thrilled with the product and that we will be able to get customers into vehicles, get more out there and keep bringing them.”
Lower specs
Although the turbodiesel Ranger Raptor remains a potent off-road machine straight out of the factory, it actually has less equipment than the V6 model.
The local Ranger Raptor loses the V6’s Fox Live Valve adaptive shock absorbers that adjust 500 times a second to conform to driving conditions. Instead, the turbodiesel comes with 2.5-inch Fox shock absorbers.
Other things that the local turbodiesel Ranger Raptor doesn’t get include the V6’s locking front differential and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Nonetheless, the all-new Ranger Raptor turbodiesel retains its electronically controlled four-wheel drive selection, which automatically delivers power to the front and rear wheels, along with multi-link rear suspension, suede seats, orange stitching accents, the Raptor-dedicated display and the seven selectable driving modes.
Would you still prefer to have a V6 Ranger Raptor in the Philippines, even as a top-spec model?
Did you enjoy this story? Give it five stars now below!
Source: EXCLUSIVE: V6 Ranger Raptor can still be offered if there is enough demand — Ford Philippines
