Ford will officially reveal its all-new 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor on February 22 and has released a promotional clip showing a disguised prototype ripping through the Australian outback. But don’t be too sure that it will be powered by a3.0-litre V6 Power Stroke turbodiesel motor, however.

The Blue Oval has not announced anything new about the upcoming flagship of the new-generation Ford Ranger, which will be revealed via the brand’s Facebook and YouTube channels on 22/02/2022, apart from “developed by Ford Performance for off-road enthusiasts, this is the most-powerful factory-built Ranger Raptor ever”.

The 26-second YouTube clip contains all the usual elements: A camouflage-clad Raptor prototype kicks up plumes of red dust as it tears along a dirt road, bounds over hills and corners at breakneck speeds. What’s more interesting is what the mechanical soundtrack that accompanies the footage tells us… If you turn up the sound, you’ll hear that the gear shifts are rapid, which suggests the prototype utilises the Blue Oval’s 10-speed automatic transmission.

Moreover, the camouflaged Raptor’s roaring motor sounds a bit too sharp and raspy to be a 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel (as used by the current bakkie). Considering the rorty audio clip Ford released in November last year, which was simply titled 02.2022, we now believe the new Ford Ranger will be powered by a turbopetrol engine… and probably a V6.

Ford has some potent EcoBoost V6 turbopetrol powerplants in its arsenal, including ones with 2.7-, 3.0- and 3.5-litre capacities.

The 2.7-litre unit produces 242 kW-246 kW and 542 Nm in the Ford F-150 and Bronco, the 3.0-litre develops 298 kW and 563 Nm in the Explorer ST and Bronco Raptor, while the 3.5-litre motor produces 335 kW and 691 Nm in its most powerful state of tune, but more realistic outputs of 280kW and 637Nm could be on the cards for the new Ranger Raptor.

Due on sale globally in early 2023, the new Raptor Raptor should feature purposefully flared fenders, the characteristic FORD grille, unique alloy wheels, BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 rubber (orGeneral Grabber AT3 tyres, as featured on the current-gen Special Edition)and wide-set dual exhaust ends.

The only question that remains is: If the new Ranger Raptor will utilise a turbopetrol V6 motor, will it still be produced at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s Silverton plant? We’d bit it will, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out for sure.

Thenew-gen Ranger line-up will make use of (updated) locally made single and bi-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engines, while a 3.0-litre V6 diesel motor, whichwill also be produced at the firm’s Struandale engine plant inGqeberha, will head the range. The model will be launched in South Africa in the second half of the year.

Further Reading:

All-new Ford Ranger revealed

Ford Ranger Raptor SE Pricing and specs