Ford says Ranger Raptor may have ‘too much power’, rules out V8

The Ford Ranger Raptor has established itself as the off-road performance benchmark in the ute segment, and according to one of Ford’s top engineers, it doesn't need any more straight line power either.

Speaking to Road & Track in the United States, Ford Racing production vehicle chief engineer Carl Widmann said the twin-turbocharged Ranger Raptor is already pushing the limits of what’s necessary in the mid-size ute class.

“The Ranger Raptor already has significantly more power than any other truck in its class,” Mr Widmann said.

“Nothing else is even within 30 horsepower [22kW]. “If anything, the Ranger Raptor might even already have too much power.”

The Ranger Raptor sold in the US is powered by the same petrol V6 engine fitted to models sold in New Zealand and Australia.

In New Zealand, the Ranger Raptor uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 producing 292kW of power and 583Nm of torque. It remains the only petrol-powered double-cab ute on sale locally and comfortably outguns diesel rivals such as the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, and even Ford’s own diesel V6 Ranger.

Mr Widmann's comments are accurate in America, however here in New Zealand, the performance landscape for utes is changing.

A new wave of plug-in hybrid utes from China now exceeds the Ranger Raptor’s peak power output. The BYD Shark 6 Performance produces a combined 320kW, while the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV delivers 300kW and the recently launched JAC T9 PHEV boasts 360kW.

While those model are not available in America due to tariffs, the output figures of PHEV utes suggest there’s room for a more powerful Ranger Raptor should Ford decide it wants to reclaim outright bragging rights.

Mr Widmann’s comments are also likely to disappoint enthusiasts who have long hoped for a Ranger Raptor R flagship, potentially powered by the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 from the Mustang GT.

Rumours of a factory-built V8 Ranger have circulated since the current-generation Ranger Raptor launched in 2022, particularly after Ford unveiled the F-150 Raptor R in the US with a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 producing more than 500kW.

When asked directly about the prospect of a V8 Ranger Raptor R or Bronco Raptor R, however, Mr Widmann was unequivocal.

“I have not seen any plans for it,” he said.

Mr Widmann noted the Ranger Raptor shares its engine with the US-market Bronco Raptor, which produces a slightly higher 312kW thanks to a different calibration.

Despite the Bronco’s power advantage, he argued the Ranger’s smaller size and lighter weight mean additional performance isn’t a priority.

His comments suggest Ford believes the Ranger Raptor already strikes the right balance between performance, durability, and day-to-day usability, rather than chasing ever-increasing power figures. That approach also aligns with Ford’s broader Raptor hierarchy, with the F-150 Raptor R remaining the brand’s undisputed halo off-roader.

For now, it appears Kiwi buyers hoping for a factory-backed V8 Ranger Raptor will have to keep dreaming.

While aftermarket companies have offered V8 conversion packages for previous Ranger generations, Ford’s own engineers don’t appear convinced the current model needs any more firepower.