Ford has developed some epic turn-key racing versions of the Ford Bronco and Mustang, and the Ranger Raptor may be next. With the super truck already taking on the Baja 1000 and the Finke Desert rally, the next big step could be a turn-key racer similar to the Mustang Dark Horse R. If that happens, we’re sure wealthier fans would love to get their hands on one. It would be even cooler to see it go head-to-head against the Bronco DR for entertainment purposes.
Will Ford Build A Ranger Raptor V8?
Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook recently told Australian media outlet CarExpert that the brand is investing heavily in creating spectacular racers, and while the focus has been on the pavement with the Mustangs, off-road is still essential. If we were to get a turn-key Ranger Raptor in the future, the Bronco DR would be a reference to get an idea of what we could expect.
The Coyote-V8-powered Ford Bronco DR race truck. Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.
That would mean fiberglass bodywork, no windows, a stripped-back interior with a roll cage, and power from a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. Videos we’ve seen of people getting to drive this beast of a desert racer prove that it’s on an entirely different playing field from its production counterpart. By comparison, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R, with all of its glorious modifications, is closer to the production model than the Bronco DR. That would mean we have some serious high-speed off-roading if a V8-powered Ranger enters the picture.
As it stands, we’ve already seen that the Ranger Raptor is a beast of a truck, with a lightly modified version winning its class at the Finke Desert Race in the Australian outback earlier this year and having done the same at Baja 1000 desert race in November 2022. However, it was the only truck in its class for that race. So, by adding some upgraded suspension, safety features for emergencies, and a Coyote engine, customers would be set to buy a race-ready truck they can take to Baja if they choose to without even having to modify it.
