Ford Ranger Raptor Debuts for Europe as North America Waits Patiently

Ford hasn’t confirmed the Raptor Ranger for the United States and it has really started burning everyone’s biscuit. The same is likely true in Canada — except for Quebec, where they would assumedly prefer the croissant. However, the collective annoyance doesn’t stem from fears that the middle-weight Raptor won’t make it to North America, as there’s already too much evidence to the contrary. Everybody just wants Ford to stop playing hard-to-get and cough up the details on their new pickup.

Using the Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany as a launching platform, Ford unveiled the Euro-spec Ranger Raptor to the public on Tuesday. While we’re still a little confused by the industry’s growing fascination with debuting new models alongside car-related video games, it is of little consequence. We don’t mind hearing about how it will be in the new Forza Horizon 4 as long as we get to hear some technical details.

Unfortunately, we ended up a little disappointed there. While Ford’s mention of off-road BF Goodrich tires, upgraded front suspension with Fox Racing shock absorbers, aluminum control arms, and fresh Watt’s linkage system were handy tidbits of info, details about the engine were not.

That’s because the Euro Ranger Raptor will come with a “bi-turbo 2.0-litre” EcoBlue diesel when it goes on sale next summer. The odds of that unit coming to America are on par with you growing an extra set of hands and using them to scratch off the jackpot on a lottery ticket purchased on the same day. Alright, it’s probably more likely than that. But we would still be very surprised if showed up stateside and absolutely flabbergasted if it were the only engine option.

Like the Australian version, the diesel model produces 210 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and sends it to all four wheels through the increasingly popular 10-speed automatic gearbox.

“Forget everything you think you know about pick-ups,” said Leo Roeks, Ford performance director for Europe, in a corporate statement. “Our new Ranger Raptor is a different breed — a thoroughbred desert racer and extreme lifestyle off-roader that can toil with the best of them in the harshest of working conditions.”

It certainly looks the part. There’s a junior version of the F-150 Raptor grille, flared fenders, skid plate, bolstered seats, magnesium paddle shifters, and new LED fog lamps with functional air-curtain ducts to complete the baja aesthetic. You can also select one of six Terrain Management modes to help you on whatever surface you’re interested in tackling. That includes everything from normal driving to low-speed rock crawls and high-speed desert blasts.

We’d imagine it’s probably quite capable in the dirt, but it’s not going to offer a blistering 0-to-60 time on pavement. The Aussie-spec Raptor Ranger takes over 10 seconds to hit highway speeds, topping out around 105 mph, and we expect the European version to be no different. Of course, that information probably irrelevant to us.

[Images: Ford Motor Co.]