Ford is preparing new ones Raptor variants for its high-performance off-road sub-brand on its way to becoming “the Porsche of off-road.”
Currently, Ford produces hardcore Raptor variants of just three models – Ranger, Bronco and F-150 – but only one of those trios is sold in Australia: the Ranger Raptor, which has routinely accounted for up to 15 percent of demand for the country’s best-selling model over the past three years.
However, the American automaker is planning a new attack on a growing market niche it wants to conquer.
Lecture at this year’s Dakar RallyIn which Ford fielded four factory-backed cars – and another four private cars also using the V8-powered Raptor T1+ race trucks – the brand confirmed there was even more love for the Raptor to come.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
“We have a huge opportunity to expand the (Raptor) product offering,” said Will Ford, general manager of the recently renamed Ford Racing division, which is now tasked with product development of future models.
“Our intention is really to make sure that we expand the offering of Raptor products very carefully, particularly globally.”
Mr. Ford’s comments come weeks after Ford CFO Sherry House first floated the idea of expanding the Raptor family.
“I know some people in the audience here just had a wonderful ride in some of our Raptors, and that’s a product that I think we’ll be doing some more of as well,” Ms. House said at the 2025 Barclays Global Auto and Mobility Tech Conference just before Christmas.
Will Ford, son of former CEO Bill Ford, describes Raptor as “a category-defining product” that has “organically evolved into one of our strongest brands.”
And he believes there is more to be gained in the Raptor space.
“There are definitely opportunities for new Raptor variants in our current product portfolio,” he said.
“We believe there are products in our range that lend themselves to a Raptor derivative that would retain the tenet and DNA of what Raptor is.”
Mr Ford said the company was aware of the importance of retaining the hardcore DNA of its Raptor sub-brand, reiterating that this would “not dilute the brand but also bring unique value and new customers to the brand”.
“Raptor will always be the pinnacle of off-road sport – that won’t change,” he said. “We are always pushing the limits, we are constantly improving the cars.”
The question is which other models will get the Raptor treatment. A leftfielder could be a high-riding, off-road version of the legendary Mustang muscle car.
A report from Car & Driver Back in 2023, Ford insisted on releasing a limited edition Mustang Raptor in 2026.
The price is said to be around US$90,000 (A$134,180). It is reportedly powered by the Mustang Dark Horse’s 373kW 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, with torque sent to all four wheels via an electronically controlled center differential.
C&D even suggested that a Raptor R would follow with a 522kW-plus supercharged 5.2-litre V8, also equipped with 2.0-inch suspension and Fox Live Valve dampers, as well as off-road tires, underbody protection and wheel arch liners.
While it’s not an immediate choice for a sub-brand that has previously focused on true off-road vehicles with ladder-frame architecture, several sports car brands have offered high-performance off-road model variants that have proven highly desirable, such as the Porsche 911 Dakar and the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato.
Speculation from the US also suggests that the Expedition large SUV sold in North America is at the top of Ford’s Raptor hit list.
As an SUV version of the F-150, it’s an obvious choice since much of the engineering work would be handled by the F-150 Raptor.
There’s also the compact crew-cab Maverick, which is more of a lifestyle vehicle than an off-roader, which might make it a less likely candidate.
And in 2023, Ford launched the all-electric Mustang Mach-E Rally in some overseas markets, giving the midsize electric SUV additional ground clearance and off-road capability.
A more obvious choice is of course an Everest Raptor, which could easily follow on from the work already done for the Ranger and Bronco Raptors (both based on the Australian-developed T6 platform) and would help further propel the Raptor sub-brand globally as the Bronco remains a left-hand drive model.
However, Ford has previously pushed back on an Everest Raptor, arguing that it wouldn’t be a big hit with customers, leading the company to instead develop the Tremor variant, which increases off-road capability without the Raptor’s speed or price.
Late last year, the Everest Tremor was offered overseas with a 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine producing 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque, close to the 292kW/500Nm output of the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has also opened the door to limited edition models based on his racing activities – perhaps a Raptor Dakar – as the company expands its high-performance off-road range.
“There could be some interesting opportunities of this kind, especially in the off-road sector, but there is nothing to announce today,” he said.
MORE: Explore the Ford showroom
