2022 Ford Ranger Raptor to get twin-turbo petrol V6 in the US – report

The 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor will gain the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine from the Ford Explorer ST.

US website Ford Authority is reporting Ford will borrow the 'EcoBoost' V6 from the Explorer ST performance SUV for use in the flagship Ranger Raptor, according to sources familiar with the matter. Performance could be as high as 300kW and 563Nm, based on current outputs.

However, it's not confirmed whether the engine will make it Down Under.

The 2023 VW Amarok will be based on the new-generation Ford Ranger, and Volkswagen could persuade the Blue Oval to fit its 3.0-litre 'Power Stroke' turbo-diesel V6 from the F-150 pick-up, putting out 185kW and 600Nm.

The current Amarok's big selling point is its 190kW/580Nm turbo-diesel V6, and it's unlikely Volkswagen would want to abandon its customer base by moving to an all-new petrol powertrain.

Another possible scenario is the Ranger Raptor gets the twin-turbo petrol V6 locally, while the Amarok gets Ford's diesel V6 alongside other Ranger variants.

Industry rumours as far back as June 2020 have suggested both the petrol and diesel V6 engines were possible for the Ranger.

Drive understands the next-generation Amarok won't be built at Ford's Thailand plant – where the current Ranger is sourced from – meaning there's a small chance for both engines to feature in the Australian market.

A right-hand-drive Ranger Raptor prototype was spotted in the US recently, with our spy photography partners revealing its engine note was more akin to a petrol V6 than a diesel.

While American buyers enjoy diesel-powered full-size pick-ups such as the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-250, those in the US who opt for smaller utes such as the Ranger tend to have favoured petrol power.

Meanwhile, Ford Australian engineers have been spotted testing a number of Ranger variants around NSW's south coast and Victoria's Gippsland regions over the past month.