For years, Ford enthusiasts have wondered whether the company would expand its high-performance Raptor R lineup beyond the F-150. With the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor gaining a loyal following, many expected even more extreme “R” versions to eventually arrive. However, Ford has now poured cold water on those expectations.
According to Ford Racing production vehicle chief engineer Carl Widmann, there are currently no plans to launch a Bronco Raptor R or Ranger Raptor R, leaving the mighty F-150 Raptor R as the undisputed flagship of Ford’s off-road performance family.
No Raptor R Expansion on the Horizon
Speaking during the Carlisle Ford Nationals event in early June, Widmann addressed questions surrounding the future of the Raptor lineup while standing alongside Ford’s trio of desert-conquering machines: the F-150 Raptor R, Bronco Raptor, and Ranger Raptor.
When asked whether Ford was considering more powerful Raptor R versions of the Bronco or Ranger, Widmann’s response was direct.
“I have not seen any plans for it,” he said.
While the statement doesn’t completely close the door on future possibilities, it clearly signals that Ford’s current focus remains elsewhere.
Ranger Raptor Already Packs a Serious Punch
Widmann offered further insight into why Ford may not feel the need to create an even hotter Ranger Raptor.
The current Ranger Raptor is already one of the most powerful midsize performance trucks on sale. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, it comfortably outguns its direct rivals.
According to Widmann, the truck already enjoys a significant performance advantage within its segment.
“The Ranger Raptor already has significantly more power than any other truck in its class,” he explained, noting that competing models are nowhere close in output.
Interestingly, Widmann suggested that the Ranger may already be approaching the sweet spot where additional horsepower would offer diminishing returns.
“If anything, the Ranger Raptor might even already have too much power,” he added.
Shared DNA with the Bronco Raptor
Part of the reason Ford appears comfortable with the current formula is that the Ranger Raptor already shares much of its performance hardware with the Bronco Raptor.
Both vehicles use Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6. While the Bronco receives a slightly different engine calibration that delivers a modest power advantage, the Ranger benefits from being lighter and more compact.
That combination gives the midsize truck impressive acceleration and off-road capability without requiring a more powerful engine.
Ford has even offered software-based performance upgrades for the platform, allowing owners to unlock additional performance without a complete mechanical overhaul.
F-150 Raptor R Remains the King
For now, the crown firmly belongs to the F-150 Raptor R.
Powered by a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 producing 720 horsepower, the full-size truck sits at the very top of Ford’s off-road hierarchy. Its blend of raw power, desert-running capability and unmistakable V8 character has helped it stand apart from every other Raptor model.
While enthusiasts may continue dreaming about a Bronco Raptor R or Ranger Raptor R, Ford’s latest comments suggest those dreams will remain just that for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, the existing Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor appear to offer more than enough performance to satisfy most buyers, while the F-150 Raptor R continues to reign as the ultimate expression of Ford’s off-road engineering ambition.
