Ford Ranger Raptor

Were you wondering whether buyers would take to the 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine offered in the new Ford Ranger? Wonder no longer, because it appears they're happily hopping aboard the downsizing train. Martin Gunsberg, Ford Australia communications head, today told media 50 per cent of Ranger XLT and Wildtrak buyers are opting for the new 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel and 10-speed automatic transmission over the cheaper (and older) 3.2-litre five-cylinder oiler.

Ford Europe has confirmed the Ranger Raptor will go on sale in the region, arriving in showrooms mid-way through next year. Debuting at the Gamescom video game trade fair in Cologne, Germany – also where Ford Europe is headquartered – the Ranger Raptor is very much the same as the model sold in Australia, featuring various off-road mechanical upgrades and a 2.0-litre 'EcoBlue' bi-turbo diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Even though the range-topping Ranger Raptor misses out on autonomous emergency braking, Ford's team responsible for developing the model locally says driver safety is top of its priorities list. After exclusively revealing it won't offer autonomous emergency braking on the Ranger Raptor last week, Ford has confirmed it's working on the technology, but faced technical challenges too steep to climb by the model's launch.