Ever since the current T6 Ford Ranger debuted in 2011, mini Raptors – as in the Ford F-150-based SVT Raptor – have been sprouting up all over the place.
Lifted Rangers with F-O-R-D scripted grilles and body flares have been perusing the streets of Thailand, Australia and the rest of the world, even though Ford doesn’t make a Raptor-fied version of the Ranger at present – word is the next-generation model due in two years could change that.
Until then, here’s a convincing all-round effort from in-house performance division M-Sport in the UK. Based on the newest, facelifted Ranger (developed in Australia as many of you know), it benefits from a 4.4cm lift in ride height and features some distinctive and crafty body additions.
We’ll start with the grille, which neatly incorporates lazer LED spotlights and is integrated into a very edgy looking bumper with sinister-looking nostrils. A heavy-duty bash plate sits at the bottom to prevent the sump from spilling its guts.
Wheel arches are beefed up and surround BF Goodrich rubber and 17-inch off-road wheels. Matt black appointments feature throughout, to contrast the white paint of this example. All this will be available through participating Ford dealerships in Europe starting in September. Unfortunately, there are no plans for an Australian introduction.
This rapturous Raptor replication could mean Ford is looking seriously at a Ranger Raptor for the 2018 model, which is set to be developed here once again.
