Ford Ranger Raptor V8 unlikely as Bronco Raptor 5.0-liter V8 ruled out – report | Biden News

AND V8 heart transplant for a new generation 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor appears unlikelyafter Ford executives reportedly eliminated Mustang V8 power for its close cousin under the skin, the US-market Bronco Raptor 4WD.

The latest Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor are based on different versions of Ford’s ‘T6’ frame architecture and share a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that develops between 292kW and 312kW, depending on the vehicle.

But according to a new report out of the US, Ford has ruled out fitting the Mustang sports car’s 5.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol V8 to the Bronco Raptor – a decision that could apply to its Ranger Raptor platform counterpart.

Ford Performance global engineer Karl Widmann told the American website Motor control The 5.0-liter V8 “doesn’t have enough low-end torque to satisfy the demands of the Raptor engineering team,” as the publication paraphrased.

Motor control suggests that supercharged power will solve the problem – however, the website states that Ford does not offer a factory version of the 5.0L supercharged engine (except for dealer-sold, but factory Ford Performance parts).

Ford offers a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 in the flagship F-150 Raptor R pickup in the U.S., but putting the engine in the Bronco Raptor, which is smaller and about 150 kg lighter, could make it faster than the bigger, more expensive one. the pickup brother is something Ford would like to avoid.

The Ranger Raptor is an additional 100-125 kg lighter than the Bronco Raptor, which will further improve performance – and the Ranger Raptor ‘R’ V8 will have an advantage over the F-150 Raptor R.

While Motor control The report doesn’t theoretically rule out a V8 Ranger Raptor, with the Mustang’s 339kW/556Nm 5.0-litre V8 not far from the Ranger Raptor’s 292kW/583Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

This would result in only a small increase in performance – while potentially increasing front-end weight – compared to the investment required to develop the V8 Ranger Raptor, especially without its Bronco Raptor V8 sibling to amortize the development costs.

Mr Widmann told Australian media in March: “The reason we focused on the twin-turbo V6 [petrol engine for the Ranger Raptor] it’s because it’s powerful – for the volume it packs and the amount of weight it pushes – and that’s why we chose it.

“We don’t go for big, heavy engines… we want to get power and do it in the best way possible. Especially on the front.”

In 2019, Ford considered developing a V8-powered version of the previous-generation Ranger Raptor as an Australian-led project to replace the standard 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine.

However, as reported drivethe project was canceled in its infancy – contrary to media reports at the time that it was in active development – ​​because it would be too expensive to sell, require too many engineering resources and take too long to develop.

Ford has developed a V8-powered version of the Bronco, known as the Bronco DR (below), but it’s a purpose-built, limited-edition model for desert races, including the grueling, high-speed Baja 1000 in Mexico, which isn’t expensive legal.

Meanwhile, according to Motor controlthe Bronco Raptor’s engine bay is too narrow to “properly” fit the larger 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine from the “standard” F-150 Raptor pickup.

The publication says that a 3.5-liter engine may be installed, but it may not pass crash test standards or receive sufficient airflow. Motor control is speculating

In the F-150 Raptor, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 develops 336 kW and 691 Nm – compared to 312 kW/597 Nm in the 3.0-liter Bronco Raptor, 292 kW/583 Nm in the Ranger Raptor (with 98-octane Australian fuel) or 522 kW/868 Nm in the supercharged V8 F-150 Raptor R.

Ford also highlighted some issues with installing hybrid power on the Ranger Raptor.

“If you add an extra 200kg to the vehicle … whatever it is … I wonder if you’re going to have the same performance and maneuverability as you have now,” Mr Widmann told Australian media in March.

“If you look at a mild hybrid, a full hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, they all add weight. You have to deal with the added weight, and that makes it a challenge to make it as flexible as it is.” .”