After a conspicuous sneak preview of the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor at the Manila International Auto Show last month, Ford Philippines has already sent out its invitations to the motoring press for its local launch.

Happening on May 18, 2023, the launch signals the return of the Raptor trim in the Ford Ranger lineup.

As reported earlier, our sources have indicated that the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor will be sold with the 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque. A 10-speed E-Shifter automatic transmission will put down the power to all four wheels.

Also Read: Top 5 reasons the Philippine-market 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor will get a turbodiesel mill

Despite the absence of the V6 lump, the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor should still be able to hold its own and dominate the pickup market in terms of performance. However, we might be in for a shocker regarding some key specs or the lack thereof. 

Not quite the V6 Raptor's kit

Featured in the 44th Bangkok International Motor Show last March was the 2.0 Bi-Turbo diesel version of the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor. Back then, it earned the monicker "entry-level" because this new diesel-fed Raptor was de-spec'd somewhat compared to the V6 gasoline version introduced in 2022.

According to our colleagues from AutoFun Vietnam, one of the main disappointments of the Raptor in their market was the omission of Fox Live Valve shock absorbers found in the V6 Raptor. Those are the ones that adjust 500 times a second to conform to driving conditions.

Instead, in Vietnam, and also confirmed at the Bangkok International Motor Show display, the Bi-Turbo diesel next-gen Raptor only gets the Fox Performance 2.5-inch dampers. And with the variable damping omitted, the steering wheel-mounted buttons controlling the live dampers in the V6 have also been removed in the Bi-Turbo.

The Vietnam market next-gen Raptor also does not get a front wheel Locking Differential, only the one the rear axle has it. And since it's a diesel, the exhaust valve selection option in the V6 has also been removed. 

Also gone from the diesel Raptor is the 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system found in the V6. Instead, the Vietnamese market gets a basic six-speaker setup. 

Nonetheless, the next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor diesel still gets the 4A electronically controlled four-wheel drive selection, which automatically delivers power to the front and rear wheels, the multi-link rear suspension, suede seats, orange stitching accents, the Raptor-dedicated display, and the seven selectable driving modes which still includes Baja. 

We can also expect a 12.4-inch infotainment screen with the SYNC 4 system, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, a heated steering wheel, 10-way front power seats, wireless charging, and auto dual-zone air conditioning.

We would assume that the specs of the diesel next-gen Ranger Raptor compared to the V6 version were lowered to bring down the price point of the former by a significant amount. But given that we've only had a diesel Raptor before, it seems that we could still see a slight bump in pricing because it is a newer model year with newer tech.

Should we get our hopes up, then? Even in diesel trim, the next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor looks imposing and even plays the part in terms of performance. 

But we still hope Ford Philippines will give our market some consideration and bring more of the bells and whistles that set the Raptor variant apart.