Ford’s future direction: CEO wants Ford to be known as "the Porsche of off-road."

[stuartmunto]

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/ford-wants-to-be-the-porsche-of-off-road-148466/

Found this article which is very interesting about Ford’s hopeful direction with the Raptor brand. Given how incredible the Ranger Raptor is I say Ford is in a very good spot with their Raptor products! Excited to see what else they come up with. More Raptor versions of other models would be awesome!

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[sikedsyko]

I'd really like to see them take the Mach-E Rally and give it an RS trim, via the Raptor treatment. A wide body, long travel suspension, and some serious dampers. Make it a real rally car, not just a street car with a damper tune.

 

[Blahx]

Id be forced to trade in and up for a RRR

 

[jeffers]

911 dakar is the Porsche of offroad

 

[stemplar]

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/ford-wants-to-be-the-porsche-of-off-road-148466/

Found this article which is very interesting about Ford’s hopeful direction with the Raptor brand. Given how incredible the Ranger Raptor is I say Ford is in a very good spot with their Raptor products! Excited to see what else they come up with. More Raptor versions of other models would be awesome!

This is pretty interesting. It makes perfect sense with regard to the Raptor models as they didn't happen by accident or on a whim. But I'm wondering if there will be any implications for the "common" models like our Ranger XL's, XLT's, and Lariat's. I wonder this because for a while I've thought of the tacos as more off-road oriented (even if a lot of it is marketing) while the ranger is more focused on traditional pickup truck work (towing and payload). If the future focus is offroad prowess, will we get coil springs instead of leaf springs in back? I'm hoping not, but if I have my way my '25 is going to last me a long time so I don't have to worry about future rangers getting better at things I don't personally care about while it gets less good at things I do care about. Now with that said, I'd love to find a progressive leaf pack like the 5th gen ranger tremors had!

 

[jrRaptor]

Ford has a lot of work and a complete culture change if they want to go there. But I'd totally drive a Ford Ranger Raptor GT3 RS lol.

 

[Daweism]

Id be forced to trade in and up for a RRR

I hope they make a RRR. 550HP 700TORQUEUEUEUE

Imagine if they made the Mustang Raptor like a Rally Fighter. Probably not enough market for it.

 

[Kranger84]

They should update the FX4 package. Maybe a small lift, 4a, better suspension tune. If tremor isn't coming anytime soon there is a big gap between raptor and fx4.

 

[embedded rock]

I'd like it if the FX4 had a separate switch for the axle locker and not tied to selecting a drive/traction mode.

 

[nappy]

Will this ever make it to the states?

 

[Kranger84]

Will this ever make it to the states?

I hope so, but doubt it. Could make it a 2 row, compete with 4runner. Probably would have to import it though, Michigan Assembly is maxed with Bronco/Ranger.

 

[nappy]

I hope so, but doubt it. Could make it a 2 row, compete with 4runner. Probably would have to import it though, Michigan Assembly is maxed with Bronco/Ranger.

That doesn't sound promising. I read a bunch a hype online a few years ago that it may make to the States, but that thought seems to have evaporated. It's such a nice looking and probably a solid off-road SUV. It's something I would be very interested in.

 

[stuartmunto]

Will this ever make it to the states?

You guys get the Explorer - so probably not??

 

[Texasota]

Agree

You guys get the Explorer - so probably not??

Agree. Ford is not going to bring this over as it would cannibalize Explorer sales.

 

[nappy]

Agree

Agree. Ford is not going to bring this over as it would cannibalize Explorer sales.

Nah......Different vehicles, different capabilities. Take Honda; They sell many over-lapping vehicles, as does Toyota. The Everest would be far more off-road ready than an Explorer which is an on-road vehicle. For example, my wife would want the Explorer and I'd want the Everest. Add in price variances, they would be positioned differently. Look at Honda Passport and Trailsport, or the Pilot and all the variations.

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