BIMS 2023: PH to get 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor with 2.0L turbo diesel?

During the 2022 Bangkok International Motor Show, Ford unleashed the all-new Ranger Raptor for the ASEAN market. Instead of a bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel under the hood, the high-performance pick-up truck now comes with a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 that punches out 397 PS and a whopping 583 Nm of torque. Power is sent to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

At the time of its release, we expected Ford Philippines to launch the next-generation Ranger Raptor with the aforementioned V6. Unfortunately, the automaker has yet to actually reveal it for the Philippine market. This left us puzzled since Ford usually brings its latest models from Thailand to the Philippines in just several months.

It's been already a year and there is still no sight of the next-generation Ranger Raptor on our roads. However, we now have a theory as to why the high-performance pickup truck has yet to make it on our local roads.

At this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, Ford has revealed another variant of the all-new Ranger Raptor. But instead of having an EcoBoost V6 under the hood, this is actually the 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel version. That's right, the pickup is still available with the EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel engine from its predecessor.

Based on the Thai specs, it continues to make 210 PS along with 500 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to a full-time 4WD system via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite not getting a V6 under the hood, this particular Raptor still comes with the upgraded Fox suspension. These include the new Fox 2.5 Live Valve internal bypass dampers that Ford claims reduce friction by around 50% thanks to Teflon-infused oil.

It also gets tough yet lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms, long-travel front and rear suspension, and a refined Watt's Link rear end. When the going gets tough, the Ranger Raptor gets a helping hand from a new electronically-controlled two-speed transfer case and a total of 7 selectable driving modes; Normal, Sport, Slippery, Rock Crawl, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Baja.

With the next-generation Ranger Raptor still available with a diesel engine under the hood, perhaps this is what Ford Philippines has been waiting for. Since pickup truck owners prefer mostly turbo-diesel engines as opposed to turbo-gasoline, it seems Ford will likely bring the all-new Ranger Raptor with the EcoBlue 2.0L bi-turbo. More importantly, it allows Ford to maximize sharing of parts since the regular Ranger and Everest also make use of the 2.0-liter engine.

Do you think Ford Philippines will bring the new Ranger Raptor to the country now that it's available with diesel power? Chime in with your comments below.