---
title: "Ford Ranger Raptor Should Have Gas Power in U.S., Ford Boss Says"
description: "The smaller Raptor is diesel-powered in Asia but may run on gas if it comes to the U.S."
date: "2018-02-09"
modified: "2018-02-09"
authors:
  - name: "Justin Hughes"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/justin-hughes"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/18375/ford-ranger-raptor-should-have-gas-power-in-u-s-ford-boss-says"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Ford"
  - "New Car News"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "pickup"
  - "Ranger"
  - "Ranger Raptor"
---

# Ford Ranger Raptor Should Have Gas Power in U.S., Ford Boss Says

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/02/raptor-stills_outdoor_3__print-e1518024495553.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Americans are already excited about the return of the Ford Ranger. One more reason to get excited about it is the [Ranger Raptor](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/18304/the-ford-ranger-raptor-is-real-but-is-it-coming-to-america>), which will be released first in Asia. Ford's Global Performance Vehicle Chief Engineer, Jamal Hameedi, [told *Drive*](<https://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/petrol-engine-likely-for-us-ranger-raptor-117195.html>) (not us) that if a version of the Ranger Raptor comes to the U.S., it will likely be powered by a gas engine, not diesel.

"Raptors are a slam dunk for the U.S.," Hameedi told *Drive*. "I think it \[the Ranger Raptor\] would do really well in the States."

But due to [a certain diesel emissions cheating scandal](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/14971/dieselgate-stirs-controversy-as-porsche-seeks-235-million-in-damages-from-audi>), diesel engines have lost favor in passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S. However, the [Chevy Colorado ZR2](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/13761/2017-chevrolet-colorado-zr2-review-finally-a-right-sized-off-road-pickup-truck-warrior>), which would be the closest competitor to the Ranger Raptor, does offer a diesel version.

"It’s the suspension. It is so incredible \[with\] the Watt’s link," Hameedi said. "It really is the best-handling pickup truck I’ve driven and not by an insignificant margin. I think it would go pretty well in America."

We asked Ford about the possibility of a Ranger Raptor in the U.S., but Matt Leaver of Ford Performance Communications had no comment on a Ranger Raptor for the U.S. at this time.

"We'll have more to share about Ranger Raptor at a later date," he said. Indeed, we're still waiting for [the standard Ranger](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17663/ford-reveals-the-2019-ranger-at-north-american-international-auto-show>) to make its re-appearance here. Ford will likely want to focus on that before possibly introducing a Raptor version here later on.

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://facebook.com/justinhughesrfd>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/justinhughes54>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/justinhughes54>)