At the 2023 Manila International Auto Show, we were all mildly surprised to see the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor at the Ford Philippines stand.

Parked with its nose pointing to the sky, the bright-orange pick-up truck towered over the likes of the all-new Ford Territory, with Ford Philippines managing director Mike Breen saying that the Ranger Raptor will be coming to the country soon.

The old Ranger Raptor was a huge hit locally for offering the ultimate off-roading package straight out of the showroom, flared wheel arches, and all. But many are wondering what the new one will pack under the hood when it arrives on our shores.

Also Read: Diesel available! Next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor unveiled at Bangkok International Motor Show 2023

The 2023 Ranger Raptor is available with two powertrains in other markets:

• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve V6 gasoline engine – 397 PS and 583 Nm of torque

• Twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 diesel engine – 210 PS and 500 Nm of torque

Given a considerable difference in power and torque between the turbodiesel and the V6, many of you might wonder why the oil burner should still be offered and why Ford Philippines would consider it over the V6 gas mill.

But there are advantages to having a trusty turbodiesel under the hood, especially in the Philippine setting. Here are a few:

Cheaper fuel

Despite the wild fluctuations in oil prices over the past year, diesel fuel is now back to being cheaper than regular unleaded.

Although buyers of a twin-turbocharged pick-up truck may not necessarily care about fuel prices, having less expensive diesel in the tank certainly reduces long-term running costs.

The 2023 Ranger Raptor has an 80-liter fuel tank. Let’s assume that a regular owner would finish the entire tank in a month, which would mean 960 liters in a year.

Assuming that premium unleaded is at ₱62 a liter, while diesel is at ₱57 a liter, the turbodiesel owner spends ₱4,800 less every year purely from using cheaper fuel.

Better fuel economy

The point above becomes even more notable, given the differing fuel consumption figures of the two power plants.

In tests conducted in the UK, the Ranger Raptor V6 averages around 7 km/l, while the turbodiesel averages around 9 km/l. 

Expect these numbers to go way down in Philippine traffic, but it goes to show that there is a marked difference. You should also remember that diesels are also more fuel-efficient at idle than gasoline engines.

Easier to off-road

Although American off-road junkies may contend this, it cannot be denied that the characteristics of a diesel engine make them easier off the beaten track.

Turbodiesels produce much of their torque at a fairly low engine speed. When you take your Ranger Raptor off-roading, you only need to apply minimal power to get through obstacles.

Better for towing

Again, the low-end grunt of a turbodiesel makes it ideal for towing.

This is because towing typically involves driving from a dead stop to a low engine speed rather than revving the nuts off your engine. I remember seeing an old Ranger Raptor with a turbodiesel pulling a trailer with a 30-foot yacht perched on top.

In fact, the Ranger’s F-Series siblings remain available with turbodiesels in the U.S. to cater to private and commercial operators that need to haul heavy loads.

More durable

Even with the complication of common-rail fuel injection and engine management systems, diesels remain more robust than their gasoline siblings.

That’s because diesel engines use iron blocks to handle the huge pressures inside the cylinders. This means assuming proper maintenance for both engines; the diesel should outlast the V6.

But what if you want a screaming V6 under the hood, especially with its cheaper maintenance costs, stronger top-end acceleration, and smoother operation?

Then perhaps Ford Philippines should bring both engines in to satisfy everyone! But for now, we'll call the diesel for the Ph market, you know, just because. 

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