Ford just opened its order banks for the long-awaited 2023 Ranger Raptor, but only for European markets. Ford is already building the standard Ranger in global markets, but the Raptor production has been constrained by supply chain issues and delays. Americans will have to wait until next year for our first look at the high-performance midsize truck, but this is a step in the right direction.

The new Ranger Raptor gets Ford's 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, tuned to produce 392 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, but only in Australia and the United States. Other global markets see a variant with 284 horsepower and 362 lb-ft of torque. That engine will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive with lockers front and rear.

Underneath, the truck gets Fox Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks for better wheel travel and several off-road driving modes. Ford also equips a two-speed transfer case with the ability to shift on the fly. Ford prioritizes performance and off-road capability over traditional "truck stuff" like towing and hauling, so the Raptor won't make the best work truck. The regular Ranger is plenty capabl e and much, much cheaper.

Though Americans have had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Ranger over the years, the rest of the world has enjoyed the truck as a constant companion. Rangers are popular pickups in places like South Africa and Australia, and those nations have been the recipients of the best and most powerful versions of the pickup.

The new truck hasn't hit the trails yet, but there's already speculation that Ford could add a hybrid option later on. There is also the possibility that, along with the rest of the Ranger lineup, the Ranger Raptor will receive some form of electrification in the years ahead.

Remember, though Ford won't let VW have the Raptor, the Ranger forms the basis of the Amarok pickup, which we know will go electric in the future, so it's likely just a matter of time before Ford takes the Ranger in the direction of the F-150 Lightning.