Here’s why Ford won’t allow VW to offer a Raptor-based Volkswagen Amarok super-ute
Ford has rejected many requests from Volkswagen to add the new 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor to its product sharing agreement, declaring the Australian-developed high-performance ute a crown jewel that must be protected.
The next-generation 2023 Volkswagen Amarok is closely based on the soon-to-launch 2022 Ford Ranger as part of a wide-ranging deal that will also see Ford use VW’s EV architecture and the two companies crosspollinate their commercial van efforts.
The new Amarok, which will debut later this year and goes on sale in Australia early in 2023, will be based on Ford’s Aussie-developed third-generation T6 ladder-frame architecture and will use Ford powertrains including the Ranger’s 3.0-litre ‘Lion’ turbo-diesel V6.
But the Ford Performance-developed Raptor, which goes on sale in Australia in July, has been ruled off limits to the German manufacturer.
The second-generation super-ute includes a heap of new performance kit including a 292kW twin-turbo petrol V6. It swaps to a permanent 4×4 system and upgrades to adaptive Fox dampers.
A 2.0-litre turbo-diesel version aimed at Asian and European markets continues on as well. It gets the upgraded BorgWarner transfer case but sticks with passive Fox shocks.
“Raptor is one of the crown jewels of the company just like F-150,” Ali Jammoul, Ford’s global vehicle director for vehicle programs, Icons and Ford Performance, told carsales during a visit to Australia to review the new ute.
“The capability we have and how much it takes to get to this level is hard to attain.
“Not everyone knows how to do these vehicles, not everyone knows how to take engine power and integrate it with vehicle and chassis dynamics DNA.
“So we want to protect it … I am happy that the decision [not to share with VW] went that way.”
Securing the Raptor as part of its deal would have been a coup for VW, as Ford remains the only mid-size ute manufacturer to seriously explore the performance segment.
The original Raptor proved a huge success and the new model will go to the US for the first time, launching mid-2023.
VW’s keenness to secure Raptor was confirmed by T6 engineering chief Ian Foston.
“They’ve asked many times and we have politely declined on many occasions,” he told carsales.
“That’s not part of the deal. We made it very clear from the get-go that was out of bounds.”
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Keyword: Hands off: Ford Ranger Raptor not for Volkswagen