2027 Ford Ranger Models Will Get The Raptor's Turbo V6

If you're shopping for a new Ford Ranger, there are plenty of reasons to consider stepping up to the Ranger Raptor: Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve shocks, a Watts-link rear suspension with trailing arms, and beefy 33-inch tires, just to name a few—and then there's the potent 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 pumping out 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. That's a pretty compelling package, but what if you want the power without all the off-road hardware? Well, for 2027, you might be able to get pretty darn close. According to our colleagues at Car and Driver, citing a report from Autoevolution, a reportedly leaked 2027 Ranger order guide suggests that the available 2.7-liter V-6 could be replaced by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, making 270 horsepower, would remain the standard engine in non-Raptor Ranger models. Ford hasn't announced output figures for the rumored 3.0-liter, but if it receives the same tune as the 2027 Bronco that ditches the 2.7-liter six-pot for the 3.0-liter version, it could produce 380 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The new 3.0-liter V-6 will reportedly be available in 2027 XLT and Lariat 4x4 models.

The Ford Bronco Raptor is a seriously impressive performance off-roader, but all that pace and capability comes at a price: $82,685, to be specific, and that’s before options. Since the basic Bronco is more than enough trail-readiness for the average buyer, that leaves some wanting the power of a “Braptor” without a need for the massive Fox shocks and other saurian bits. Ford may not be willing to sell exactly that package, but it now has those buyers covered with the next best thing. Starting in the 2027 model year, Ford will offer the Bronco Raptor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 as an option for Outer Banks, Badlands, and Heritage Edition trim levels of Bronco. This version of the engine is slightly detuned, offering 380 horsepower rather than the Raptor’s 414 hp, but it still adds some serious pace to more basic Broncos that previously saw max output come in the form of a turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 making 330 hp and 414 pound-feet of torque (versus the 440 lb-ft of the new engine). Buyers hoping to get a manual with that much force behind it will be disappointed, though; the Raptor V-6 can be had only with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

Back before we had gargantuan three-row SUVs to haul stuff around in, station wagons were often configured as utility vehicles. Prime example: the Ecto-1. Before it was re-tasked as an otherworldly urban assault vehicle, it served New York City as an ambulance. And while the Ghostbusters’ ride was effectively coach-built by Miller-Meteor using GM engines and underpinnings, other niche models, like this Volvo 245 Transfer, came that way straight from the factory. You’ll need to break out your browser’s translator (or speak Swedish) if you want to dive deep under the hood of this oddball long-roof model. The brochure showcases it as a taxi cab, but it was also marketed as a solution for rural ambulance and school bus services. According to Teknikens Värld, the added length made it both difficult to maneuver and more expensive to fill up if you drove it around town a lot, but that’s what you get for stretching out what was already a pretty long car in 1977.

Dubai’s police force maintains a special Luxury Tourist Patrol Fleet of police cars. In regular use, law enforcement gets around in various SUVs such as Toyota Land Cruisers and Nissan Patrols, but for both policing and polishing its public image, Dubai Police have a large fleet of fancy cars for tourists to see and photograph. Think about the Ferrari Testarossa that starred in Miami Vice, and then imagine if it had huge MIAMI POLICE stickers on it. Over a decade ago, a Bugatti Veyron was added to the fleet, making it the fastest police car on the planet. The 250-mph (400-km/h) supercar does most of its work parked in tourist spots, despite its top-speed capabilities: the fleet has now been upgraded with a vehicle that has even more power and the capacity to float. That’s right, the force now has a nearly 1,200-horsepower Yangwang U8.

New SUVs offer modern technology, fresh warranties, and improved fuel economy, but they don't always deliver the hardware needed for serious off-roading. For buyers willing to shop used, an older body-on-frame SUV can provide a more robust foundation, with proven four-wheel-drive systems and durable mechanical components designed to handle demanding terrain. Take the Lexus GX 460, for example, where a second-hand shopper can get V8 luxury for less than a new Ford Bronco Sport. The older vehicle may lack the latest infotainment features and driver assistance systems, but they can offer considerable long-term utility at a fraction of the cost of a new off-roader. That trade-off can make an older SUV a surprisingly compelling choice. The 2010–2015 Lexus GX 460 occupies an interesting price bracket in the used SUV market. Kelley Blue Bookestimates the fair purchase price of a 2010 GX 460 at approximately $13,750, while the 2015 model carries an estimated fair purchase price of around $21,390. Actual dealer asking prices vary according to mileage, condition, trim level, and service history, but well-selected examples can cost considerably less than a new Ford Bronco Sport.

Kia’s electric vehicles could soon be the ones pulling you over. Kia converted the EV5 and PV5 into patrol vehicles as part of its push for greener police cars. Meet the Kia PV5 and EV5 police vehicle concepts