SPY PICS: Ford's 2018 F-150 Raptor ute undisguised

We recently published spy photos of a camouflaged 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor ute, but this time the hot pickup is revealed without disguise while doing the rounds near Ford’s production facilities in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford’s monster ute has been on sale in the US in its current guise since 2016

Visually, the updated model looks much the same as the current generation. While the tailgate appears a little cleaner, the front looks completely unchanged.

The big news is underneath with word from Detroit indicating the 2018 Raptor will gain a new five-link, coil-spring rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

Otherwise, the 2018 edition of the Raptor looks set to continue with its mighty twin-turbo V6 powerhouse which, with 336kW and 691Nm, produces more power than the previous 6.2-litre V8. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The specialised nature of the Raptor is evident in the ‘Terrain Management System’ which allows the driver to select from six pre-set drive modes – including ‘Street’, ‘Baja’, ‘Mud’ and ‘Sand’ – to match driving dynamics to environmental conditions.

And what about a Raptor version of Australia’s tradie favourite, the Ford Ranger?

Ford has so far teased with statements indicating such a possibility could be on the radar, with Mr Tyrone Johnson, the chief engineer at

Ford Performance (which developed the F-150 Raptor and the likes of the Fiesta ST and Focus RS), stating recently: “If it makes money, if there’s a business case, then I’m sure the people responsible for it are discussing it. Sure, it could be considered.”

Reading between the lines, we’d say there’s a glimmer of encouragement for Ford fans and hot ute enthusiasts.