Ford Motor Company has started production of the Ranger Raptor. Deep in the details are clues about how much it’ll cost here in America.

Left-hand drive Ranger Raptors are rolling off assembly lines overseas, complete with Fox Racing dampers and meaty 285/70/17 BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. It is shown in the video having a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel being plunked between its frame rails. This is paired to a 10-speed automatic.

Check out is 90-second clip from Ford Australia documenting the build process of the truck from start to finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPfTjT6Uj4

Interestingly, a gearhead website in New Zealand puts the Ranger Raptor’s price at $84,900 in their country, a sum that currently converts to approximately $55,000 in Freedom Dollars. That’s about the starting of a F-150 Raptor SuperCrew.

Other models, like the Escape and Focus, are priced about 15% higher in New Zealand than here in the States. Using that yardstick, the Ranger Raptor should sticker for a bundle under fifty large in this country, perhaps at $44,995. Don’t expect too much cash on the hood, either.

Your humble author refuses to call the Ranger Raptor a ‘Baby Raptor’, as there isn’t anything baby about its dimensions. Vehicle stance is noticeably bigger from every angle, standing 73.7 inches tall, 85.8 inches wide, and 212.5 inches long. Both front and rear track measurements grow to 67.3 inches. If I ever do slip and call it that, feel free to call me out. Expect plenty of Jurassic Park reference, though.

ALSO SEE: Ranger Raptor Spied on Michigan Streets

Compared to a standard Ranger, ground clearance is increased to just over 11 inches, while the approach angle of 32.5 degrees, breakover angle of 24 degrees, and departure angle of 24 degrees compare well to other competitors in the segment. An all-new Watt’s linkage rear suspension with coilover rear springs is said to ensure lateral stability of the solid rear axle in gnarly off-road situations while also improving ride and handling.

Ranger Raptor’s suspension has been crafted to tackle undulating terrain at high-speed while remaining in complete control and comfort. Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s a trick its big brother can do quite well, too. The Position Sensitive Damping shock absorbers are said to provide higher damping forces at full jounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities. Lower forces in the mid-travel zone should provide a comfy ride during on-road trips. Internal Bypass technology strikes again, as it does in the Colorado ZR2.

The truck also deploys a Terrain Management System, allowing drivers to select different driving modes though a five-button switch on the steering wheel. Normal and Sport modes are designed for on-road fun. Off the beaten track one can select either Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock, or Baja modes.

When it appears on this side of the pond, we are definitely looking forward to trying the Ranger Raptor for ourselves. Stay tuned.