The Ford Performance kit includes a K&N high-flow drop-in air filter and the equipment needed to upload the new engine and transmission tune. The company claims an extra 45 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 60 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Ford also told us the peak output numbers for the Ranger. It makes an impressive 320 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque, big upgrades over the regular Ranger's rating of 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The tune also updates the shift timing and characteristics for the Ranger's 10-speed automatic, apparently giving it "crisper, more precise shifts."

The Mustang kit isn't as ground-breaking, as it's basically the same kit for the 2015 to 2017 models, but now available for 2018 to 2020. In addition to the tuning equipment, it comes with a high-flow intake with cone filter, as well as a larger 87-mm throttle body and adapter. Peak horsepower rises from 460 to 479, and peak torque jumps to 438 from 420. The car also sees gains across the rev band, and Ford touts an extra 42 pound-feet of torque at just 2,000 rpm. Just like the Ranger kit, these Mustang parts are 50-state legal and warrantied with certified installers.

Both kits should be available to purchase soon, either through your local Ford dealer or Ford Performance catalog and website. The Ranger kit costs $825, and the Mustang kit costs $1,275, no doubt due to the additional parts included.

Ford Europe announced today the launch of the Ford Ranger Thunder, a limited-edition variant of the popular midsize pickup truck. Scheduled to release strictly in Europe, the Thunder will feature distinct visual accents and a power upgrade and will be held to less than 5,000 units.

The Ford Ranger was launched in Europe in 1998, and in that time, the Thunder moniker popped up twice before. The first Ranger Thunder debuted in 2003, and the second-generation Thunder debuted in 2009. For 2020, the third-gen Thunder is more aggressive than ever.

The new Thunder starts out as a Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab, one step down from the top-of-the-line Raptor, but its heart is not the same. Rather than the 197-horsepower 3.2 L Duratorq five-cylinder diesel paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the Thunder has the Raptor's powertrain, a 210-horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel engine that makes 369 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

As far as looks go, the Thunder is available only in Sea Gray paint. Red accents are seen on the grille nostrils, the rear bed sport bar, and the Thunder badges on the side of the truck and on the tailgate. Several parts of the exterior have been blacked out, as well, including the darkened taillight bezels, darkened headlight bezels, grille, rear bumper, skid plates, fog light surroundings, door handles, and 18-inch wheels. Also available is an optional black Mountain Top roller shutter with a bedliner divider.

Inside, Ebony black leather is broken up with "Thunder" red embroidery. Contrast red stitching has been added to the steering wheel, seats, and instrument panel, and the illuminated sill plates have a red theme.

Limited to just 4,500 units, 1,400 for the U.K., the Ranger Thunder is priced at $40,212 by current conversion rates.

Ford chose not to sell the Ranger Raptor (pictured) in the United States because it decided American motorists seeking a quick truck riding on a Baja-ready suspension can take home an F-150. It has changed its mind, according to a recent report, and it's preparing an America-bound variant of the next baby Raptor tentatively due out in 2021.

Engineers are currently developing the pickup, which will be twinned with the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok. It's being designed with the American market in mind from the get-go. As we've previously reported, the fact that we confirmed there are North American employees working on the truck suggests it's coming here.

Australian website CarExpert posted a screenshot of what looks like a Raptor test mule's build sheet. The VIN displayed on the screen corresponds to a 2021 Ranger (so a 2022 model in the United States) powered by a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that spins the four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Although the six's output isn't listed, the publication believes Ford will use two turbochargers to dial in 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the current Ranger's 2.3-liter turbo four makes 270 horses and 310 pound-feet of twist, while Hennessey's limited-edition VelociRaptor increases these numbers to 360 and 440, respectively.

Elsewhere, the Raptor will get either a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. Ford isn't opposed to the idea of putting an oil burner in a pickup, as the 14th-generation F-150 will again be available with a turbodiesel V6, but nothing suggests our version of the Raptor will offer anything but a gasoline-powered engine.

Like the F-150, the Ranger Raptor will receive a long list of desert-taming modifications such as a Fox suspension, bigger tires, skid plates, and a stronger frame. Expect a long list of visual changes inside and out (including a model-specific front-end design and extra plastic cladding) to further set it apart from the standard truck.

Ford is keeping its lips sealed when it comes to the next-generation Ranger, so it's nowhere near ready to talk about whether a Raptor model will finally join the range. We hear the truck will make its global debut in 2021, and it will arrive in showrooms as a 2022 model, so we should learn more about it in the coming months. And while the new F-150 will again spawn a Raptor version, Ford is again making enthusiasts wait to learn more about it as well.