The new chassis includes IRS.

Ford has taken a bold step in motorsports with a familiar-looking Ranger, but it’s been completely redesigned under the skin. The truck will compete for the South African Cross Country Series in the highest FIA class. But could this technology make it to North America for the next-generation Ranger? We’ll get to that in a moment.

Ford previously campaigned Rangers for South Africa in the South African series. They had a fleet with a 5.0-liter V8 engine and solid-axle rear springs. This Ranger’s new race-spec version uses a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine from the F150 Raptor. It’s also housed in an updated chassis, which moves the engine further back to allow for a mid-mount configuration. A fully independent setup at each corner delivers 11 inches of travel and replaces the solid axle at its back. The power goes to all four wheels. To reduce that power, there are six-piston Brembo brake calipers in the front and water-cooled at the rear.

Ford will eventually release three of these racing Rangers in 2020. Race teams will start with the V8-powered trucks, and then transition to the new models as they become available. Ford admits 2020 will be a learning year for the racing series, but it is not impossible to begin somewhere.

To return to the question we asked early on, is a brand new Ranger that will be available in global markets by 2021. It will be available in the U.S. by 2022. But could this race truck offer a glimpse of what’s next? A fully independent suspension, even for the Raptor model, is highly unlikely. Although it’s great for performance driving, most truck buyers will not be jumping over dunes in Baja. A solid rear axle is the best choice for everyday use.

However, the engine is not something you should rule out. The only available mill in North America is an EcoBoost four-cylinder with 270 horsepower (201 Kilowatts). Since its return, rumors have swirled that a newer model might be available, particularly with the unveiling the fifth-generation model.

It remains to be determined if that is a V8 engine or an EcoBoost V6. Ranger fans will be interested to see this truck run the same engine as its bigger Raptor sibling.