Ford Ranger Raptor ute will start at $74,990

Ford has confirmed its highly anticipated new Ranger Raptor will begin at $74,990, making it the most expensive ute in its class currently on the Australian market. 

The Raptor, which is expected to hit showrooms later this year, boasts a bi-turbo four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine which generates 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford says the Raptor's "powertrain was chosen to deliver ultimate responsiveness with minimum weight".

The hefty price tag puts it about $6000 more than rival Holden's HSV Colorado SportsCat+ and $6500 pricier than Volkswagen's Amarok V6 Ultimate.

"This is a fully warranted, factory performance vehicle," the Ranger Raptor's chief program engineer Damien Ross told caradvice.com.au.

"While Raptor DNA calls for extreme performance, the vehicle must meet the regulations, demands and expectations in terms of ownership experience that all of our products are measured by.

"That's no mean feat."

But its place at the top of the big ute pecking order won't last, with Holden set to soon begin offering the Chevrolet Silverado - a US-style truck that will likely cost up to $145,000 with all the extras.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz's upcoming flagship X-Class V6 ute is expected to start at about $84,000.