Is this for real?

[wireman]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/04/2026-ford-escape-raptor-debuts-as-ultimate-off-road-compact-cuv/#:~:text=In terms of output, the,of torque in this guise.

If so, the sport got thrown under the bus.

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[SnoopyBroncoSport]

I'd venture a guess and say no. It is April 1st after all.

 

[wireman]

Your probably right. But a nice concept.

 

[Warped9]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/04/2026-ford-escape-raptor-debuts-as-ultimate-off-road-compact-cuv/#:~:text=In terms of output, the,of torque in this guise.

If so, the sport got thrown under the bus.

I seriously doubt this is real.

A Raptor edition is very much a halo vehicle that draws attention to the entire lineup. This strikes me as too off-the-wall, beefing up a modest sized, character-less family hauler.

I just don’t see it.

 

[wireman]

At my age I don't pay much attention to the date. Just realize that it's daylight again, which is good enough.

 

[Bill G]

I won’t be holding my breath . . . think the “driving school” kinda’ gave it away

 

[Schuelady]

Nope!! Ford Authority did different April Fools jokes, including saying Ford was going to move all plants to Hawaii! I believed that one until I was pointed out to keep scrolling and it mentioned that article and other were April Fools jokes and hoped we enjoyed them!! ?

 

[Schuelady]

They said this!

 

[jkernitzki]

I’m guessing nobody read the entire article…

 

[B-Dog15]

I know the article is an April Fool’s prank but that Raptor Escape they mocked up actually looks so tough.

 

[rootdoc]

I won’t be holding my breath . . . think the “driving school” kinda’ gave it away

Many things throughout the article gave it away. Tim Barley, for one

 

[MJE]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/04/2026-lincoln-meridian-debuts-as-all-new-subcompact-luxury-van/

They certainly went all out with ’reveals’ for April 1! While the escape one made me laugh the hardest, this one isn’t entirely unbelievable for ROW markets especially when a Lexus van exists as they point out. Just a little bit more serious writing style in line with their ‘normal’ articles & this might even be Believable!

 

[MJE]

I know the article is an April Fool’s prank but that Raptor Escape they mocked up actually looks so tough.

Agree. They actually did a pretty good job at photoshop for it.

 

[rootdoc]

Maybe amidst the anxiety of looming tariffs, FMC is having some fun on April Fool's Day! I got a kick out of the creative writing and photoshop images.

 

[JamesT]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/04/2026-ford-escape-raptor-debuts-as-ultimate-off-road-compact-cuv/#:~:text=In terms of output, the,of torque in this guise.

If so, the sport got thrown under the bus.

bottom paragraph

If one hasn’t figured it out by now, the new Ford Escape Raptor is just part of our annual April Fools’ Day content, and will never see the light of day – at least, not that we know of, but we suppose you can never say never these days!

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