Of the numerous models that Ford makes, the F-150 Raptor represents the pinnacle of off-road prowess- with a serious dose of speed to boot. It blends the ruggedness of a serious pick up truck with the speed of a sports car in order to produce something quite uniquely American. It is perhaps the closest thing to a Dakar rally car that one could purchase for road use.
It helps to remember that pick up trucks in America are massive affairs. The pick up vehicles we have locally pale in comparison, being too small to be seriously considered for the American market. This new F-150 Raptor continues with the themes of the one before, but with some serious engineering effort in order to improve and evolve.
The new F-150 Raptor is lighter thanks to an aluminium exterior, shedding 500 pounds of weight in the process. The materials used are military-grade- a little overkill for consumer applications but it adds to the image and appeal of the F-150 Raptor. It is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that produces more power with greater efficiency than the current 6.2-liter V8, which is rated at 411 horsepower. The first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost proved its mettle off-road – racing in the original F-150 EcoBoost Torture Test truck in the 2010 Baja 1000, as well as notching repeated wins in off-road race series. The high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost is exclusive to the F-150 Raptor within the F-150 range, and will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency.
An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case, with an advanced, easier-to-use version of off-road mode driver-assist technology will also be featured. The F-150 Raptor’s new transfer case, which manages power distribution between the front and rear wheels, combines the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive. The new Raptor features calibration changes to its powertrain, driveline, traction control, ABS and AdvanceTrac stability control for optimal performance. There are six preset modes for the truck depending on terrain and driving conditions, from Normal and Street to Baja and Rockcrawler, on opposite ends of the driving spectrum.
F-150 Raptor comes standard with new FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology that works todamp and stiffen suspension travel over rough terrain to help prevent the truck from bottoming out. Front and rear shock canisters have grown from 2.5 inches to 3 inches in diameter for improved performance. They feature more suspension travel than the current Raptor’s 11.2 inches at the front and 12 inches at the rear. Advanced LED lighting and camera technology contribute to improved visibility on the trail or street – day and night.
The all-new Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant, and goes on sale fall 2016.
