Sunday 15 May 2016

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor In-Depth: Twin Turbos, 10-Speed Gearbox ( 2016 ford raptor )

 
 2016 ford raptor 
From the March 2015 difficulty of vehicle and driver

Ford’s first F-150 Raptor hit like a meteorite when it made its debut for 2010—sudden, incredible, and sudden. It became the first authentic high-carry out­ance off-street pickup with a factory warranty, a proud totem of badassery. Advanced by using Ford’s special car team, it by some means survived each the Baja one thousand barren region race and the worst monetary faceplant in current history to turn out to be an authorized critical and commercial achievement, despite the fact that many a Raptor in no way set a wheel off-street. We expect extra of the equal now that a brand new, lighter F-a hundred and fifty platform will underpin Ford’s exurban pre-runner.

Whilst many information are nonetheless guarded, the second-gen truck will release in autumn 2016 as a 2017 version under the new Ford overall performance banner. So it’s simply called the F-150 Raptor now. It’s additionally extra very well engineered as a unique car unto itself; Ford has given it a devoted chassis and powertrain to go together with the special bodywork.

The Raptor’s new boxed metallic body is reinforced from the regular F-150’s and could are available in two sizes: the sportier 133-inch-wheelbase SuperCab and the roomier 145-inch SuperCrew. Despite the beefier frame, Ford claims that the new truck’s aluminum frame (in addition to the composite hood and the front ­fenders) allows trim 500 pounds from its pred­ecessor’s curb weight. Thinking about the final Raptor SuperCab we tested weighed 6100 kilos, we’re strongly in choose of the eating regimen.

Not is there a huge, iron-block V-8 beneath the hood, in order that must keep a few weight right there. Yes, parents; the 2017 Raptor is EcoBoost only and the primary recipient of a second-generation three.5-liter V-6 with dual turbochargers and direct gas injection. Ford says the high-powered EcoBoost engines it develops for sports activities-automobile racing influenced some of the production V-6’s enhancements, such as a new aluminum block and updates to the fuel gadget, cylinder heads, and internals. To similarly improve airflow, the high-output engine exhales thru a real twin-exhaust gadget with twin shops notched in the rear bumper.

We’ll omit the roar of the old 6.2-liter V-eight, but Ford promises that the Raptor’s new turbo six can be more green and soundly trump the V-8’s 411 horsepower and 434 pound-ft of torque. We don’t recognize yet by way of how much, but expect hundreds of torque and at least 450 ponies.

Mated to the Raptor’s engine might be the first software of Ford’s 10-pace automated transmission and a brand new 4-wheel-force transfer case, so as to paintings with a terrain-mode system to configure the truck for varying conditions (dust, snow, rocks, and so forth.). Controlled thru steering-wheel buttons and a menu in the cluster, the machine will tailor the traits of the engine, drivetrain, stability control, and more to assist weekend warriors get the maximum from their Raptors with out rolling them down hillsides.

All of this indicates not anything off-road, however, with out a proper suspension. New additives are decidedly robust and wider than before, with mammoth aluminum control arms up the front, specially tuned springs (coils in front, leafs in again), and 3.0-inch inner-skip Fox Racing shocks in place of the old 2.5s. Ford is coy on details, saying handiest that suspension travel is extra than the preceding truck’s 11.2 inches in front and 12.1 on the rear, which became already enough for ninety-mph blasts via the barren region.

Part of the previous Raptor’s appeal became that it had rather respectable avenue manners considering its core project and giant tires. Whilst the brand new truck could have comparable shoes as before—new 17-inch wheels with 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s—we’re instructed to count on a much smoother, more composed journey. Given the refinements we’ve already skilled riding the new F-one hundred fifty, we have no purpose to doubt it.
Left: Fatter inner-skip Fox Racing shocks mounted here on improbably easy suspension components.

There’s additionally no question that the new Raptor seems the component, all toned and buff in its alloy skin. It’s extra than only a slab-sided F-one hundred fifty with fender flares now; its haunches are a great deal extra outstanding than the vintage truck’s. They’re about as extensive as before, or kind of as broad as one and a half Fiat 500s, in large part to clean the large tires and beefier suspension.

The Raptor’s proud “FORD” grille and array of marker lights continue to be, however they’re now framed in a layout extra finessed than the blocky first-gen truck’s. Small front and rear bumpers improve technique and departure angles, especially the pinched-up rear give up, which lends a true desert-racer appearance. The giant front skid plate, the front fender vents, and elective mattress decals bring over, however with evolved designs.
It really is a badass 10-velocity.

Our first look at a preproduction 2017 Raptor’s indoors found out deeply strengthened sport seats up the front with contrasting stitching; some carbon-fiber accents; and a meaty, contoured steering wheel with large paddle shifters. Anticipate plenty of “Raptor” trademarks, as well as greater typical comfort and luxury than earlier than, with all of a cutting-edge truck’s alternatives and safety equipment.

The authentic Raptor’s successful four-12 months run made it the best-extent SVT vehicle ever, with production nearly maxed out. It unfolded new markets, along with the middle East and several government businesses. With out sharing extent specifics, Ford says all the previous buyers need to be able to upgrade to the brand new truck, and that there probable can be manufacturing ability to be had to appease extra new proprietors. Pricing info is further murky, but the first F-150 Raptor’s relative accessibility—approximately forty six grand to begin in 2014—turned into key to its allure. Don’t anticipate a large soar in fee; we assume base vans will begin round $50,000, and loaded SuperCrews ought to reach 60 huge.

In that case, in order to nonetheless be a good deal for what you get. The Raptor comes from a hardy bloodline inside the F-150. And it’s lighter now, so it is able to fly even farther.

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