Ford has Raptized the 14th generation F-150, which is claimed to be the most off-road capable and connected Raptor ever. The 2021 F-150 Raptor is expected in the U.S. showrooms this summer. Also, the Raptor R is coming next year.
As for the looks, it manages to appear sporty compared to the typical workhorse truck looks of the regular F-150 models. There’s a Raptor-typical blacked-out front grille with Ford branding; sporty front bumper with real skid plate; functional hood scoop; blacked-out headlights and taillights; and a choice of three 17-inch wheels. I think it’s gonna be a tough choice between this and the Ram 1500 TRX when it comes to looks.
Front bumper mounted Rigid off-road lighting is optional. For the first time, the Raptor is available with either 35-inch or 37-inch tires; these BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires are claimed to offer maximum traction and handling. With 35-inch tires, Raptor clears 12-inch obstacles with an approach angle of 31-degrees, maximum departure angle of 23.9-degrees and breakover angle of 22.7-degrees, Ford said. The 37-inch tires boast 13.1-inches of running clearance, 33.1-degrees of approach angle, a maximum 24.9-degrees of departure angle and 24.4-degrees of breakover angle.
Other off-road credentials include a new five-link rear suspension with improved wheel travel, and electronically controlled next-generation Fox shocks with Live Valve technology. Apparently, they’re the largest-ever shocks on a Raptor.
Readings from suspension height sensors and other sensors around the truck change damping rates independently at each corner 500 times per second, with the shocks responding at the same speed the human brain processes visual information. The truck responds by the time the driver even registers a terrain change.
The cabin benefits from all the updates made on the regular F-150. Standard features include a 12-inch digital driver display and a 12-inch central infotainment display. Options include Recaro bucket seats, 360-degree camera package, 18-speaker B&O Unleashed sound system, and carbon fibre interior packages. Trail Control function is standard; it operates like cruise control for off-road use. Trail 1-Pedal Drive is also standard, which helps make extreme off-road driving such as rock crawling easier.
The Terrain Management System offers seven selectable drive modes, which include Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off-Road, Baja and Rock Crawl.
The new F-150 Raptor carries over the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and torque-on-demand transfer case. The engine’s output figures are yet to announced. Electronic locking rear differential is standard while a Torsen front limited-slip differential is optional. Also, the engine has been hooked up with an active valve dual exhaust system for a throatier note.
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