The 2015 Ford F-150 made history with its high-strength aluminum construction, EcoBoost engine, and wealth of technology, resulting in the toughest, smartest, and most capable pickup that Ford has ever produced. This is no trifling thing; the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in the United States for decades, and every year gives us more to love and more to anticipate from the next model year. In 2010, truck nuts were given something beautiful: an F-150 that was designed from square one to be an off-road monster. The Ford Raptor was incredibly well-received, even if many that were sold would never see any time off road. Now, Ford has announced the new generation of Raptor that will be available for the 2017 model year.
Ford’s newly minted performance division, simply named Ford Performance, has a compelling roster of new vehicles due out over the next five years, and the Raptor is easily one of the most exciting. The changes that Ford has made go beyond merely carrying over the updates from the new generation of F-150 trucks: the 2017 Ford Raptor has a lot of new things to be excited about in its own right.
Chief among these is the all-new twin turbo 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine, which is slated to turn out significantly greater power and torque than the outgoing V8. The new engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, also brand new for the 2017 Raptor. Its four-wheel-drive capability and numerous selectable drive modes mean that the new Ford Raptor will be prepared for any terrain or road conditions. 35-inch tires will provide a smoother, more composed ride over rough terrain. The completely new suspension system rides on robust Fox Racing shocks and tuned springs, a significant improvement over the previous systems. Add to that the fact that the new 2017 Raptor is more than 500 pounds lighter than its predecessor and it is clear that the new version is a completely distinct machine from those that came before.
For an in-depth look at the beastly 2017 Raptor, check out this video from The Fast Lane Truck’s YouTube channel. They witnessed the unveiling of the new Raptor from the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year and got to talk with Tony Greco, Ford’s Program Manager for the Raptor.