The Ford Raptor Returns, But Without a V8
The Ford Raptor has returned, but it’s not packing a V8 under the hood.
The all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew is being billed as the “toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever,” and is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that promises to deliver more than the 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque the current V8 has to offer. Unfortunately, the American automaker didn’t release exact specifications on the powerplant, but did say that it will be mated to a 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency. In addition, the Raptor features an all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case with advanced, easy-to-use off-road driver-assist technology.
The new transfer case helps manage power distribution between the front and rear wheels, combining the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive to send power to the wheels in slippery conditions.
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As expected, the new Raptor is “developed with the DNA of a Baja race truck,” and its exterior shows it. The SuperCrew model features four full-size doors and rides on a 145-inch wheelbase, making it 12 inches longer than the standard Raptor SuperCab’s 133-inch wheelbase.
Perhaps the biggest news is that the new Raptor will weigh up to 500 pounds less than the outgoing model thanks to the use of aluminum. The new pickup will also boast its first-ever dual exhaust and new 17-inch wheels paired with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires.
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will go on sale in the U.S. and Canada this fall.
“F-150 Raptor means superior off-road capability, from rock crawling to sand running,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director. “With the addition of SuperCrew, F-150 Raptor customers can leave the pavement behind – without sacrificing comfort and space.”
Discuss this story on our Ford Raptor Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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So Ford makes the engine smaller, and the wheelbase larger - why? The new CAFE standards. This is the consumer truck industry today. It's the reason why you can't buy a standard 2-door cab, short bed pickup any longer. Myself, I don't give a damn about four doors, I don't care about extra space behind my seat. I want a truck - not a station wagon in truck clothing. I don't have kids, nor do I want them (THANK $DEITY!). My wife can sit in the passenger seat just fine. If I need tools or other such things, that's why truck toolboxes exist (and hello - there's a large empty space in the back - it's a truck, right?). What I want is a short wheelbase - like I had with my Bronco (and before that, with my Ranger, and currently, with my Isuzu VehiCROSS). My current pickup is '96 GMC 1500 extended cab. I didn't buy it - I inherited it from my father (got it in 2009 with 30k on the odo - who wouldn't keep a free, almost new truck that's paid off? You'd be a fool!). I bought my VX because I wanted a daily driver without the huge wheelbase like I have on the GMC (that, and I am in love with that car - as a plus, it's a pretty exclusive ride). Give me a wheelbase around 100 inches! But it ain't gunna happen - not any longer. Heck, get ready for the Jeep Wrangler to either "grow fat and long" - or just disappear altogether. All because of new CAFE standards. You might wonder what I am talking about - well, under new CAFE standards, there's a loophole for automakers - calculations are done not based on anything logical, but by the amount of area between the wheels; the more area you have, the less efficient the vehicle can be while not causing a "fleetwide" EPA emissions increase. Sure - they could instead develop higher efficiency engines, reduce the weight of the vehicle, etc - but when it comes to trucks, that's apparently a very difficult thing to do (or - if it is possible, the truck becomes so expensive that no one in their right mind would buy one). But if they make the wheelbase larger by lengthening the wheelbase, and making it wider - that, coupled with a smaller engine, plus other weight saving measures - means they can "cheat and beat" the system. Unfortunately, you end up with vehicles nearly impossible to park in a standard parking space (or leave one) without making a 10-point turnaround (though including the camera assist systems help). I currently park in a tight parking garage at my work; when all the spaces are full, it is very difficult for me to back out while making sure I don't hit anybody else's car (which are invariably high-priced luxury vehicles). I make sure to park my truck next to a disabled parking space (which is rarely occupied - but I do leave them plenty of room, because they need it) - so I can have maximum run to back up and turn sharply. I don't have a camera assist either to help (I need to get one installed). With my VX - I don't have to worry about that, because of it's tiny wheelbase (and insane steering angle) I can almost turn inside a 12-foot circle. One of these days, though, I'm going to have to get another truck - and I am not sure what I am going to do at that point. It's already virtually impossible to find a standard cab pickup today on the used market (nevermind the new market!) - what is available is either virtually destroyed and not worth driving as a daily - or has multiple rotations of the odo as to make you wonder if it will last another mile or two on the road. The only remaining option is to buy whatever "extended cab" long-wheelbase truck there is, and have it customized into something more sane. Which I am sure is a very inexpensive process. Yeah...right.
yuck. They're ruining the Raptor.