- F-150 Raptor makes its China debut, bringing unmatched levels of off-road excitement and performance to the world’s largest auto market
- Raptor-exclusive high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission produces the power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V6
- All-new Terrain Management System with six pre-set modes enables drivers to optimize driving dynamics in all conditions
Roaring on to the stage at Auto China 2016, the all-new F-150 Raptor brings a new level of capability to China’s off-road enthusiasts. Unmatched by any other auto manufacturer, the high-performance off-road pickup will be available in China from Ford in 2017.
The F-150 Raptor is unique among off-road and performance vehicles, with a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension – all of which enable it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain, from Baja to the Gobi Desert.
“The F-150 Raptor represents the very best of what Ford can accomplish with our world-class engineering and design teams, and our long history of building tough, capable and versatile trucks,” said Jamal Hameedi, global chief program engineer, Ford Performance. “We are thrilled to offer our customers in China the chance to experience new levels of off-road performance with the all-new Raptor.”
The Raptor’s aggressive exterior design is inspired by Ford’s heritage in performance off-road racing, including Best in the Desert, the Lucas Oil off-road racing series, and the famous Baja 1000.
The Raptor is 15 cm wider than the standard F-150, which creates a more purposeful stance while also improving stability off-road.
While the exterior design of the F-150 Raptor is about projecting an image, the interior design is about creating a comfortable place for driver and passengers to enjoy their time, both on- and off-road.
Advanced materials – including a high-strength steel fully boxed frame and high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body – help to improve durability while greatly reducing the weight of the Raptor for improved off-road prowess. Combined with all-new EcoBoost engine technology, the F-150 Raptor has a power-to-weight ratio that makes the truck even more agile off-road.
Brains and brawn
The F-150 Raptor is powered by Ford’s new, second-generation high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine – a Raptor exclusive. It produces more power with greater efficiency than the previous generation’s 6.2-liter V8, which was rated at 306 kW of power and 588 Nm of torque. The new engine is paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency.
Advanced technologies help drivers to travel off-road across varying terrain with greater confidence. An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case manages power distribution between the front and rear wheels. It combines 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.
The F-150 Raptor’s pioneering off-road driving mode technology has evolved in the new Raptor into an all-new Terrain Management System that enables the driver to select modes to optimize driving dynamics to environmental conditions – from snow to mud, sand and more.
Six preset modes help the truck power through different terrain and driving conditions:
- Normal mode for everyday driving
- Street mode for higher-performance, on-road driving
- Weather mode for rain, snow or ice
- Mud and Sand mode for muddy and sandy trails and terrain
- Baja mode for high-speed desert running
- Rock mode for low-speed rock crawling
Legendary capability
An available Torsen front differential increases off-road capability further. The system enhances front-end grip significantly and allows the F-150 Raptor to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades – even when traction is split between the front tires.
The F-150 Raptor comes standard with new FOX Racing shock absorbers with custom internal bypass technology that works to damp and stiffen suspension travel over rough terrain, helping to prevent the truck from bottoming out. Large-diameter front and rear shock canisters are designed to improve performance and increase suspension travel.
The F-150 Raptor also boasts a dual-exhaust system and new 430 mm wheels with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires designed for off-road performance.
“The F-150 Raptor is the ultimate showcase of the tough capability available throughout Ford’s family of trucks and SUVs,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. “By introducing it to the world’s largest auto market, we hope to inspire a new generation of off-road enthusiasts, and demonstrate how we are always bringing our customers new innovations.”
The all-new F-150 Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan, USA, and be available in China in 2017.