FORD F-150 SVT RAPTOR NAMED 2009 ‘TRUCK OF TEXAS;’ FORD WORK SOLUTIONS WINS ‘OUTSTANDING FEATURE’
DALLAS, Oct. 18, 2009 ““ The all-new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is much more than an off-road performance truck capable of taking on the toughest terrain a customer can throw its way. According to the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), it’s also the one and only 2009 “Truck of Texas,” the seventh consecutive time a Ford truck has won the award. Additionally, Raptor was named best “Full-size Pickup Truck.”
“Winning the Truck of Texas is a distinct honor,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company. “Texans know their trucks, and this award is further proof of why the F-150 remains America’s number-one selling pickup. We built F-150 SVT Raptor for truck enthusiasts. And we’re gratified it’s gaining recognition for both its unequaled off-road performance and confidence-inspiring on-road demeanor.”
Ford trucks also took the “Truck Line of Texas,” a distinguished honor recognizing the best-in-class capability and durability of Ford’s best-selling F-Series lineup.
Another top honor, “Outstanding Feature,” went to Ford Work Solutions, a suite of productivity technologies developed for the commercial truck owner. The system includes an in-dash computer that connects with the home office; Tool Link that keeps track of costly tools and equipment; Cable Lock, which locks up tools in the open truck box; and Crew Chief, a telematics system, giving the fleet manager more control of his/her fleet of vehicles.
Ford’s 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor is a purpose-built, high-speed off-road truck that is ready for adventure ““ while also being versatile enough to handle the daily commute. To test the capability and durability of Raptor, Ford took a modified pre-production Raptor to the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this past November. The early-build Raptor not only survived Baja, it earned a podium finish in its class.
Key enablers to the Raptor’s impressive performance are functional design cues and impressive suspension technology. The Raptor is seven inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance.
Internal triple-bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox ““ the first on a production truck ““ provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme off-roading and a smooth ride on the road. In addition to the shocks, Raptor has unique cast-aluminum front control arms and SVT-tuned 35-inch BFGoodrich® All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires. These components give Raptor 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear suspension travel.
The F-150 SVT Raptor comes standard with the proven 5.4-liter SOHC V-8 engine that produces up to 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. In early 2010 customers will have the option of an even more powerful new 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
Customer anticipation has been extremely high, with 3,000 orders already received for the 5.4-liter F-150 SVT Raptor. In fact, initial dealer orders have the Dearborn Truck Plant building Raptors at maximum capacity, reflecting the strong demand for the first-ever factory high-speed off-road truck.
Starting price for the F-150 SVT Raptor is $38,995 including destination and delivery charges. It is currently on sale at Ford dealerships.
In total, Ford won eight of 18 awards, including Lincoln MKX as "Mid-size CUV," Ford Flex as "Full-size CUV," and Ford F-150 King Ranch as "Luxury Pick-up Truck," and Ford Expedition as "Full-size SUV."
