2017 Ford Raptor: Roundup of What We Know
We’re halfway through August of 2017, and getting closer and closer to the official launch of the 2017 Ford Raptor. Here’s what we know so far about the truck, and what we still don’t know about Ford’s high-flying off-roader.
We know that the truck will arrive in dealerships sometime later this year as a 2017 model. You can already order the truck from your dealerships now — the order banks are open — and we also know that to get in a Raptor it’ll set you back at least $48,325. That’s for the base SuperCab model.
We know that, like the regular F-150, the new Raptor uses space-age aluminum for the body and a high-strength, fully-boxed steel frame to hold it all together. On the Raptor, the weight savings amount to around 500 pounds.
The new Raptor has a new version of the Fox Racing suspension that provides more ground clearance and better control.
The new Raptor is powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine making more horsepower than the regular 3.5L. According to Forza 6 on Xbox One, that’s 450 horsepower. But…
We still don’t know horsepower and torque for the new truck.
We do know that whatever power is made is sent to all four wheels via Ford’s newest 10-speed automatic transmission. This transmission was originally co-designed with General Motors, but is manufactured by Ford, and will find its way into all the 2017 F-150 models.
Additionally, we know that there’s a new terrain response system on the Raptor to help you off-road. One of the modes is called “Baja Mode” and was used by the Ford Raptor racing team in the Best in the Desert series.
We also know that the new Raptor is going to be the fastest, toughest, most-capable Raptor ever produced. That’s because it’ll be lighter and more-powerful than the previous V8-powered Raptor. Combined with the 10-speed automatic and EcoBoost engine, it’ll probably be more fuel efficient, too. Heck, I’d imagine it’ll be a lot more fuel efficient than the 6.2L V8 Raptor.
It won’t sound the same as the V8 Raptor, but Ford is working on how the truck will sound. From the videos we’ve shared in the previously-linked posts, it might be pretty decent. You’ll ultimately have to decide if it sounds like a trophy truck or not.
Really all that is left to be known is how powerful the truck is going to be. For 2017, Ford increased the output of the 3.5L EcoBoost in the normal trucks makes 470 lb-ft of torque! We know the transmission can handle the increase in power, because the Camaro ZL1 that gets the same box makes 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft.
My original guess for horsepower on the Raptor would be around 450 horsepower. Seeing the updates that were made to the EcoBoost for 2017 in non-Raptor form, I’m thinking it might be closer to 500 horsepower. Which is, let’s face it, a lot.
Hopefully we’ll find out the answer that question soon as we gear up to drive the truck here before the end of the year!
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or over in our forums!
