RAPTOR REPORT In Defense of the 2017 Ford Tailgate
When Ford pulled the covers off the 2017 Ford Raptor during the 2015 North American International Auto Show, they made some changes that people were definitely talking about.
For one, the 6.2L V8 is gone, and is being replaced by a 3.5L EcoBoost engine making in excess of 450 horsepower. The truck also has a brand-new 10-speed automatic transmission.
It also has a brand new tailgate that incorporates both the Raptor model name, and FORD in big letters.
While not as extreme as Ram’s name on the back of the Rebel and Laramie Limited, it is still big enough to get peoples’ attentions.
Despite competition's efforts, Raptor keeps best-in-class number of grille letters for off-road trucks: 33% more! 😉 pic.twitter.com/UZ7uadsFZF
— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) January 13, 2015
The beauty of the design changes on the Raptor is that forces people to talk about it. Some are happy about the new engine, and some are happy about the new design. Others are not. This has created discussion both on our forums and across the Internet.
Generating an emotional response, whether it be positive or negative, about a new product is much more desirable than having no response whatsoever.
I like the new tailgate design on the Raptor. I like the looks of it a lot better than I do the 2015 F-150 Platinum and the tailgate treatment there.
Truck makers have been putting their brand and model names on their tailgates for years. Only recently have they stopped doing it, and it appears that it might be coming back into style.
Feel free to dispute everything I just said over in the forums!
