Ford Announces Raptor Engine for 2019 F-150 Limited
Daily Slideshow: The Raptor’s high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine joins a list of updates in store for the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited.
And You Shall Receive
“F-150 Limited customers create their own success. The truck is their reward.” That was Ford truck group marketing manager Todd Eckert, talking about what the Blue Oval is calling "The Most Powerful, Advanced, and Luxurious F-150 Ever." Eckert said Limited buyers wanted more power and Ford was happy to oblige. Power, in this case, comes from the Raptor's high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. At 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, not only is the engine a significant improvement over the 2018 Limited's 375 hp and 470 lb-ft, it makes the F-150 the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market. For comparison, the most potent 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and the most powerful 2019 Ram 1500 is rated at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft.
Companion Mechanicals
Aiding and abetting the twin-turbo EcoBoost is a new dual-exhaust system, featuring exhaust tips that emerge through raised cutouts in the rear bumper. As with last year's Limited, and in common with the Raptor, you can have any transmission you want as long as it's Ford's 10-speed automatic. Twenty-two-inch wheels continue over from last year and the 2019 Limited can be had in either rear- or four-wheel-drive.
Interior
With the 2018 refresh of the Limited, the trim level was not lacking for luxury but Ford made improvements to go along with the pickup's increased power. "It was important for us to get this interior just right as we continue to raise the bar for premium pickup trucks," Ford color and materials manager Aileen Barraza stated. In this case, that means soft new Camel Back two-tone leather, not just on the multi-contour Active Motion front seats, but on the instrument panel and door panels. Other materials used include a Miko suede headliner, gradated ash swirl trim, and each Limited will sport its own serial-numbered, laser-etched plaque. A significant change was made to the heated and ventilated seats—Ford enlarged the leather's perforations to allow for better cooling.
Utility
Leather and luxury aside, the Limited is still a pickup truck and that means it needs to work when called upon to do so. Assistance in that department comes from of a standard integrated trailer brake, and also a standard 360-degree camera featuring a split-view display with dynamic hitch assist—to make the hitching and towing process just that much easier. Ford's exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allows drivers to maneuver via the twist of a knob, is available as an option—once a course is selected the F-150 steers automatically to follow it.
Driver Tech
Drivers of the 2019 F-150 Limited will also benefit from Ford's driver assistance technology, including standard adaptive cruise control. When enabled, the cruise control utilizes "stop-and-go functionality" that uses a driver-selected cruising speed, then, with the help of radar and camera technology, monitors traffic ahead to keep a set distance between the F-150 and the vehicle ahead, with the ability to bring the truck to a complete stop if needed.
Continued Tech
In the safety department, the Limited comes standard with Ford's Pre-Collision Assist that includes automatic braking in emergencies, to help prevent collisions with other motorists as well as pedestrians. Given the not-insignificant length of the Limited, active parking assist is a welcome aid when fitting the F-150 in those tight parallel parking spots, and Ford's Lane-Keeping System joins the list of aids, helping drivers avoid lane drift and deviation.
Connected
Ford enhances the Limited's driving environment with ample connectivity, including Ford SYNC 3 with AppLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability. Wi-Fi access is provided for up to 10 devices via FordPass Connect 4G LTE, and tunes flow freely from the Limited's standard Harman-B&O Play audio system. In a nutshell, Ford has achieved their goal of "[combining the] Raptor’s engine with Limited’s business-class features to deliver Baja fierceness, boardroom style and the grit to tackle tough jobs." A job well done!