The Ford F-150 Raptor Can Turn You Into An Off-Road Hero (photos)
There is a reason Ford F-150 Raptor owners are always killing it off-road. It's simply because this truck is so tremendously capable, it might even be able to do it without a driver.
1. The Ford Raptor Invitation
In an attempt to shine light on the Raptor's capabilities, Ford invited some automotive journalists to test drive the truck at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City. They started the experience with basic off-roading, like simple rock crawling, as well as testing the various driving modes, but this was just the beginning. As the day went by, they realized that the Ford Raptor is much more capable than any journalist could be. Whether you're an experienced off-roader, or you've never driven off the asphalt, the Raptor will help you get over anything.
2. 10-Speed Transmission
Ford's new 10-speed transmission has been the talk of the automotive industry, and many have wondered how it would handle when performance is really needed. Through the mountains of Utah, the 10-speed transmission stayed on the lowest gears, providing consistent power with extreme throttle responsiveness. With the traction control on, driving through the mud was easy and fun for these journalists, and it makes for fun mudding for just about anybody.
3. Six Driving Modes
Ford has spent numerous hours making the Raptor into an extremely comfortable truck on-road, and an absolute beast off of it. The Raptor comes with six driving modes that allow it to do a lot of the thinking that used to be left to the driver.
- Normal mode offers comfortable shifting, while maintaining quick responses for daily driving.
- Sport mode quickens the throttle response, makes the steering heavier, and keeps the transmission in lower gears for sportier driving.
- Weather mode activates 4-Auto, and Advanced Traction Control, plus changes the shift points for maximum traction in bad weather.
- Mud/Sand mode activates 4-High, as well as the electronic locking differential, letting the Raptor slice through mud like a hot knife through butter.
- Baja mode activates 4-high with the Advanced Traction Control adjusted for high-speed desert off-roading, making it an off-road monster.
- Rock Crawling mode activates 4-low, and the electronic locking differential, it to climb over rocks unlike anything else on the market.
4. Now Part Rocket
To complement all of the driving modes, the all-new twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine develops 450-horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The automotive journalists were pleasantly surprised in their off-roading experience, finding the aggressive engine, along with the computer driving modes, took care of all their anxiety in the dirt. The EcoBoosted Raptor was able to crest the steepest hills and get air with ease at the top.
5. Raptor Assault Owner Program
To allow Raptor owners to get the most out of their trucks, Ford now offers the Raptor Assault program. This free program is designed to teach Raptor owners how to drive through various off-road courses, and use all six driving modes, as well as the other special features of the truck. The course takes the drivers through a controlled off-road environment, as well as classroom instruction, where they get to learn all of the Raptor's capabilities and the quirks of all six driving modes. This could be the most fun you ever had while learning.
Register for the Raptor Assault program HERE.
For help with service and maintenance of your truck, check out the how to section of Ford-Trucks.com