Ford unveils new performance pickup F-150 Raptor, confirms V-8 model

DETROIT – Ford Motor increases the capabilities and performance of its redesigned F-150 Raptor performance pickup, including the addition of a new model with a V-8 engine.

Since its debut in 2009, the Raptor has been a winner for Ford and its pickup lineup. Although representing a small portion of Ford’s 800,000 full-size pickup sales, the truck is drawing significant attention and profit to the company.

“Not only is it a halo product, which is fantastic, it is also a very strong company for us from a margin and money perspective,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of America and International Markets. He said it is one of the “most profitable F-150 vehicles,” citing the Raptor’s pricing power and the company never has to discount the vehicle.

Ford declined to release Raptor’s annual sales. It said the pickup has cumulatively surpassed Porsche’s full range of sports cars and General Motors’ Chevrolet Corvette over the past four years. For the perspective, GM has sold approximately 83,500 Corvettes since 2017.

The Raptor is based on Ford’s regular F-150 pickup, but packed with a range of off-road and performance features – from a new five-arm suspension system to massive 35-inch or 37-inch tires. It is also larger than the regular model and has an increasingly distinctive design.

The current Raptor starts at around $ 55,000, but can hit more than $ 75,000 with upgrades. Ford has not announced pricing for the 2021 F-150 Raptor, which will hit showrooms this summer. A new F-150 Raptor “R” with a V-8 engine is expected to be available next year.

“I think it’s great for our customers to have that choice,” Galhotra said of the V-8 model, declining to discuss further details. “It was a direct response to the needs, wishes, requests of our customers … Some of them wanted a version with higher power and that’s what we’re going to make for them.”

The V-8 model follows increased competition from Ram Trucks, which began production of a Ram 1500 TRX pickup truck with the automaker’s Hellcat V-8 engine last year. It’s capable of 702 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque. Its top speed is 190 km / h (limited by its off-road tires) and can reach 100 km / h in 4.5 seconds.

The new Raptor features improved off-road equipment and performance, as well as improved interior technology. The most notable differences from the previous generation are the new 12-inch cockpit and central control screens. The vehicle is also capable of over-the-air updates of in-car features and performance.

The new Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine and features four exhaust modes with different sound levels: quiet, normal, sport and Baja. The company refused to release the engine’s expected power and torque. The current Raptor is rated at 450 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.

“We are especially proud of what we have delivered to the outlet. It is another great example of how we always listen to our customers,” said program manager Tony Greco at a press conference. “They said they wanted a deeper, more menacing sound from the Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, and they will.”