Ford Raptor

Ford Raptor is a nameplate used by Ford Motor Company on "high-performance" pickup trucks. In use since the 2010 model year, the Raptor is the highest-performance version of the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. Drawing its name from both birds of prey and the velociraptor, the model line is intended as a street-legal counterpart of an off-road racing vehicle. The F-150 Raptor is currently in its second generation; the Ranger Raptor was introduced in 2019 (in markets outside of North America).

Ford Raptor
Ford F-150 Raptor, second generation (2017-present)
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	July 2009–October 2014; 2016–present
Body and chassis
Class	Pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford SVT Lightning (indirect)

Optimized for off-road use, the Raptor is fitted with four-wheel drive as standard equipment, a mid-travel suspension system, and all-terrain tires; the model line is also fitted with the most powerful engine available (for the F-150 or the Ranger). Along with wider fenders, the Raptor is fitted with its own grille, replacing the Ford Blue Oval emblem with large "FORD" lettering in the grille.

First generation (F-150; 2010-2014)

First generation (SVT Raptor)
2012 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCab in Australia
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford SVT (Ford)
Also called	Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Model years	2010-2014
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan (Dearborn Truck Plant)
Body and chassis
Class	Pickup truck (Class 2)
Body style	2+2 door extended cab 4-door crew cab
Platform	Ford T1 platform
Related	Ford F-150 (2009-2014)
Powertrain
Engine	5.4L Modular 3-valve V8 6.2L Boss V8
Transmission	6-speed 6R80 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SuperCab: 133.3 in (3,390 mm) SuperCrew: 145.2 in (3,690 mm)
Length	SuperCab: 220.6 in (5,600 mm) SuperCrew: 232.1 in (5,900 mm)
Width	86.3 in (2,190 mm)
Height	SuperCab: 78.5 in (1,990 mm) SuperCrew: 78.4 in (1,990 mm)
Curb weight	SuperCab: 6,016 lb (2,729 kg) SuperCrew: 6,210 lb (2,820 kg)

For the 2010 model year, Ford SVT introduced the SVT Raptor, its second vehicle derived from the Ford F-150. In notable contrast to the on-road capability of the 1993-2004 SVT Lightning, the SVT Raptor was optimized for off-road performance, similar to a desert racing vehicle.

The first production Raptor, molten orange with the digital mud graphic, sold at auction for $130,000 with all proceeds above the MSRP going to charity. The race version, the F-150 SVT Raptor R, was built for the Baja 1000 races. It uses a 6.2 L V8 engine rated at 500 hp (370 kW).[1]

Chassis upgrades

SVT fitted the Raptor with Fox Racing internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs[2], allowing for 11 inches of front suspension travel (12 inches in the rear)[3]. To accommodate the long-travel suspension design, the rear leaf springs and the front upper and lower A-arms were redesigned, with SVT widening the track by seven inches and raising the ride height by two inches.[4]

The rear axle had a locking differential with a 4.10:1 gear ratio[5], with an open-differential front axle. For 2012, the open front axle was replaced by a Torsen helical gear limited slip differential.[6] In place of the all-season tires of the F-150, the Raptor was fitted with 35" BFGoodrich all-terrain tires.

Towing capacity is up to 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg) with a 1,770-pound (803 kg) payload (SuperCrew only).[7]

• Ford SVT Raptor display (2011 Detroit Auto Show)
• 
  Top of body, showing hood extractors
• 
  Front skid plate
• 
  Front underbody, showing independent front suspension
• 
  Rear underbody, showing rear suspension (and spare tire)

Powertrain

For 2010, the standard engine was a 5.4L V8, or an optional 6.2L V8 (shared with the Super Duty[3]) offered as an option from early 2010.[2][5] Both engines were pairedwith a 6-speed automatic transmission.[5] For 2011, the 5.4L engine was dropped from the F-Series, leaving the 6.2L V8 as the only engine offering.

Driving technology

Alongside other versions of the F-Series, the SVT Raptor was equipped with anti-locking braking (ABS), stability control (AdvanceTrac with RSC), and traction control. To optimize its capability as both an off-road and on-road vehicle, the SVT Raptor included several design features to maximize traction and control.[8] The first Ford with hill descent control, the SVT Raptor was designed to use ABS to minimize driver modulation of the brakes (to increase control of the steering).[8] In off-road settings, the Raptor can be driven in sport mode (traction control off) and "full off-road" mode (no electronic intervention except ABS; throttle and ABS reprogrammed for low traction).[8]

Body design

SVT Raptor interior

Coinciding with the widened track and upgraded suspension, the SVT Raptor received several changes to its exterior. Sharing only its headlamps with the F-150, the SVT Raptor is fitted with a model-specific front fascia, with a composite hood, wider fenders (at 86.3 inches wide[5], the Raptor was fitted with grille-mounted clearance lamps). To distinguish the Raptor from the F-150, the Ford Blue Oval was replaced by "FORD" lettering in the grille.[8] Though not using the Flareside configuration, the cargo bed was redesigned to accommodate the wider rear track and tires; to maximize its departure angle, the bed was shortened to a 5.5-foot length.[5]

For 2010, the SVT Raptor was offered solely as a 2+2 door SuperCab (a standard-cab Raptor was never developed), the SVT Raptor was offered in four colors: tuxedo black, oxford white, blue flame, and molten orange.[8] As an option, Ford offered a "digital mud" vinyl decal for the rear sides of the vehicle.[8] For 2011, a four-door SuperCrew cab configuration was introduced, alongside a fifth color: Ingot Silver Metallic.[9]

Largely equipped between the F-150 XLT and Lariat, the SVT Raptor is fitted with several interior features specific to the model line, serving as functional upgrades. Alongside high-bolstered seats, an orange stripe was added to the leather wrap of the steering wheel (serving as a visual centering reference).[8] In line with the Super Duty, the SVT Raptor was prewired for aftermarket equipment.[8]

• 
  Ford SVT Raptor SuperCab
• 
  Ford SVT Raptor SuperCab, rear (showing "digital mud" graphic)
• 
  SVT Raptor badging
• 
  Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew
• 
  Ford SVT Raptor converted to stretch limousine
• 
  SVT Raptor in use by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a mobile command vehicle.

Second generation (F-150; 2017-present)

Second generation (Raptor)
2018 Ford F-150 Raptor
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford F-150 Raptor
Model years	2017-present
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan (Dearborn Truck Plant) Buenos Aires, Argentina (Ford Argentina)
Body and chassis
Class	Pickup truck (Class 1)
Body style	2+2 door extended cab 4-door crew cab
Platform	Ford T platform (T3)
Related	Ford F-150 (2015- )
Powertrain
Engine	3.5L D35 twin-turbo V6 gasoline
Transmission	10-speed 10R80 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SuperCab: 134.2 in (3,410 mm) SuperCrew: 146.0 in (3,710 mm)
Length	SuperCab: 220.0 in (5,590 mm) SuperCrew: 231.9 in (5,890 mm)
Width	86.3 in (2,190 mm)
Height	78.5 in (1,990 mm)
Curb weight	SuperCab: 5,525 lb (2,506 kg) SuperCrew: 5,697 lb (2,584 kg)

Following the 2014 introduction of the thirteenth-generation F-Series, the Raptor model line went on a two-year hiatus. Unveiled as a pre-production vehicle in January 2015 at the 2015 Detroit International Auto Show, the second generation of the Raptor was released in early 2017 for the 2017 model year, dropping the SVT prefix.[10] As with its predecessor, the second-generation Raptor is a pickup truck derived from the F-150, optimized for off-road capability.

As with the standard F-150, the Raptor is an aluminum-intensive vehicle, using steel primarily for the frame rails; compared to the SVT Raptor, curb weight was reduced by over 500 pounds.[11]

Chassis specifications

As with the previous generation, the Raptor retained Fox Racing internal-bypass shocks with external reservoirs.[10] With larger shocks (3 inches, from 2.5[11]), wheel travel increased to 13 inches for the front axle (13.9 for the rear). An all-new transfer case was introduced; a torque-on-demand system, the design combined the on-demand capability of all-wheel drive with the durability of four-wheel drive.[10] With a widened track over the F-150, the Raptor again used a leaf-sprung rear axle and upper and lower A-arms for the front axle.[10] For 2019, the Fox Racing shocks were updating with "Live Valve" capability, automatically adjusting for the terrain.[12]

As before, 35-inch all-terrain tires were fitted to 17-inch wheels; as a rare option for a mass-produced vehicle, Ford offered beadlock wheels to prevent tire bead separation from the wheel at low pressures.

Powertrain

In a significant departure from its predecessor, the second-generation does not use a V8 engine, instead using a second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost gasoline V6.[3] A detuned version of the engine of the Ford GT, the 450 hp twin-turbocharged engine is shared with the Lincoln Navigator. The 2017 Raptor marked the debut of the 10-speed 10R80 automatic transmission, the first non-commercial vehicle fitted with a 10-speed transmission (of any type).

Body design

As with the standard F-150, much of the body of the Raptor is constructed of aluminum, using a composite hood. In line with the previous generation, "FORD" grille replaced the Ford Blue Oval emblem, with clearance lights mounted in the grille and front fenders (mandated due to its width). Sharing its 5.5-foot length with the SuperCrew, the pickup bed design is specific to the Raptor.

Alongside the previous generation, the Raptor is offered in both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The "digital mud" decal option was replaced by a large black decal on the pickup bed, denoting the Raptor name; as an additional option, a black "FORD" tailgate decal is offered.

Ford Ranger Raptor (2019-present)

Ford Ranger Raptor

Rear view

For the 2019 model year, Ford introduced the Ford Ranger Raptor, derived from the global Ranger T6 mid-size pickup truck. Slotted above the Wildtrak appearance package, the Raptor is fitted with suspension and chassis upgrades to improve its off-road capability.[13] In line with its F-150 namesake, the Raptor is fitted with a widened track and a raised ride height.[13]

The Ranger Raptor is fitted with a 2.0L EcoBlue biturbo diesel engine, producing 210 hp.[13] Shared with globally-marketed versions of the Ford Transit and the Ford Everest, the engine is coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission (shared with the F-150, including the Raptor). Similar to F-150 Raptor, the four-wheel drive system of the Ranger Raptor is adaptable to terrain.[13]

While not wide enough to require clearance lights, the Ranger Raptor adopts several design elements of its F-150 counterpart, including gray six-spoke wheels, a FORD-lettered grille, and large Raptor decals on the sides of the cargo bed.

North American exclusion

In October 2018, Ford confirmed that the Ranger Raptor will not be marketed in the United States.[14] While the marketing of the model would have offered Ford a direct competitor to the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, Ford has cited the risk of model overlap with the larger F-150 Raptor (a model whose demand exceeds supply).[14] A secondary factor is the powertrain design: as the 2.0L EcoBlue diesel engine (not yet approved for US emissions standards) offers similar output to the regular Rangers 2.3L EcoBoost gasoline engine; a redesign to include a more powerful engine was cited as too costly.[14]

While unlikely to be sold in North America in its current generation, as a mid-size truck, the Ranger Raptor is sold in markets where the F-Series based Raptor is unlikely to be widely marketed because of its larger size.

References

1. Phillips, Drew (November 4, 2008). "SEMA 2008: SVT Raptor R race truck to enter Baja 1000". Autoblog. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
2. "2017 Ford Raptor EcoBeast - Gear Heads". Gearheads. 2015-01-12. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
3. Gall, Jared (May 14, 2010). "2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2". Caranddriver.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
4. "Review: Ford SVT Raptor". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
5. "2012 FORD F-150 SVT RAPTOR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS" (PDF). 2011-10-19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
6. "F-150 SVT Raptor Gets A Torsen Front Diff For 2012 | What's New Blog & Opinions at Four Wheeler Magazine". Blogs.fourwheeler.com. 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
7. "Build Your 2011 Ford F-150". Bp2.ford.com. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
8. Phillips, Drew (November 4, 2008). "SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment". Retrieved 2009-05-14.
9. Abuelsamid, Sam (2010-08-12). "2011 Ford F150 SVT Raptor drops base engine, gets standard 6.2L V8 — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
10. "2017 Ford F-150 Raptor - A Beast Off-Road & On - Ford.com". www.ford.com. 2016-02-14. Archived from the original on 2016-02-14.
11. Alexander Stoklosa (2015-01-12). "2017 Ford F-150 Raptor: The Beast Returns with an Aluminum Body and a Twin-Turbo V-6!". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
12. Hogan, Mack (June 16, 2019). "Review: The 2019 F-150 Raptor is Ford's most capable, fun 4X4 pickup truck". Cnbc.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
13. "FIRST LOOK: 2018 Ford Ranger Raptor in Thailand". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
14. Krok, Andrew. "Ford Ranger Raptor remains a no-go in the US". Roadshow. Retrieved 2019-08-28.