The upcoming 2017 Ford Raptor is reportedly capable of 450HP with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Some say it could approach the 600HP mark. It sheds around 500 pounds after going on a diet of aluminum and ultra high-strength steel. However, it loses the V8. Can the turbo V6 deliver on the beastly character of the original Raptor?
Ford did not officially reveal output numbers at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, where the 2017 Raptor first appeared. So, where is all this information coming from exactly? Well, that 3.5L EcoBoost V6 powering the 2017 F-150 Raptor is the very same block that will be powering the 2017 Ford GT, which is expected to net somewhere “north of 600HP.” That said, now you can see where the 600HP estimate is coming from.
The 2017 Raptor is carrying another surprise, which is the 10-speed automatic transmission that is capable of handling all that power. To compliment all that, it has four-wheel-drive, a torque-on-demand transfer case, and an advanced version of the off-road driver-assist technology. The improved transfer case realigns power distribution between the front and rear wheels, merging the best of clutch-driven, all-wheel drive with durable, four-wheel drive.
As for the body, the Raptor is comprised of a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy. Don’t be too concerned about the weight though, the unique materials used allowed Ford to shed more than 500 pounds off the total weight compared to the previous model. Finally, it features a full dual-exhaust — a first ever for Ford’s F-150 lineup — and 17-inch wheels with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires, specifically designed for off-road use.
It will feature six different preset modes depending on the terrain and environment conditions. This means that the driver can select what matches their current conditions. The six presets are the following:
• Normal mode – meant for normal, everyday driving
• Street mode – meant for high-performance, on-road driving
• Weather mode – meant for inclement weather like rain, snow or ice
• Mud and sand mode – meant for muddy terrain
• Baja mode – meant for high-speeds in desert and sand terrain
• Rock mode – meant for low-speeds and traveling rocky terrain
Of course, a premium version will be available with modern LED lighting and camera technology that can be used to enhance visibility in various environments, whether it be on the trail, street or during the long-dark hours of night.
More information about the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will be available closer to launch, which is set for sometime in the fall of 2016.
What is your take on the V6 EcoBoost replacing the big 6.2L V8 in the Raptor?
