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

DETROIT – Ford Motor expands the capability 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 range. While representing a small amount of Ford’s 800,000 sales of full-size pickups, the truck is attracting significant attention and profits for the company.

“Besides being a halo product, which is fantastic, it’s a very strong business for us from a margin perspective, money perspective,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas and international markets. He said it was one of the “most profitable F-150 vehicles”, referring to Raptor’s pricing and that the company would never have to shorten the vehicle.

Ford did not want to disclose Raptor’s annual sales. It is said that the bakkie has cumulatively sold out Porsche’s entire range of sports cars and General Motors’ Chevrolet Corvette. For perspective, GM has sold about 83,500 corvettes since 2017.

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

The current Raptor starts at around $ 55,000, but can fetch more than $ 75,000 with upgrades. Ford has not announced prices for the 2021 F-150 Raptor, which will arrive in 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 the choice,” Galhotra said of the V-8 model and declined to discuss further details. “It was a direct response to the needs, wants and requests of our customers. … Some of them wanted a higher power version and that’s what we’re going to create for them.”

The V-8 model follows increasing competition from Ram Trucks, which last year began manufacturing a Ram 1500 TRX performance pickup with the carmaker’s Hellcat V-8 car. It has 702 horsepower and 650-foot torque. Its top speed is 118 km / h (limited by its tires) and can reach 60 km / h in 4.5 seconds.

The new Raptor features upgraded field equipment and performance, as well as increased technology in the interior. The most striking differences from the previous generation are the new 12-inch driver’s cabin and center control screens. The vehicle can also provide functions and performance in the car on the air.

The new Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine and features four exhaust modes with different noise levels: quiet, normal, sporty and Baja. The company did not want to release the expected horsepower and torque of the engine. The current Raptor is attributed to 450 horsepower and a torque of 510 pounds.

“We are especially proud of what we have delivered at the outlet. This is another excellent example of how we always listen to our customers,” program manager Tony Greco told a news conference. “They said they want a deeper, more menacing sound from Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, and they’re going to get it.”