2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
ford
DETROIT – Ford Motor improves 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 range of pickup trucks. While the truck represents only a small fraction of Ford’s 800,000 full-size pickups sold, it receives significant attention and profits for the company.
“Aside from being a fantastic Halo product, it’s a very strong business for us from a margin and a financial perspective,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s President for US and International Markets. He said it was among the “most profitable F-150 vehicles,” citing the pricing power of the Raptor and the company that never had to discount the vehicle.
Ford declined to publish Raptor’s annual sales. Over the past four years, the pickup has cumulatively outbid the entire sports car range from Porsche and the Chevrolet Corvette from General Motors. For the perspective, GM has sold around 83,500 Corvettes since 2017.
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
ford
The Raptor is based on Ford’s regular F-150 pickup truck, but comes with a range of off-road and performance features – from a new five-link suspension system to massive 35-inch or 37-inch tires. It’s also larger than the regular model and has an increasingly distinctive design.
The current Raptor starts at around $ 55,000 but can top more than $ 75,000 with upgrades. Ford has not released prices 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,” said Galhotra of the V-8 model, declining to discuss further details. “It was a direct response to the needs, wants and demands of our customers. Some of them wanted a higher performing version and we will make that for them.”
The V-8 model follows increasing competition from Ram Trucks, which began production of a Ram 1500 TRX performance pickup truck powered by 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 118 mph (limited by its off-road tires) and can reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Ram 1500 TRX
Fiat Chrysler
The new Raptor offers improved off-road equipment and performance as well as improved interior technology. The most notable differences to the previous generation are the new 12-inch driver’s cockpit and the center control screens. The vehicle is also able to wirelessly update functions and performance in the car.
The new Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo engine and has four exhaust modes with different noise levels: quiet, normal, sporty and Baja. The company declined to release the engine’s expected power and torque. The current Raptor has 450 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.
“We are particularly proud of what we have delivered on the exhaust. This is another great example of how we always listen to our customers,” said Program Manager Tony Greco during a press conference. “They said they wanted a deeper, more menacing sound from Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, and they’ll get it.”
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor interior
ford
