USA - Ford announces the new Raptor will come with Six different mode settings to cover the vast majority of surfaces.

The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor features six terrain modes designed to handle the most demanding terrains. From off-road rock crawling and desert running to on-road sport mode, Raptor is ready for any type of driving. Here’s a breakdown of each mode.

Normal

For everyday on-road driving duties, normal mode is a perfect balance of excitement, comfort and convenience.

Sport

Mountain passes are no longer just for Mustang, thanks to Raptor sport mode. For spirited on-road driving, sport mode increases throttle response and provides a sportier steering feel – along with quicker shifting. The transmission holds gears longer to keep you in the power band.

Weather

When road conditions are less than ideal, weather mode inspires confidence without compromising driving pleasure. Snow/wet mode automatically engages 4 Auto. AdvanceTrac, throttle response and the shift schedule are optimized for greater confidence in slippery conditions.

Mud/Sand

For tackling trails and other off-road treks, the mud/sand setting is your best friend. 4 High and the electronic locking differential automatically engage for driving over loose or soft ground, and optimized AdvanceTrac settings help Raptor keep its footing. Steering is set to comfort, which makes it easier to navigate along tight trails and over obstacles.

Baja

Baja mode is where Raptor eclipses the competition. Designed for high-speed desert running, Baja mode places the vehicle in 4 High, AdvanceTrac is programmed to the least intrusive settings, and the throttle map is adjusted for more linear power and improved engine response to give the hardcore off-road driver greater control. The transmission has quicker shifts and holds gears longer – keeping the vehicle in its power band.

Rock Crawl

This setting is for intense off-road driving and rock climbing at low speeds. Rock crawl prompts the driver to place the vehicle in 4 Low, the electronic locking differential is automatically engaged and AdvanceTrac is set to the least intrusive settings for optimum rock-climbing ability. 

Throttle modulation and transmission response are optimized for greater control. Additionally, the front camera allows the driver to see what’s right in front of the truck, and it can be kept on at speeds up to 15 mph.

Along with the individual AdvanceTrac settings tied to drive modes, Raptor continues the Ford Performance tradition of allowing the driver to program the system’s settings to match conditions and skill level. 

The driver can reduce traction control but keep stability control on with a single press of the electronic stability control button; or, by holding the button for five seconds, the driver can turn AdvanceTrac settings off.

As the United Kingdom weather turns for the worse, the second hand off roader market grows in all segments.

• Continued growth in used car transactions across all segments in Q3 2015
• Three per cent year-on-year increase in used car transactions for July to September 2015
• 2015 sees the highest Q3 for used car transactions since 2007
• Used 4x4s saw the strongest performance with 9.1% growth year on year

The UK used car market continues to grow, with recent DVLA statistics showing that used car transactions have grown by three per cent year on year during the July to September period for 2015. Year to date used car transactions have also increased, by 4.2% and 225,000 units year-on-year.

The 4x4 segment showed the strongest performance with used sales of large and small 4x4s growing by 9.1% year on year as the UK moves towards Winter, and savvy shoppers prepare for weather warnings this week ahead of the threat of heavy snow bought by Storm Barney.

Auto Trader, the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace for buying and selling new and used vehicles, have revealed the Top 10 most searched for 4x4s for July to September 2015.

1. BMW X5
2. Land Rover Range Rover
3. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
4. BMW X3
5. Mercedes-Benz M-Class
6. Honda CR-V
7. VW Touareg
8. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Audi Q5

Auto Trader’s Retailer and Consumer Products Director Karolina Edwards-Smajda, said; “The current increasing levels of used car transactions are a bi-product of the strong new car registrations that have been experienced over the last few years, with these vehicles now re-entering the used car market. Transactions for nearly new cars less than one year old and cars between one and three years old are fuelling the growth, showing an increase of 8% and 15% year-on-year respectively.