USA - The Editors of Autotrader USA has picked the F0150 Raptor as one of its Must Test Drive cars.

The editors at Autotrader have discovered what owners, fans and the media have been reporting now for months: The all-new F-150 Raptor is a “Must Test Drive” vehicle for 2017.

The Autotrader designation is a consumer-focused award program designed to highlight the top 12 vehicles shoppers must see and experience to believe. 

Winning vehicles are chosen based on a diverse set of criteria outlined by Autotrader editorial experts, who log thousands of miles test driving the latest cars, trucks and SUVs each year.

“For all the awards and accolades owners and the media have bestowed upon the all-new F-150 Raptor, the only way to truly understand how incredible this truck has become is to get to a Ford dealer and get behind the wheel,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager.

The purpose-built, off-road F-150 Raptor builds on the success of its predecessor with performance gains and new technology. The all-new Raptor stands alone among high-performance off-road trucks, featuring a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, plus a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission and six-mode Terrain Management System^™. Its high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body saves 500 pounds over the previous model.

The 2017 F-150 Raptor’s competition-proven chassis also sets the performance bar with its second-generation BF Goodrich KO2 tires designed exclusively for the truck’s extended off-road capabilities. In addition, upgraded FOX Shocks (jointly engineered by Ford Performance and FOX) are 44 percent larger with 3-inch diameter shock canisters (2.5-inch previously) and nine-stage bypass damping delivering improved suspension control. The new shock design enables an increase in suspension travel to 13-inches at the front and 13.9-inches at the rear (a 0.8-inch front and 1.9-inch rear increase in wheel travel compared to its predecessor).

The Autotrader award is the latest in a series of accolades for the all-new F-150 Raptor, including Truck of the Year from FOUR WHEELER, AutoGuide.com and Cars.com.The recognition for Raptor further highlights Ford’s yearlong celebration of F-Series as best-selling truck in America for 40 consecutive years, and 35 years as best-selling vehicle in America. Join the #40YearsTough celebration at www.40YearsTough.com.

USA - The Ford F-150 Raptor combines more power and torque with a 500-pound weight reduction and advanced powertrain control technology

• All-new F-150 Raptor combines more power and torque with a 500-pound weight reduction and advanced powertrain control technology to deliver the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup
• Second-generation 3.5-liter high-output EcoBoost^® engine produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, plus a 23 percent improvement in EPA-estimated combined fuel economy
• Advanced 10-speed transmission enables Raptor customers to enjoy exhilarating performance and efficiency both on- and off-road

Ford Motor Company, America’s truck leader, today announced horsepower and torque ratings for the all-new 2017 F-150 Raptor that will continue to position the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup in a class by itself.

Equipped with the all-new 3.5-liter twin-turbo high-output EcoBoost^® engine, the Raptor churns out 510 lb.-ft. of torque and 450 horsepower across a wide power band.

Mated to an all-new Ford-built 10-speed transmission and exclusive transfer case – and managed by a six-mode Terrain Management System^™ – the 2017 F-150 Raptor makes good on its promise to deliver an exhilarating off-road performance truck and even more bragging rights with a base MSRP less than $50,000.

“Raptor was designed to be a no-compromise, off-road performance machine,” said Matt Tranter, Ford Performance engineering supervisor. “That is why we made the switch from the cast-iron V8 to the aluminum block, high-output GTDI V6 EcoBoost engine that our team tuned to add 39 horsepower and 76 lb.-ft. of torque for today’s Raptor.”

Using the same high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body and a fully boxed high-strength steel frame as the current F-150 trucks, the 2017 Raptor is up to 500 pounds lighter than the 2014 model. Combined with a new high-output EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission, the 2017 Raptor delivers a 21 percent improved average torque-to-weight ratio and a 23 percent improvement in EPA-rated combined fuel economy compared with the previous generation Raptor.  

EPA estimated fuel economy ratings for the 2017 F-150 Raptor are 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined. Actual mileage will vary.

Further building on the power-to-weight benefits, the 2017 Raptor delivers more low-RPM torque and better optimized power bands and shift points across all two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes thanks to the 10-speed transmission and torque-on-demand transfer case.

“The torque-on-demand transfer case and six-mode Terrain Management System is unique to Raptor in the Ford family of vehicles,” Tranter said. “It gives you the benefit of a clutched all-wheel-drive system for easy around-town maneuverability in bad weather. Then, there’s Baja Mode, which automatically engages a mechanically locked 4X4 high, and optimizes throttle response, shifting and boost control to provide improved off-road capability. That’s definitely drawing a line in the sand.”

All-new 3.5-liter high-output EcoBoost engine

Within performance circles, Ford’s EcoBoost engine has gained a following among truck enthusiasts and racing fans alike. Already robust and efficient, Ford developed the second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost, which the Ford Performance team then tuned specifically for the new Raptor.

Key 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine improvements include a new twin direct and port-fuel injection strategy, stronger and lighter crank and valvetrain components, a redesigned twin-turbocharger system with electronic wastegate, and a redesigned valvetrain and variable-displacement oil pump.

Among the high-output EcoBoost performance enhancements for Raptor are more aggressive turbo compressors with increased boost calibrations, cast stainless steel manifolds and full dual exhaust, oil-cooled pistons and more aggressive engine control calibrations.

“Looking at the torque curve of the Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, you see the twin turbos spool quicker for faster time to torque – it hammers quick and keeps delivering torque for a more brawny feel than its V8 predecessor,” said Al Cockerill, Raptor’s powertrain development engineer.

All-new 10-speed automatic transmission

The all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, standard on the 2017 Raptor, features Auto Start-Stop and an integrated electric pump that improve driving efficiency.

The transmission’s closer ratio between gears and Ford-patented hydraulic control system better optimize the power and torque curves of the new 3.5-liter high-output EcoBoost engine.

Raptor’s all-new adaptive shift algorithms monitor more than a dozen powertrain and driver control signals in real time – ensuring the right gear at the right time for an engaging driving experience, including Raptor’s normal, sport, weather, mud/sand, rock/crawl and Baja modes. In addition, a high-speed, one-way clutch allows for non-sequential shifting.

Weight savings play a key role in improved shift performance. The 10-speed gearbox – the first from Ford not to employ cast-iron components – uses advanced materials and alloys that result in less weight. Additionally, an integrated torque converter/turbine clutch helps shed more than two pounds, while also reducing the packaging footprint.