The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor pick up truck has been unveiled. Now in its third generation, the new Ford Raptor gets an all-new design, more equipment and is claimed to be even more capable off-road than before.
- New Ford Raptor comes with a twin-turbo V6; V8 powertrain in the works
- Gets a new Terrain Management System with seven driving modes
- Available with 37-inch tyres and 24-inch coil springs
New Ford F-150 Raptor: design and styling
The new F-150 Raptor gets a completely redesigned front-end, with a large blacked-out grille and LED headlights. The ‘power dome’ hood features a new heat extractor and functional side vents, inspired by the intakes of the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. The taillights also get the blacked-out treatment and there’s also an optional tailgate applique with the large ‘Ford’ text.
In addition, both front and rear bumpers are made out of steel for durability, with the rear one specifically designed for high clearance, tucking the dual exhaust tips high up against the truck. The new Raptor also gets a wider front skid plate. Ford also offers Rigid off-road lights as an option, with the units being integrated into the front bumper.
New Ford F-150 Raptor: interior
The all-new Ford Raptor gets a completely redone interior, with two 12-inch screens taking centre stage. One screen is for the customizable digital instrument cluster while the other is for the infotainment system. It also receives an all-new steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters, along with aluminium trim on the doors, instrument panel and centre console. As options, the Raptor can also be specced with carbon fibre interior trim and Recaro seats.
The new Raptor gets Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, FordPass connected car technology and is even capable of receiving over-the-air updates. Other features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an 18-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo, a 360-degree parking camera and cruise control.
New Ford F-150 Raptor: engine and powertrain details
Under the bonnet of the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, there’s a revised version of the twin-turbo 3.5-litre Ecoboost V6 engine as the outgoing model, paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission. While Ford is yet to reveal the final figures of the engine, the company did confirm that these will be “relatively unchanged” “compared to the previous-gen model, which made 450hp and 691Nm of torque. Every model of the new F-150 Raptor will come with a standard electronic locking rear differential, while a Torsen front limited-slip differential is optional.
Interestingly, the carmaker also confirmed the existence of the highly-anticipated Raptor R model with a V8 engine, which will debut next year.
New Ford F-150 Raptor: off-road gear
The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is packed with a lot of new off-road technology. There’s a new Terrain Management System with seven driving modes: Slippery, Tow/Haul, Sport, Normal, Off-Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl. These modes adjust the steering feel, transfer case behaviour, stability control, active valve exhaust, active damping system, throttle mapping, and transmission shift logic.
A new, Raptor-specific feature is the standard Trail 1-Pedal Drive, a system designed to aid in extreme off-road situations. The system simplifies the footwork of the driver by combining both acceleration and brake operations into the accelerator pedal – press to move forward, release to brake.
Ford is also offering either 35 or 37-inch tyres. The 37-inch tyres offer a ground clearance of 13.1 inches, along with 33.1 degrees of approach angle, a maximum 24.9 degrees of departure angle, and 24.4 degrees of breakover angle.
New Ford F-150 Raptor: chassis and suspension
The new F-150 Raptor sits on a fully boxed high-strength steel frame that’s been reinforced in key areas, like the front shock towers which are now taller and stronger, redesigned ‘off road-friendly’ trailing arm brackets, stronger rear shock brackets and new coil spring brackets.
Ford has reengineered the rear suspension to a new, Raptor-specific five-link setup with coil springs in order to deliver more control and power to the ground and give the driver greater confidence over rough terrain at high speeds. The new five-link rear suspension comes with extra- long trailing arms to better maintain axle position, a Panhard rod, and 24-inch coil springs -the longest in the segment.
Another highlight is the new electronically controlled Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks with position-sensitive damping adjustability. These are the largest shocks ever installed on a Raptor, featuring anodized aluminum bodies that measure 3.1 inches in diameter filled with an all-new low-friction fluid specially designed to decrease frictional losses for better comfort off and on road. The Live Valve shocks come with new, race-proven electronically controlled base valves that allow up to 1,000 lbs of damping per corner at desert speeds.
Ford claims that the new suspension sensors can change the damping rates independently at each corner 500 times per second, enabling the truck to respond by the time the driver even registers a terrain change.
New Ford F-150 Raptor: why is it relevant to India
There is no official news yet regarding Ford’s decision to bring the new Raptor to India. However, the carmaker will bring down the outgoing Ranger Raptor to India as a CBU. The pick-up truck has even been spotted undergoing testing in India.
In India, Ford’s joint venture (JV) with Mahindra has been called off, with both automakers mutually coming to this decision. However, despite the JV no longer being in effect, Mahindra and Ford will continue with their original plan to jointly produce the mid-size C-SUV and other models in India.