At first glance, the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor takes the same approach as the standard F-150. For better or for worse, it doesn’t look as different or more exciting than the truck that came before, regardless of whether you’re studying your physique or looking at the cab. However, more than even the buttered truck on which Ford relied, the third-generation Raptor hides great innovations. A V8, however, is not among them (at least not yet).
We thought about starting that particular band-aid first. Despite media reports and spy videos, this Raptor will continue to work with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with turbo (much to the delight of a rival). The Blue Oval isn’t sharing power values yet, but with Ram TRX’s over 700 horsepower, last year’s Raptor numbers – 450 HP and 510 foot-pounds – may seem a little weak if they really reappear for 2021 model year . As for a more powerful rival to the Ram, it looks like one will come next year with the Raptor R, but Ford was unable to confirm anything beyond the name of the truck.
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The good news is that the Raptor’s new call will be even stronger thanks to a new exhaust system of equal length. A “trombone loop” pairs with active valves, allowing the three-inch tube to produce more (or less) sound as needed. Four different exhaust modes – Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baja – must operate in the same way as in the Mustang, and can be changed based on the driver’s preference or the selected driving mode. Based on the samples that Ford launched, this could be the first 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with good sound.
Speaking of these driving modes, there are seven, doing all the normal things (adjusting the transmission / accelerator behavior, damper firmness, etc.). Driving modes, however, are an important way to take advantage of the fully revised Raptor suspension. Never an area where this high-performance truck has failed, the third generation model goes far beyond its predecessors.
Ford has completely redesigned the rear suspension, adopting a five-link rear with super long arms and a Panhard rod, the pair of which must offer impressive articulation. There are new Fox dampers in 3.1-inch bodies and massive 24-inch helical springs in all four corners, too, blessing the Raptor with huge levels of wheel travel – 14.0 inches at the front and 15.0 at the rear.
You will only get these impressive statistics with standard 35 inch tires, but let’s be honest, we all want the odious 37 inch optional tires, even if the suspension travel drops to 13.0 in the front and 14.1 in the rear. Regardless of the size you choose, the rubber in question is the BFGoodrich KO2 and they come with one of three wheel options (including two options with rubber locking capability).
But despite these changes, Raptor’s evolutionary approach to, well, a lot of things is what’s going to hit consumers. This exterior design, despite the new hood, revised dashboard and adjusted tailgate, is still dangerously similar to last year’s truck (as we predicted). We like the specially different touches – the hood and its electric dome, along with the side grilles, are big improvements. And we’re fine with SuperCrew being the only body style so far, too.
But if you expected a revolution, the Raptor does not comply. This is also true in the interior, where modest aesthetic updates blend with the overall design of the standard F-150. You’ll have some orange accents here and there, a touch of carbon fiber trim and Shelby GT500 paddle shifters, but that’s as much as the cabin goes.
Since Ford isn’t sharing power or torque values yet, it’s no surprise that the Blue Oval doesn’t tell us how much the new Raptor will cost when it goes on sale this summer. The 2020 Raptor SuperCrew started at $ 56,440 (not including the $ 1,695 destination fee), so if the modest price increases for the F-150 are an indication, we would bet that the 2021 Raptor will remain a bid below $ 60,000 to start . Look for much, much more in the new Ford F-150 Raptor in the coming weeks and months.