Ford unveils new F-150 Raptor performance pickup, confirms V-8 model

DETROIT – Ford Motor is increasing the capacity 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 line of pickups. Although it represents a small amount of Ford’s 800,000 sales of large pickup trucks, the truck attracts significant attention and profits for the company.

“In addition to being a halo product, which is fantastic, it is a very strong business for us from a margin, money perspective,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president for the Americas and international markets. He said it was among “the most profitable F-150 vehicles”, citing Raptor’s pricing power and the company never having to discount the vehicle.

Ford declined to disclose Raptor’s annual sales. He said that in the past four years, the pickup has cumulatively outperformed the entire Porsche sports car line and General Motors’ Chevrolet Corvette. For one perspective, GM has sold around 83,500 Corvettes since 2017.

The Raptor is based on Ford’s regular F-150 pickup, but loaded with a host of off-road and performance features – from a new five-link suspension system to huge 35 or 37 inch tires. It is also larger than the normal model and has an increasingly distinct design.

The current Raptor costs about $ 55,000, but can reach more than $ 75,000 with upgrades. Ford did not disclose prices for the 2021 F-150 Raptor, which will arrive in 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 that our customers have that choice,” said Galhotra of the V-8 model, refusing to discuss further details. “It was a direct response to our customers’ needs, desires and requests … Some of them wanted a more powerful version and that is what we are going to create for them.”

The V-8 model follows the growing competition from Ram Trucks, which last year started producing a Ram 1500 TRX performance pickup with the automaker’s Hellcat V-8 engine. It is capable of 702 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque. Its top speed is 118 mph (limited by off-road tires) and can reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The new Raptor features updated off-road performance and equipment, as well as improved technology inside. The most notable differences from the previous generation are the new 12-inch cockpit and central control screens. The vehicle is also capable of remote internal feature and performance updates.

The new Raptor will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 biturbo engine and features four exhaust modes with different noise levels: quiet, normal, sporty and Baja. The company declined to disclose the engine’s expected power and torque. The current Raptor is rated at 450 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.

“We are especially proud of what we delivered in the exhaust. It is another great example of how we are always listening to our customers,” said program manager Tony Greco during a press conference. “They said they wanted a deeper, more threatening sound from the Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, and they will do it.”