Website design By BotEap.comBorn in Baja and designed by Ford Truck’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), the all-new 2010 F-150 Raptor is built from the ground up. Another truck from Ford that is “Built Ford Tough” and truly lives up to its name, the Raptor is ready to tackle the untamed terrain of off-road racing.

Website design By BotEap.comOn November 25, 2008, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck survived the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, finishing the race in 25:28:10, resulting in a third place finish in its class.

Website design By BotEap.comAs any off-roader will tell you, the key to an off-road vehicle is its chassis, suspension, and shocks. With the Raptor’s extravagant seven-foot-wide body covered in digital mud, an industry-first long-travel suspension, it’s a truck that’s sure to turn heads on or off the road.

Website design By BotEap.comA seven-inch wider track over a regular F-150, with reinforced gussets suspended by unique front coil springs and rear leaf springs, is what gives the Raptor its impressive front/rear suspension articulation of 11.2 and 12.1 inches, respectively. SVT stampings on the aluminum control arms are another cool feature. But the real magic lies in Fox Racing’s massive three-stage internal bypass shocks. On the road, the Raptor looks a lot like the F-150 with four-wheel drive and the softer suspension it’s based on, with the shock absorbers keeping the body from wobbling during transitions.

Website design By BotEap.comAt each corner are beefed-up disc brakes (13.8 front, 13.7 rear) surrounded by 17-inch alloy wheels and SVT-specific 35-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. Geared 4.10:1 differentials spin heavy rolling stock, and the rear axle sports an electronic looper that can wrap both wheels for maximum traction. The two-stage electronic stability control system also has a special off-road mode that raises the threshold for antilock and skid brake intervention, sharpens throttle response, remaps the six-speed automatic transmission to hold gears for longer time and allows the locking differential to remain engaged up to the vehicle’s maximum speed. A hill descent control system helps limit speed while crawling down steep grades.

Website design By BotEap.comThe most amazing feature of the Raptors is that it behaves like a normal F-150 on the road. Braking performance is respectable, and the added suspension damping makes for a compliant ride with less rear-axle hop common in unloaded pickups.

Website design By BotEap.comThe mostly standard F-150 cabin has nicely bolstered sport seats and a contoured steering wheel to keep you supported and comfortable as you drive. Other touches include white-faced SVT gauges and console-mounted controls for the off-road electronics and auxiliary power switches. There are other cool details, too, including skid plates, hood and fender heat extractors, hydroformed bumpers, and LED marker lights on the grille and flared wheel arches. Available colors will be limited to orange, black, blue or white.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you really like power and speed, you might want to wait until early next year, when a new 6.2-liter Boss V-8, with around 400 horsepower, will be available.

Website design By BotEap.comFord says its Dearborn truck plant will be able to produce up to 5,000 Raptors per year and that plenty of high-performance accessories will be available in the near future.

Website design By BotEap.comSPECS

Website design By BotEap.comVehicle Type: Front Engine, 4 Wheel Drive, 5 Passenger 2+2 Door Truck

Website design By BotEap.comEngine type: SOHC 24-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Website design By BotEap.comDisplacement: 330 cubic inches, 5400 cc

Website design By BotEap.comPower (SAE net): 310 bph @ 5,000 rpm

Website design By BotEap.comTorque (SAE net): 365 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm

Website design By BotEap.comTransmission: 6-speed automatic