Thursday 3 October 2024
Guest Post

GUEST – All about the 2017 Ford F150 Raptor

The new Ford F150 Raptor is lean, mean and sashays off-road like a queen. With tyres upgraded to tackle the untamed terrain, the Ford F150 Raptor can easily deal with ruts and ravines for miles on end on a sandy trail. And what’s more; it can do so whilst achieving triple digit readings of the speedometer (Where it’s safe and legal to do so, of course). We just cannot stop raving about this beast. Here we have provided you with all the information you need to know about the 2017 Ford Raptor. A huge thanks to 51stateautos for providing this post

Next-generation upgrades: technological advance

There are so many crucial new generation upgrades that have completely changed our outlook towards off-road trucks. And the 2017 F150 Raptor is at the forefront of technological advances. Let’s start with the most prominent one- the engine. It’s a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, but it comes with two turbochargers, offering enhanced boosting (18 psi maximum), which is more than the previous incarnation of the F150. Ford is going from strength to strength with its range of EcoBoost engines, and this is one of the most exciting to date.

The twin-turbo V6 puts out a monumental 450 horsepower and earth-moving 510 lb-ft torque. This is really amazing when compared to other Ford Raptors. For example, the specs of the old 3.5-litre V6 are as lesser by 70 horsepower and 40 lb-ft. Suprisingly, Ford’s mighty 6.2-litre V8 can’t beat it in a game of top trumps: the new Ford F150 Raptor is higher in value by a margin of 39 horsepower and 76 lb-ft of torque.

The Ford F150 Raptor features a body made from military grade, high-resistance aluminium which just sounds tough. The practical advantage of this is that it, when combined with the use of a valvetrain that is lesser in weight, results in the new Ford F150 Raptor being up to 500 pounds than its predecessors. The box frame is built with the uncompromising strength of steel. According to Ford itself, this Ford F150 Raptor is the most dependable Raptor to be made to date.

As for the gearbox, the 2017 Ford F150 Raptor has a total of 3 overdrive gears. That is essentially a 10-speed automatic which, if you choose manual mode via the twin magnesium paddles behind the steering wheel, will keep you busy. The ratio spread does well to squeeze the most out of the twin-turbo and also provides improved fuel efficiency on the motorway. As little reduction as 5 percent of the aerodynamic drag increases the economy, but don’t expect the F150 to be cheap to run: with 15 mpg for city driving and 18 mpg for motorway, you’ll be on first name terms with the local petrol station staff!

Built to handle both on and off-road

The Ford F150 Raptor features very versatile handling capabilities. It has heavy duty suspension to cope with the most extreme of terrain, and yet it doesn’t compromise on-road handling: it is a very well behaved cruiser indeed. Admittedly, this is a sizeable vehicle and tight corners are not its forte. But then again; could a Mustang tackle a desert trail like the F150 could?

The Ford F150 Raptor can handle roughness to the point of abuse, and then some more. Its marvelous suspension is capable of handling potholes and chatter bumps with smooth ease.

All in all, the Ford F150 Raptor is a real winner. By improving engine technology and lightening the vehicle, Ford has made a faster yet more economical beast. Not too long ago big, American trucks were beyond consideration here in the UK. With the rise of the pick-up here as well as the advanced technology, the 2017 F150 Raptor could change that. It’s a tempting proposition…

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