EcoBoost Boost Riles Up New 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Always accepted favourably as a work truck, the Ford F-150 gained a different, more adventurous persona in 2010. A factory-prepped off-roading variant of Ford's best-selling half-ton pickup truck, the F-150 SVT Raptor provided a more playful edge to the vehicle. Distinctive styling, power from a potent 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine and a high travel suspension allowed the Ford F-150 to trek more easily on trails not always explored by a light-duty work truck. Following the revolutionary redesign of the Ford F-150 for 2015, an all-new off-road riding Raptor model destined for the 2017 model year has premiered at Detroit's 2015 North American International Auto Show.

Employing much of the technology applied on the regular half-ton 2015 F-150 as well as racing the Baja 1000 desert race, the revised F-150 Raptor is a lighter, more off-road capable vehicle. Featuring a high-strength steel frame and military-grade aluminum body panels, the Ford F-150 Raptor's design is said to shaved off 500 pounds. The 2017 F-150 Raptor will be six inches wider than the SVT Raptor currently available. Just Like the first iteration of the vehicle, the new F-150 Raptor is unmistakably unique from the base F-150. A new front grille retains an all-black appearance completed with a large 'FORD' badge as well as three amber lights. For 2017, this grille is presented as more 3-D with the wording standing out in front of the meshing. LED lighting and the use of camera technology is also mentioned by Ford as equipment on the 2017 F-150 Raptor pickup truck.

Directly behind the new grille is the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor's all-new EcoBoost V-6 engine. A twin-turbocharged, direct-injected powerplant replacing the current 6.2-liter V-8, this announced high-output version EcoBoost engine promises to better the 411 horsepower and 434-pound-feet of torque already propelling the SVT Raptor. For handling the EcoBoost performance of the 2017 F-150 Raptor, Ford is preparing a 10-speed transmission with manual shift capabilities.

An all-new four-wheel drive system operating with a torque-on-demand transfer case also includes off-road mode driver-assist technology. Additional driver control will be provided with six preset modes where the powertrain, traction control, AdvanceTrac stability control, Anti-lock braking system and driveline is augmented for best performance. Drive settings for the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor consists of Normal, Street, Weather, Mud and Sand, Baja and Rock mode. An optional Torsen front differential will also be offered on the new Raptor.

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is supported by an enhanced suspension coupled delivering even greater wheel travel. While no exact wheel travel measurements numbers were released at the vehicle's Detroit debut, Ford has confirmed it will exceed the current SVT Raptor's 11.2 inches at the front and 12 inches at the rear. Standard equipment includes Fox Racing Shox featuring custom internal bypass technology provides improved damping performance preventing bottoming out. Larger diameter shock canisters delivers better stamina for off-roading. The 2017 model year F-150 Raptor's 17-inch wheels mounted within BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires enable a firm grip on terrain.

Able to trek over difficult terrain, the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor aggressively athletic exterior is accompanied by a tough yet civilized cabin. Offering three colour material levels, the interior is designed to provide comfort off and on trails. For mounting accessories such as additional off-road lighting, the new F-150 Raptor will be furnished with well-placed auxiliary switches.

Reviewing the hardware of the new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor, I'm sure a lot of off-roaders has already planned outings with the specially-configured pickup truck. Unfortunately, those excursions will have to wait until fall of 2016 when the new Raptor is expected for release.

A Canadian Star Car: Red Green's Possum Van

Clip of Possum Van during a Red Green Show season 1 scene transition. It could be argued that the car someone regularly drives can be reflective of their personality. The level of character traits found in our automobiles can range from subtle to flamboyant as practicality, style, power, brand loyalty and other details are factors influencing our vehicle affection. On the big screen and silver screen, an automobile (frequently popularized as a Star Car) can be used to affirmatively to expand on a human character. Batman’s Batmobile, the Dodge Charger called the ‘General Lee’ in Dukes of Hazzard, the Volvo P1800 featured in the 1960s television version of The Saint, the Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in some of the most famous spy movies are some popular examples where vehicles play a major role in reinforcing the appearance of fictional individuals. Due to the budgetary constraints of Canadian media productions, the presence of native Star Cars is rare. However, one success...

Honda’s Secret 30th Anniversary In Indy Car Racing

Photo Credit: Engine Developments Ltd. Too many times, forgetting an anniversary would end with someone spending time in the proverbial doghouse. This has apparently happened this year as the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season concluded with no major celebrations or recognition for what is 30 years since a major current partner of American open wheel racing began participation in the sport. The following article is a collection of the details I’ve learned as well as some insight from engine builder John Judd on what was a quiet 30th anniversary in the Verizon IndyCar Series. During the week where the 30th running of the Canadian street race now known as the Honda Indy Toronto, I was compelled to capture the flavour of the inaugural event. The viewing experience provided me some insight into a period of time where I was too young to absorb auto racing in the manner I do today. A race that featured television coverage with no regular onscreen statistics, the league used a local ...

The 1967 Indy 500: When An STP-Sponsored Turbine Almost Changed Racing

Photo Credit: Uncredited Photographer/IMS LLC Racing has always been the ultimate proving ground for automobiles. Not only has competition promoted innovations big and small, race cars have also influenced overall vehicle appearance. At the 1967 Indianapolis 500, the STP-Paxton TurboCar fielded by the late Andy Granatelli provided a shocking example of how much racing at the speedway evolved over 56 years. Ever since the first 500-mile event was held at the 2.5-mile rectangular oval Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, the winning Marmon Wasp with a rearview mirror paved the way for what would be a grand showcase of automotive development. Accompanying “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” advancements in automobile technology showed greater sophistication with every passing decade in the quest for more speed. During the 1920s and 1930s, American race car designer Henry Miller offered groundbreaking engines to the Indianapolis 500. Miller also gave front-wheel drive technology it...

Car FYI

Search This Blog