Lighter and Faster
The 2017 F-150 Raptor is more powerful and more efficient than its predecessor
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Performance
Ford Performance has long been promising that the new version of the F-150 Raptor would outperform its predecessor thanks to reduced weight and an efficient EcoBoost engine. Well, the official ratings are in and it looks like the engineers have delivered on that promise.
“Raptor was designed to be a no-compromise, off-road performance machine,” said Matt Tranter, Ford Performance engineering supervisor. “That is why we made the switch from the cast-iron V8 to the aluminum block, high-output GTDI V6 EcoBoost engine that our team tuned to add 39 horsepower and 76 lb.-ft. of torque for today’s Raptor.”
The forthcoming Raptor ’s EcoBoost 3.5-liter engine produces 450 horsepower and an earth-moving 510 lb-ft of torque across its broad powerband. It does so thanks to a dual fuel system employing direct-port and port fuel injection to fuel the boost created by an improved twin-turbo system with an electronic wastegate and a variable-displacement oil pump. The turbos are mated to cast stainless steel manifolds and a full dual exhaust.
You can see that performance in action right here…
[video=youtube;QEFlQSCLEIo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFlQSCLEIo[/video]
“Looking at the torque curve of the Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, you see the twin turbos spool quicker for faster time to torque—it hammers quick and keeps delivering torque for a more brawny feel than its V8 predecessor,” Al Cockerill, Raptor’s powertrain development engineer, said.
Besides the improved EcoBoost engine, the new Raptor is 500 pounds lighter thanks to its aluminum alloy body and a high-strength steel frame. Moreover, its new 10-speed transmission helps efficiency with closer ratios between gears. It also shaves weight as it is the first to used advance alloys in lieu of cast iron.
All told this makes for a truck that performs better with a 21 percent improvement in average torque-to-weight ratio. It is also a lot more efficient, as EPA-rated combined fuel economy is 23 percent better than the last-gen Raptor.
Of course, there is plenty of tech on board to help efficiency and performance. The new truck uses Auto Stop-Start to help the mileage, while its adaptive shift algorithms and six Terrain Management System modes—normal, sport, weather, mud/sand, rock/crawl and Baja—driving modes help put the power down.
“The torque-on-demand transfer case and six-mode Terrain Management System is unique to Raptor in the Ford family of vehicles,” Matt said. “It gives you the benefit of a clutched all-wheel-drive system for easy around-town maneuverability in bad weather. Then, there’s Baja Mode, which automatically engages a mechanically locked 4X4 high, and optimizes throttle response, shifting and boost control to provide improved off-road capability. That’s definitely drawing a line in the sand.”
The new truck will be available late this year and the manufacturer’s suggested retail will clock in at under $50,000.
The new 2017 F-150 Raptor is officially rated at 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, its 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission combine to deliver 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
