REPORT: Ford working on F-150 "Raptor"
click above for more high-res pics of the 2009 Ford F-150
There are rumors circulating the web of a Ford truck so freakin' cool it'd make even the most Euro-centric bloggers among us stop dead in our tracks, and if true, would make everything else do just the same.
The report claims that Ford is working on a derivative of the all-new F-150 pick-up internally known as "Raptor". The pumped-up version of the popular truck is said to feature a long-travel suspension (developed with Fox Racing), 35-inch tires, and – wait for it – a possibly turbocharged version of the upcoming Boss V8. Essentially a Baja 1000 or Dakar racing truck available to the public, the Raptor would be capable of covering rough terrain at high speeds, and also feature distinctive bodywork wider and lower than a conventional F-150. Word of the Boss V8 finding its way into an F-150 has also led to speculation that Ford is preparing a new Lightning, but the Raptor seems much, much cooler. If given the green light, the Raptor could be a year-and-a-half to two years away. Stay tuned.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Guenther 7:36AM (1/29/2008)
Long travel suspension is cool, but a turbo Boss? Might be a bit much, as it'll drive cost up another 7-10k by itself. A hot cam good for 420hp should be plenty.
Sorry- have to take my pot-shot: Will they get a 9th grader to redesign a grill for it instead of the one drawn by a 9 year old? The last iteration was OK, but this just looks stoopid.
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C.W. 8:15AM (1/29/2008)
opinions are a dime a dozen. there are plenty out there who find this truck to be truly B.A.
if you're seriously considering turning your existing F150 into a baja capable off-road monster, then i am sure you are aware of the cost associated with that. 7-10k for the turbo-charged BOSS???... bring it baby!
everyone seems to think when they read these posts that it means everyone will be stuck with the higher cost of said model... truth is, it is for a niche! these people are drooling for this truck! if you're not drooling, then you arent one of these people!
Wunderbird 8:29AM (1/29/2008)
Sounds like a one-off concept to me. Will probably see it at some future auto show and that will be the end of it.
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Koko 8:54AM (1/29/2008)
Either way...concept or for sale to the public. I'd love to see it!
Throwback 9:12AM (1/29/2008)
Sounds interesting, but I would rather have the upcoming Euro Focus RS, in black please.
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jfa 10:21AM (1/29/2008)
Most guys that are into the pre runner scene do not used forced induction. I love the idea of this truck but it needs to be NA!!
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C.W. 9:33AM (1/29/2008)
this is not just a one-off... it is for sure happening. i have heard from dealers that they have already been shown pictures of the truck and that it is 100% for sure happening because they expressed the same skepticism. apparently it is unbelieveably sweet...
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PAT 10:04AM (1/29/2008)
I have always wanted one of the truck manufacturers to do this! I was hoping it would be GM, I might just switch sides if they do this right.
CW, dealers have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to new or prototype vehicles. They feed people load of whatever they want to hear.
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C.W. 11:18AM (1/29/2008)
sometimes yes... in this case.. no...
the large metro detroit dealers have montly meetings with the head of marketing and sales... it is at these meetings they express concern, disappointment with product, future plans, etc.
across the board they are expressing explicit feedback regarding this.
3seriesisking 10:58AM (1/29/2008)
Raptor?? The word Raptor denotes stealth and grace striking with deadly precision. The name in no way should ever be given to a pick-up. No matter how bad-ass it is. There is no way a "box" silhouette can be called a Raptor.
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Christian 11:12AM (1/29/2008)
Yes you're right 3seriesisking, we should to boring alpha-numerical names, that mislead about the displacement of the motor.
"Raptor" is fine for a hardcore sport truck for "attacking" obstacles, terrain, whatever.
3seriesisking 11:57AM (1/29/2008)
Christian. Seeing as how F-150 moniker has suited Ford just fine for oh the better part of the last half-century in making its half-ton pickup the best seller of all time, I think the alpha-numerical route has worked out pretty well. My point was simply that the "Raptor" name commands a certain grace about it.....of which no pickup can claim to have because a pickup needs no grace, that's not what they are built for. They are built for work, not grace. No matter how B/A the truck is it is still a truck.
C.W. 11:20AM (1/29/2008)
you both are dumb. its an internal code name. kind of like when the mustang svt project launched and it's code name was "petunia"... its whatever name they give it for internal purposes. or are you telling me you were online blogging about how "petunia" in no way should have been a mustang code name? come on, lighten up. its a name. wait till the vehicle comes out and then find something about it to complain about.
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Christian 1:18PM (1/29/2008)
Oh I suspect it is a code name. But ALL Ford's sport and specialty trucks and all have names. Ford Lightning (never even "F-150" since 98), Ford Bronco, Ford Ranger. Ford Explorer SportTrac..etc.
non 9:40PM (1/29/2008)
hey genius, "petunia" was the code name for the Ford GT, not some SVT Mustang. Who's dumb now?
C.W. 10:09PM (1/29/2008)
i guess you would be the one that is dumb because petunia originated as the Mustang SVT program. it was then revived for the GT. years later.
wow... how sad.
non 3:03AM (1/30/2008)
Which SVT Mustang are you talking about? Petunia was used in the 90's on a mid-engine 2-seater sports car project Neil Ressler led that later evolved into the Ford GT concept car.
Freestyle4x4f150 11:22AM (1/29/2008)
Living here in So Cal where there are so many "pre runner" trucks, especialy Ford Rangers and Ford F150s, this would selll bigtime here!
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C.W. 11:23AM (1/29/2008)
besides, did you ever see Jurassic Park? Raptors are B.A.!!!
and we all know that Jurassic park is basically true. not part 3 though.
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Randy 4:06PM (1/29/2008)
That's very cool! I can't wait to see it wider and lower with the sweet tires! Even without the beefed up suspension it will be incredible if they build it!
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