Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named 2010 Truck of Texas
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 19th 2009 at 10:00AM 
It's no secret that the Texas Auto Writer's Association loves Ford trucks: The Blue Oval's F-Series pickups have won the Truck of Texas award six straight times. Actually, you can make that seven straight times now, with the F-150 SVT Raptor taking the top honor this year in the Lone Star State.
We didn't go through the precise reasoning of the F-150's dominance in previous years, but the arrival of the Raptor probably made the choice just too easy this time around. After having driven the Raptor ourselves we knew that there is simply nothing like it, and nothing anywhere near as good as it is, to be found in the OEM pickup truck world. When you throw in the purchase price of $39K for the 5.4-liter, you're going to look hard to find a similarly priced competitor in the OEM or aftermarket. The press is after the jump, and to Ford, congratulations are well deserved.
UPDATE: Turns out that the F-150 was actually named this year's Truck of Texas, not the SVT Raptor model specifically. The Raptor was, however, named best "Full-size Pickup Truck". You can check out the corrected press release that Ford just sent out after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE
POWERED BY SVT RAPTOR, FORD F-150 NAMED 2009 'TRUCK OF TEXAS;' FORD WORKS WINS 'OUTSTANDING FEATURE'
- 2010 Ford F-150, powered by SVT Raptor, captures the "2009 Truck of Texas" title, named by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), the seventh consecutive award for Ford
- Ford Work Solutions productivity technology, developed for commercial fleet customers, named "Outstanding Feature"
- Ford truck lineup also wins "Truck Line of Texas," recognizing its capability, durability
DALLAS, Oct. 19, 2009 – The 2010 Ford F-150, powered by the all-new SVT Raptor, was named 2009 "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), the seventh consecutive time a Ford F-Series truck has won the award. Additionally, F-150 SVT Raptor was named best "Full-size Pickup Truck."
"Winning the Truck of Texas is a distinct honor," said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company. "Texans know their trucks, and this award is further proof of why the F-Series remains America's number-one selling pickup. We built F-150 SVT Raptor for truck enthusiasts. And we're gratified it's gaining recognition for both its unequaled off-road performance and confidence-inspiring on-road demeanor."
Ford trucks also took the "Truck Line of Texas," a distinguished honor recognizing the best-in-class capability and durability of Ford's lineup.
Another top honor, "Outstanding Feature," went to Ford Work Solutions, a suite of productivity technologies developed for the commercial truck owner. The system includes an in-dash computer that connects with the home office; Tool Link that keeps track of costly tools and equipment; Cable Lock, which locks up tools in the open truck box; and Crew Chief, a telematics system, giving the fleet manager more control of his/her fleet of vehicles.
Ford F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds – a combination no other competitor can match.
With the launch of the all-new 2009 model, the truck improved its fuel economy by an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup, thanks to a wide range of engineering enhancements. The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume three-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Plus, the F-150's SFE package – which is available on highest-volume XL and XLT series – delivers unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
This summer, Ford introduced the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, designed as a purpose-built, high-speed off-road truck ready for adventure. Raptor also is versatile enough to handle the daily commute. To test the capability and durability of Raptor, Ford took a modified pre-production Raptor to the grueling 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this past November. The early-build Raptor not only survived Baja, it earned a podium finish in its class.
Key enablers to the Raptor's impressive performance are functional design cues and impressive suspension technology. The Raptor is seven inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance.
Internal triple-bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox – the first on a production truck – provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme off-roading and a smooth ride on the road. In addition to the shocks, Raptor has unique cast-aluminum front control arms and SVT-tuned 35-inch BFGoodrich® All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires. These components give Raptor 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear suspension travel.
The F-150 SVT Raptor comes standard with the proven 5.4-liter SOHC V-8 engine that produces up to 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. In early 2010 customers will have the option of an even more powerful new 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
Customer anticipation has been extremely high, with 3,000 orders already received for the 5.4-liter F-150 SVT Raptor. In fact, initial dealer orders have the Dearborn Truck Plant building Raptors at maximum capacity, reflecting the strong demand for the first-ever factory high-speed off-road truck.
Starting price for the F-150 SVT Raptor is $38,995 including destination and delivery charges.
In total, Ford won eight of 18 awards, including Lincoln MKX as "Mid-size CUV," Ford Flex as "Full-size CUV," and Ford F-150 King Ranch as "Luxury Pick-up Truck," and Ford Expedition as "Full-size SUV."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BigDumbFace 10:10AM (10/19/2009)
If I lived in a dry climate I'd probably have one of these and take it off-road too.
Makes sense to have one of these in Texas/southwest.
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ello 10:43AM (10/19/2009)
@CW, it really depends on your definition of off-roading, if you mean a couple of sand dunes (with not too much inclination angles) then yeah, Raptor is a fast off-roader. BUT what really Raptor is a a jacked up F150 with a modified suspension and a powerful engine, this thing doesn't really have the transmission of Terrain response system of a Grand Cherokee or Land Rover. Believe me, it a lot easier to make a pickup truck that goes fast over a fairly flat desert than to make a real off-roader that can actually climb boulders, wanna go fast on a desert just get a dune buggy. Again, Raptor is a good truck for what it is BUT saying that this is better than Hummer H1 is just showing that you know jack about REAL 4x4s. Again, F150 Raptor inclination angle is around 31 degrees and departure around 23, which is rather pathetic for a so called off-roader with 11.5 ground clearance. Compare that to over 60 degree inclination angle of Hummer H1 or 40 degree of Jeep Wrangler and you get the picture. Just stating facts. Just too much hype over a rather average product (considering it's price).
Dan 4:15PM (10/19/2009)
Crapping on this because it sucks as a rock crawler makes about as much sense as crapping on Wranglers because they suck in the slalom.
Kowell 10:09AM (10/19/2009)
That's like saying the Prius won the "Toyota eco-lovers car of the year" award... or that the vegetarian association named vegetables the food of the year.
Still a pretty kickass pickup though.
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Yaroukh 10:25AM (10/19/2009)
Well, Ford happens to make great trucks. (I admit it, I am Ford-fan but still...) Even among those trucks Raptor is pure awesomeness. Plus it perfectly fits Texas environment.
Now compare that with other polls/awards where the "trucks" category has like 10 contestants out of which 2-3 are actually trucks.
Avinash machado 10:14AM (10/19/2009)
This is the Wrangler of Pick Up Trucks.
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mapoftazifosho 10:20AM (10/19/2009)
It's a full-size thing...Jeeps wouldn't understand...
ello 10:26AM (10/19/2009)
Actually Jeep Wrangler is a much more capable off-roader than the Raptor. Sure the Raptor an go fast on a desert but this thing is not meant for steep inclines or boulders, just doesn't have the approach/departure angles to do it, also, it really doesn't have any sophisticated 4x4 systems found in Grand Cherokee, Land Rovers, or even Hummer H2. I mean, I like the Raptor but this is not a Hummer H1 replacement, not even close.
C.W. 10:31AM (10/19/2009)
@ ello...
you're right... it's not an H1 replacement... it exceeds the H1 in so many ways it's not even worth having the discussion.
while not as small and nimle as the Wrangler (which i love), it blows away any Chrysler/Jeep vehicle or their 'sophisticated' 4x4 systems. you would be surprised how few actually participate in any 'rock crawling' as opposed to off-road driving, or semi-off road driving... with towing... so it sort of takes the 'approach and departure angle' advantage away from the Wrangler...
but you're right if you plan on crawling up boulders on your weekends. Wrangler would be the way to go.
Shamdiddly 10:33AM (10/19/2009)
@ ello, you can put your Jeep p3n0r back in your pants; this Ford and Jeep don't belong in the same conversation.
Ford has no purpose-built trucks to go travel the Rubicon and Jeep has nothing to compete with this:
"Ford's 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor is a purpose-built, high-speed off-road truck"
I cannot believe you didn't turn this into a solid axle vs. IFS argument too. :P
DayShifter 12:09PM (10/19/2009)
@C.W.
"..you're right... it's not an H1 replacement... it exceeds the H1 in so many ways it's not even worth having the discussion..."
You know what an H1 is right?!? We're not talking about H2-3, this would be the consumer version of the original Humvee. So you think this Ford is ready to take on the harsh environments of the middle east?!?! LOL!!
why not the LS2LS7? 11:53AM (10/19/2009)
C.W:
This thing isn't great at towing either.
I'm not quite sure what you're getting at or why you're getting up modded for it.
The H1 will best this thing at nearly everything, not just bouldering. Of course, the H1 is a lot more expensive (if you can get it at all anymore).
ello (as big a jerk as he is being) is also correct that the sophisticated 4WD systems found in other vehicles are a much better match for traveling over sand than this things' suspension is. You'd better have your sand ladders ready for this thing, let's put it that way.
This truck has polarized a lot of people into making some pretty asinine arguments, both for and against. Maybe Ford is onto something.
John 12:26PM (10/19/2009)
@ ello
Im sure Ford wasn't trying to make a Wrangler competitor or H1 replacement or Land Rover eater or what have you, but there IS NO OTHER *PICK UP* out there that is this off-road ready from the showroom, unless Jeep decides to make a Rubicon JT or Gladiator.....and even then the Jeep would be for scaling boulders, not running the Baja 1000 which the Raptor is more suited to, you have to consider the purpose of each vehicle,, otherwise its like you trying to compare an H1 to a Corolla......
SteveO 12:49PM (10/19/2009)
@John:
Actually, the Dodge Ram Power Wagon comes from the showroom floor extremely off-road ready. However these are two different kinds of off-road and that is what this argument has turned into.
The Raptor is great for going fast in the Desert/Baja, whereas the Power Wagon is great for climbling over obstacles.
Luso 10:33AM (10/19/2009)
"...it's a full-size thing..."
You can say that again. You would struggle to drive this thing in Europe.
http://www.carnorama.com
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Yaroukh 10:35AM (10/19/2009)
oh how i would love to struggle
*drools*
(:o[ _ _ ___ ___
mapoftazifosho 10:41AM (10/19/2009)
Absolutely! It's so wide it needs the large truck indicator lights!
Allen 11:13AM (10/19/2009)
I can't believe how quickly the 5.4L version of this truck sold. When it gets the 6.2L and 5.0L (I assume it's getting the 5.0L), sales should be even stronger.
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Matt 11:19AM (10/19/2009)
Not the award I would have paid for.....
And the people are right...as a *true* off-roader....this ZR2 F-150 fails hard. As was said above, the terrible;e approach and departure angles really hinder any notable off-road performance. Driving over sand dunes is not a feat.....
But, that won't stop the blind cheerleaders from thumping their chests for the JC Whitney special.
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ello 11:24AM (10/19/2009)
Exactly my point, people get excited over this truck going fast on sand dunes, give me a pickup truck and I'll upgrade the suspension, axles, give it off-road tires and it will go fast on sand. But to make a car capable of conquering real rough terrain such as boulders, rocks, steep inclines/declines takes some serious hardware and technology. And thats where Raptor fails.