Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8

Drew Phillips — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford SVT Raptor with 6.2-liter V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If Ford had only offered the 5.4-liter V8 in the SVT Raptor and called it a day, we doubt anyone would have complained. Just the fact that the Blue Oval even had the guts to build such a vehicle deserves applause. But they didn't. The 2009 SEMA Show saw the introduction of Ford's 6.2-liter V8 in the most capable off-roading production truck ever built.

The larger powerplant offers increased performance - 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft torque to be exact - while matching the fuel economy of the lower displacement V8. Ford claims that the 6.2 will propel the Raptor about a second and a half faster to 60 mph, putting it in in the low seven second range. We doubt many owners will take their Raptors to the drag strip, but the extra power will surely be useful in gaining more speed for going off jumps.

The price increase is relatively reasonable - just $3,000 more - putting the starting MSRP at $41,995. Hit the jump for the press release or check out our gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8

SEMA 2009: Ford SVT Raptor even more appealing with 6.2-liter V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: U.S. Border Patrol considering Ford F150 SVT Raptor

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Etc., Government/Legal, Work, Ford

2010 Ford F150 SVT Raptor - Click above image for high-res gallery

Very few people have ridden in Ford's upcoming Raptor; we have. And allow us to tell you what: it's astonishing. Perhaps the single most impressive production vehicle ever, even if the prototypes we rode shotgun in were only 90% complete. That good, really? Yes, truly. Imagine bounding across the Nevada desert at 100 mph (fuel cutoff) and then leaping 45 feet through the air, landing, and doing it again and again and again. That is the magic of SVT and their Raptor.

With that in mind, what government agency could make use of such a steroidal, hardcore truck? No, not FEMA. Exactly, the Border Patrol. We can think of no vehicle more suited to running down a gang of coyotes that Ford's uber-off roader. After all, the SVT Raptor was developed in the grueling deserts of Southern California and Northern Mexico, the Boarder Patrol's home turf. And with 11.2 inches of gas-shock suspension travel in the front and 13.4 inches out back, there is very little - if anything - that will slow this beast down.

The Customs and Border Protection division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reportedly wants at least ten of these monsters. Pickuptrucks.com indicates that the government's purchasing agents are requesting bare bones work interiors instead of the fancy leather and Synced up cockpits found in the consumer models. In our estimation, this change would only serve to make the Raptor even more functional and/or intimidating. No word on whether the Feds would like to go for the 5.4-liter Triton V8, or the much more powerful all-new 6.2-liter V8. Either way, keep an eye peeled if you need to make a run for the border.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

REPORT: U.S. Border Patrol considering Ford F150 SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000

Drew Phillips — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Ford

When Ford developed the F-150 SVT Raptor R, the Blue Oval wanted to make sure that it could offer the ultimate in off-road performance. We were pretty much sold after experiencing the truck in the Nevada desert, but Ford wanted to prove the Raptor's capabilities to the world. So Ford entered a modified version of the truck into the Baja 1000, confident that the race-ready Raptor could hold its own in the 631-mile competition. The SVT team entered with realistic expectations, hoping to simply finish a race that has a knack for providing unexpected challenges at every turn. Mission: accomplished. The SVT Raptor not only crossed the finish line, but it did so with flying colors by finishing third in the Class 8 division. This is especially impressive considering the Raptor is built for the lower-level Stock Full class in which it couldn't compete because the production version is not yet for sale. For more details you can check out PickupTrucks.com's live blog of the race, and we've also posted a short video of the SVT Raptor in action, along with the press release, after the jump.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R completes inaugural run of Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: SVT Raptor gettin' down and dirty

Drew Phillips — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The recently-introduced Ford F-150 SVT Raptor seems to elicit emotional responses that range from "What's the point?" to "I need one NOW!" Opinions aside, the fact is that the SVT Raptor is one highly capable truck. We were able to get a ride in the passenger seat of one in the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas, and can attest to its ability to handle everything thrown at it. The beefy suspension upgrades and BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/KO tires make the Raptor the best off-roading production truck ever built. Period. The guys at SVT weren't shy about exploiting this, and seemed to especially love kicking up as much dirt as possible (we're still cleaning all the dust out of our cameras). Ford recently posted some beautiful new photos of the Raptor doing just that, which we've added to the high-res gallery below. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

[Source: Ford]

Pics Aplenty: SVT Raptor gettin' down and dirty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment

Drew Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has officially taken the wraps off its latest variant of the F-150, the 2010 SVT Raptor. Just like it did in 1993 with the SVT Lightning, Ford has paved the way for a new segment of trucks, although this time with a dedicated off-roader capable of handing both sand dunes and trips to the grocery store. Major differences between the Raptor and the standard F-150 include a unique grille and a body that is a full seven inches wider. Other design elements include functional hood extractors and a special optional graphics package.

Don't think for a second that this is a simple exterior package, however. The Raptor comes with a completely redesigned front suspension utilizing new upper and lower A arms, upgraded tie rods, new half shaft joints, and shocks from Fox Racing. In total, the front suspension has a full 11.2 inches of travel and 13.4 inches in the rear. BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires with a unique rubber compound provide a compromise of off-road capability and on-road civility. Power comes from the tried and true 5.4L Triton V8 pumping out 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft torque, although Ford's new 6.2L V8 will be available at a later date.

While the Raptor will be on the show floor tomorrow at SEMA, we were fortunate enough to get an early peek today including a ride across the Nevada desert outside Las Vegas. We can truly say we were immensely impressed with the Raptor's off-road capabilities and, like everyone else who got a ride, exited the passenger seat with a huge smile. We usually think of sports cars as being the best vehicles to get our adrenaline going, but skimming over the desert at high speeds apparently does it just as well. Full details of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor are in the press release after the jump, and plenty of our own high-resolution pictures, as well as Ford's, can be found in the galleries below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor LIVE

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment

SEMA 2008: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor unveiled in its natural environment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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