Autoblog

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Inside Line Most Wanted 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love award season, even if it is a bit tough to keep up with them all. Motor Trend has a set of golden calipers for its Car, Truck and SUV of the Year winners. Car and Driver has its 10Best. Automobile has the, well, the Automobile of the Year. Then there's Edmunds Inside Line and its six Most Wanted winners. Sure, Most Wanted doesn't enjoy the same sort of name recognition as the aforementioned awards, but at the very least, we tend to like the vehicles IL picks as their favorites. We also appreciate the fact that their selection process isn't exactly chock-full of rules. If they tested the vehicle before November 1, 2009, then it's eligible for Inside Line's six shooter. The only award category that truly stands out is the "Instant Classic," an award won over the last two years by the Audi R8 and the Nissan GT-R, respectively.

This year's list didn't have quite the raw power of last year's winners, but we can definitely see where the final six could be considered big fun on four wheels. The big winner is the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 540-horsepower pony car picked up IL's Instant Classic award for being such a willing dance partner - even at 3,900 pounds. In fact, Blue Oval badges dominate this year's Most Wanted list, as the EcoBoost'd Flex and the wicked cool F-150 SVT Raptor made the final cut. Porsche scored with its new Panamera, while Audi found its way back on the list with the R8 V10. The cheap thrills Mazda3 rounds out this year's list. Click on the gallery below to check out Inside Line's Most Wanted winners in our high-res gallery, then let us know if you agree with their findings by leaving a note in 'Comments.'

Gallery: Inside Line Most Wanted 2009

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST

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

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

When Ford first revealed the new F-150 SVT Raptor a year ago, the initial powerplant was the same 5.4-liter V8 found in more pedestrian F-series trucks. At the launch, however, Ford officials promised that an all-new 6.2-liter V8 would become available right about ... now!. Well a month from now. The order books for the Raptor 6.2 officially open on December 1. Ford has already taken 3,000 orders for the 5.4-liter Raptor and 700 have gone to customers.

Last year, Ford told us the 6.2 would crank out at least 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of twist. Now that the engine has been certified and the final numbers are in, the targets have been exceeded. The 6.2-liter for the Raptor has been officially rated at 411 hp at 5,500 rpm and 434 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm.

According to F-150 Marketing Manager Mark Grueber, the Raptor 6.2 will get to 60 mph 1.5 seconds faster than the 5.4 while matching its fuel economy (as though anyone buying a Raptor will car about MPGs). That should put the 6.2 somewhere in the upper six- to low seven-range for a 0-60 mph run (Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com clocked a Raptor at 8.8 seconds with a brake torque). But take heed, with more power comes a higher MSRP: the new engine will cost $3,000 more than the carryover 5.4, starting at $41,995 delivered.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP

SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

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

Does the idea of a $100,000 pickup truck give you heart palpitations? If so, you might want to skip over the rest of this text. For the past year Ford has been using off-road races like the Baja 500 and 1000 as real world test tracks to prove out the performance and durability of the new F-150 SVT Raptor pickup. The Raptor R that Ford has been racing is actually pretty close to the production truck, although it does have more power and suspension travel.

Now the Ford Racing crew is following in the footsteps of the various FR500 Mustangs of the last five years and offering a factory-built race truck. Called the Raptor XT, it features the same 500-hp 6.2-liter V8 found in the latest edition of the Raptor R. The Raptor XT also gets all the interior amenities of a standard road going Raptor while adding the chrome-moly roll cage and tubular bumpers of the R. The XT even gets the 15-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel travel of the race truck.

Only 50 units of the Raptor XT will be built for the 2011 model year and only the most extreme off-roaders will be willing to pay the $99,950 price tag. Like the FR500 race Mustangs, the Raptor XT is off-road only, but in this case it's really off the road.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck

SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popular Mechanics calls out automotive excellence

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

As we head into the final weeks of yet another year, that means it's time for everyone to pick out their favorites. In this business that means its time to select cars, trucks and SUVs of the year. Over at Popular Mechanics, the editors have put together a list of vehicles that they feel exemplify excellence based on a number of characteristics. For example, the list opens up with what they consider the most off-road capable - a likely easy choice this year with the launch of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

The technical innovation prize went to the new Remote Touch System that appeared in the Lexus HS 250h and RX this year. This joystick control provides haptic feedback when the cursor hits a selection button on the screen. As a result it's not as fiddly as a conventional joystick might be, allowing the driver to keep more attention on the road. Check out the full list of automotive excellence at Popular Mechanics's web site.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Popular Mechanics calls out automotive excellence originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named 2010 Truck of Texas

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

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

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.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford F-150 ~~SVT Raptor~~ named 2010 Truck of Texas

Ford F-150 ~~SVT Raptor~~ named 2010 Truck of Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gets suspension explained by IL

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road

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

In stock form, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is one of the most impressive bits of machinery available from any automaker extant. We've managed to snag some seat time in one a couple of times now, and each time we've walked away mightily impressed. But just what is it that makes the off-road-ready supertruck so good? It's not the powertrain, it's the suspension.

While we've offered a basic walkaround of what makes the Raptor tick, the chaps at Inside Line took it upon themselves to delve a bit deeper into the mystery of the truck's cushy pogo sticks. Chief among the updates that turn an ordinary mild-mannered F-150 into a fire-breathing desert runner are the beautiful cast aluminum lower control arms and the special inverted Fox Racing Shocks with remote reservoirs.

Also worth noting are the 13.8-inch ventilated brake rotors with dual-piston sliding calipers and the beefy 17-inch wheels wrapped in LT315/70R17 All-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich. Add it all up and you've got yourself $38,995 worth of eminently capable pickup goodness - and a hearty "attaboy" for Ford's SVT engineers.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Inside Line]

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gets suspension explained by IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just as we suspected: SVT Raptor minus 1980s decals = More awesome

Alex Nunez — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:48:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford, Specialty

2010 Ford SVT Raptor at Latemodel Restoration Supply - Click above for high-res gallery

If you read some of the model-specific buff books like Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords (raises hand), you're probably familiar with Latemodel Restoration Supply, which always has a multi-page ad in the mag touting its wares. Earlier this week, a shiny new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor visited the retailer's HQ. Photos were taken and posted to Flickr, where we saw them and decided they were definitely worth sharing. The Raptor is interesting on three levels. First off, it's a Raptor. Secondly, it's finished in Blue Flame -- a color that looks extremely good on this truck. (Frankly, we're tired of seeing the orange ones.) Finally, this particular machine rolls without the cheesy, '80s-looking factory bed-side graphics package. End result: a Raptor that's clean and mean. Clearly, this is the way to do it.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in Blue Flame

[Source: Latemodel Restoration Supply]

Just as we suspected: SVT Raptor minus 1980s decals = More awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Four-door Ford F-150 SVT Raptor bagged

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

What could be better than a Ford Raptor for high-speed off-road kicks straight from the factory? Well... nothing as far as we're concerned. But there are roomier things than a Raptor, and Ford looks like it will shortly be addressing that end of the equation. The Blue Oval has received requests for a crew cab version of its new desert-eating monster, and spy shots appear to confirm that the Dearborn automaker has designs on making a proper four-door version.

That added interior space figures to balloon the wheelbase to 145 inches, but for those who need the capacity more than they need to blitzkrieg the outdoors, the move makes sense. PickupTrucks.com expects that we'll see the bigger Raptor at next year's Chicago Auto Show as a 2011 model, and doesn't expect the 5.4 liter to be an option.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: Four-door Ford F-150 SVT Raptor bagged originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, First Drive, Off-Road

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

Although some of us have an unabashed love for all-things off-road, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor didn't register a huge blip on our collective radar. We figured it would be a performance kit that was much more kit than performance, or an off-road wunderkind that makes life a Hobbesian kind of brutish when used anywhere but the moon. We spent two days in Southern California, one of which in the Raptor's Anza Borrego Desert birthplace, to discover one thing: We were wrong. The Raptor is all that. And a bag of chips. And dessert.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

All photos copyright Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough

First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor already a hit with buyers?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford

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

According to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, Ford has a hit on its hands in the form of the new and immensely capable 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor. Ford's Special Vehicle Team spokesperson Patrick Hespen reports that the Blue Oval has already taken over 1,500 orders for its long-travel off-road capable pickup, which puts the Dearborn Truck Plant at maximum capacity.

So far, all those orders are for the standard truck, which at $38,995 includes Ford's well-known 5.4-liter V8 engine with 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. Come winter, an uprated 400-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine will be made available for another few thousand dollars.

Not surprisingly, 94-percent of Raptor purchasers are males (the other six percent are women we're dying to meet), and the median age is 39. Ford reports that Molten Orange Metallic and Tuxedo Black are the two most popular colors, accounting for 80-percent of all Raptor orders so far. No info on how many of those were sold to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor already a hit with buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:32:00 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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Quick Review: Raptor - Born in Baja is Rocky for pickup trucks

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Etc., Videos, Ford, Lifestyle, Off-Road

Raptor: Born in Baja -- Click above to watch video

Autoblog went to the premiere of Raptor - Born in Baja, and while the film is on the long side, it's an enjoyable flick. We wrote before that the truck "only" came in third (out of four total trucks in Class 8), but to finish the Baja 1000 at all is an achievement -- especially when the overall attrition rate is close to 50%. Throw in a truck that had been built in three months and hadn't been tested in any other race before and you've got a little adventure on your hands.

The movie provides plenty more. There's never a good time for things to break, but the Raptor R chose a couple of the most abysmal moments to get sick: it was compelling irony to watch the whole race team wearing "Built Ford Tough" t-shirts gathered around a truck that wouldn't start 90 minutes before the race began.

And if it wasn't the Raptor, it was other trucks in the road holding things up. Still, not only did they get it started, but the Raptor R got to the end with all of its panels and, as far as we could see, no dents -- and it came within minutes of taking second place.

But you'll have to watch the movie to truly glimpse the eye of the tiger... and the thrill of the fight. You can view it on Speed TV on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. EST -- and when you do, look for Pickuptrucks.com's Mike Levine, Jalopnik's Ray Wert, and our own Drew Phillips who make cameos during the SEMA coverage. In the meantime, you can check out the trailer after the jump.

Gallery: Raptor - Born in Baja

Continue reading Quick Review: Raptor - Born in Baja is Rocky for pickup trucks

Quick Review: Raptor - Born in Baja is Rocky for pickup trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The More, the Merrier: Ford considering crew cab Raptor?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Off-Road

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

Packing more badass than a gang of werewolf bikers on mescaline, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor does not require you to be a truck guy to appreciate its purpose. The bold styling, mile-high suspension and big V8 engine under the hood ensure the Raptor stands apart from the rest of the pick-up crowd. But now our man Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com reports that Ford could be considering extending the Raptor's passenger compartment to give it a full four-door crew cab.

The news comes right from the mouth of F-150 marketing manager Mark Grueber, who revealed to Levine that FoMoCo has already received more than 1,000 orders for the new Raptor, but that they've come accompanied by requests from customers for a full crew-cab with four full-sized doors. The increased wheelbase would undoubtedly compromise the vehicle's off-road performance, but is Ford about to tell that to customers waiving fistfuls of cash? Guess we'll have to wait and find out.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

The More, the Merrier: Ford considering crew cab Raptor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor starts at $38,995

John Neff — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

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

Mike Levine of PickupTrucks.com is currently embedded in an F-150 SVT Raptor R with the Ford Racing Team at the "Terrible 250" in Primm, Nevada. Being that close to the action, Levine has managed to wrest some hard info about the upcoming production SVT Raptor from Ford. The off road-ready half-ton will start at just $38,995, which may sound like a lot until you consider this desert flier will be only about $3,000 more than a well-equipped F-150 FX4. The SVT Raptor will launch with Ford's 5.4-liter V8, but soon after will be joined by the company's new 6.2-liter V8, as well. The truck certainly isn't for everyone with its huge tires, high suspension and compensating-for-something "FORD" grille, but those who do go for that kind of thing will at least not get gouged at the checkout counter.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor starts at $38,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog talks hot wheels with Ford's Performance Vehicle leaders

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Truck, Hatchback, Ford

Fans of Ford's American SVT and European ST and RS models will have plenty to look forward to in the next few years. As part of the company's One Ford program to consolidate its platforms and designs, SVT and TeamRS have been brought together under a single organization led by Jost Capito. Earlier this week, we sat down for lunch with Jamal Hameedi and Hermann Salenbauch to discuss what is going on and what we can expect to see in the next few years. Hameedi is the Chief Nameplate Engineer at SVT and Salenbauch is the director of Advanced Product Creation and Performance Vehicles. We've already seen some of their handiwork in the form of the 2010 Shelby GT500 and F-150 SVT Raptor, but we'll come back to those in a bit.

We already know we'll be getting a new Focus in laet 2010 or early 2011 that's common with the Euro model we've been craving for years. Naturally, the question of the new Focus RS came up. While no one would commit to anything, there were plenty of smiles to go around and Hameedi and Salenbauch were more than willing to talk enthusiastically about the new sports hatch that is launching right now in Europe. Continue reading after the jump.

Continue reading Autoblog talks hot wheels with Ford's Performance Vehicle leaders

Autoblog talks hot wheels with Ford's Performance Vehicle leaders originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

Click above to view video after the jump

When it comes to all things pickup trucks, Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com is the man, bar none. He's got the first video report on the new Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and goes into far greater detail about the truck's special bits than we ever could. The Raptor, of course, is the latest product from the SVT crew and it's fully off-road ready. This beast is unlike the previous F-150 SVT Lightning, which blended lots of horsepower with a strictly on-road suspension set up. SVT seems to have realized that a pickup truck will never be a sports car and vice versa, so they set up the Raptor with new heavy duty suspension mounts, unique suspension arms and new Fox racing remote reservoir dampers. The SVT Raptor will be launched with the current 5.4L V8 underhood, although the 6.2L "Boss" V8 should be available as an option by the end of '09. The interior is fitted with all kinds of special bits and from the outside the Raptor will be instantly recognizable thanks to a unique grille and flared out fenders. Check out the video for yourself after the jump and our high-res galleries of the SVT Raptor below. Thanks to Sam (not me) for the tip!

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

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

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine

VIDEO: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor explained by Mike Levine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford F-150 Raptor gets a grille

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford

More news on the Raptor front today. PickupTrucks.com just published a spy shot of a camo'd F-150 Raptor that at first glance adds nothing new to the puzzle. Closer inspection reveals that the semi-transparent covering actually exposes the basic look of the sporty F-150's grille, which purportedly has the Ford name emblazoned very large across a center bar. The truck was recently spotted on the streets of Vegas during the Ford Dealer Show. According to those in the know, Ford marketing boss Jim Farley unveiled the off-road-ready F-150 at that meeting, even showing a video of the mule throwing sand in the desert.

We're becoming more certain every day that the Raptor will use the 6.2L "Boss" V8 with a power output of between 380 and 420 horsepower. If the F-150 Raptor ends up wearing an SVT product as we suspect, we're betting the final power output being closer to the latter rather the former. Besides seeing the mule in action and hearing about the powertrain, dealers were also shown one of the Raptor's footlong-travel shocks, built exclusively for the Raptor by Fox Racing. Coupled with 35-inch all-terrain tires, this should be one badass, Baja-ready pickup.

Surely it won't be long before we get a whole batch of official pics from Ford, perhaps in time for the SEMA Show in November, but for now click over to PickupTrucks.com to see the new spy pics.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: Ford F-150 Raptor gets a grille originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saleen seriously considering producing S5S Raptor

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Saleen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Saleen S5S Raptor.

The Saleen S5S Raptor was one of the stars of the New York Auto Show, so it's not surprising that Saleen is considering building the 650-hp, V8 hyper car. According to an interview in Automobile with Chris Theodore, Ford's former head of NA product development, one of the men behind the Ford GT and the man atop Saleen, "the car has the potential for reality." He went on to say that the concept was "designed around a feasible business model," and that the S5S was very well received after its debut. This could mean that a production version is on the way and that it would take all of six months to have a prototype in testing. The major hurdle Saleen has to overcome is finding a suitable production partner, but if that wrinkle is ironed out and they decide to build the Raptor, Saleen's halo car might be spied in prototype form next year.

Gallery: Saleen S5S Raptor - Live Reveal

Gallery: Saleen S5S Raptor

[Source: Automobile]

Saleen seriously considering producing S5S Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: Saleen S5S Raptor is all claw [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Saleen

Click above for high-res gallery of the Saleen S5S Raptor

This very blogger wrote a post yesterday about the Saleen S5S Raptor. I didn't mention the cars I thought the Raptor looked like, but a fair number of commenters did. This is what you should know: in person, the car looks like nothing else but the S5S Raptor, and it looks better than any car you think it might look like. It is, to put it plainly, all kinds of hot. Even in yellow, which is this blogger's least favorite car color, I'd still pay for it. Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur said the Raptor is a concept, and he wanted the media's feedback on building it. Mr. Wilbur: yes. Today. Like, now. Check out the hi-res pics and let Mr. Wilbur know what you think.

Gallery: Saleen S5S Raptor

Gallery: Saleen S5S Raptor - Live Reveal

Continue reading New York 2008: Saleen S5S Raptor is all claw [w/VIDEO]

New York 2008: Saleen S5S Raptor is all claw [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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