2017 Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5 V6 6AT (450 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Ford introduced a second generation for its F-150 Raptor in 2017, and, at first, people were surprised because the famous pickup truck didn’t feature a V8 anymore. But still, soon, it proved to be worthier than its predecessor thanks not just to the twin-turbo V6 underneath the hood but also to the rest of the package.

The history of high-performance pickups goes back in time with famous vehicles such as the Dodge Lil’ Red Express, the GMC Cyclone, and the Ford F-150 Lightning. But while Chrysler and GM dropped the idea of making such powerful versions for utility vehicles, Ford filled the gap. So, after the successful 1993 F-150 Lighting, the blue-oval badge automaker continued with other versions, and in 2010, it made the first F-150 Raptor. That model could threaten hot hatches and sportscars alike with its performance while still being perfectly capable of going at high speeds over bumps and unpaved roads. But then, in 2017, Ford replaced it with an even more capable machine.

The F-150 was already a winner on the market thanks to its huge sales. Its shape was instantly recognizable thanks to the C-shaped LED lamps that flanked the headlights. Still, Ford considered that it was not enough. As a result, instead of installing the same grille as on the rest of the F-150 range, it made a new one that sported the carmaker’s name in big, bold letters. In addition, since it was wider than 80 inches (203 cm), it had to wear orange lights due to governmental regulations. But Ford was creative, and instead of placing those on the roof or bumper, it installed them on the upper side of the grille. That width was not for nothing. The F-150 Raptor featured wider front and rear fenders to accommodate the chunky off-road tires. In addition, the ground clearance was higher than on a regular F-150 due to the reinforced off-road suspension fitted with Fox dampers. The automaker installed a black plastic element on the hood for a venting area needed to cool the engine. At the rear, the automaker installed a power tailgate, a relief for customers since that was placed higher than on a regular pickup.

Inside, Ford created a unique ambiance for its customers in the F-150 Raptor. It installed high-bolstered seats for the front passengers with special upholstery and embroidered “Raptor” lettering on the outer sides. Between the occupants was a similar-looking center console as in the rest of the F-150 range, but with silver trims. The driver fronted a dashboard with two large analog dials and a color display for other information about the vehicle’s status. An infotainment system running Ford’s Sync system filled the upper side of the center stack. Above it, the automaker mounted a set of buttons on the car’s headliner for six auxiliary pieces of equipment that customers could install and power on the vehicle, such as winches, additional lights, and so on.

Underneath the hood, the carmaker put a twin-turbo V6 that provided 450 HP (456 PS) to the six-speed automatic transmission. The massive torque was sent in all corners via a two-speed transfer box, and the rear axle featured a limited-slip differential.