Watch an SVT Raptor be built on Ultimate Factories this weekend [w/video]
Filed under: Performance, Truck, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Ford
There's something inexplicably mesmerizing about watching a factory in action. Seeing the innumerable complex mechanisms mesh in perfect harmony to create the products we know and love is part of what makes shows like National Geographic's Ultimate Factories so interesting. Now the program is headed to Dearborn for a look at how the Ford F-150 Ecoboost and F-150 SVT Raptor come together on the line in crystal-clear HD video. The show will also spend time with both trucks out on the company's proving grounds, which means there's a good chance we'll see the Raptor bashing over various obstacles.
Consider us excited. Last year, the Ford plant in Dearborn produced 344,446 vehicles, making it the third most productive plant in North America behind the Nissan facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico and the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico.
The show will air on Saturday, February 4 at 8 p.m. Eastern on the National Geographic Channel, but you can get a glimpse of what to expect in the video after the jump.
Continue reading Watch an SVT Raptor be built on Ultimate Factories this weekend [w/video]
Watch an SVT Raptor be built on Ultimate Factories this weekend [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsRaceworks Ford Raptor Luxury Prerunner
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Truck, Ford, Specialty, Racing
As a bone-stock machine, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is an impressive piece of engineering, but that doesn't mean that the platform can't be improved upon. The crew from Stewart's Race Works has turned its fabricating skills toward creating a luxury prerunner version of he go-anywhere pickup, and the result is nothing short of astounding. With a massive 90-inch track width and suitably epic amounts of wheel travel, this Raptor is filled with custom, one-off parts. The front suspension boasts 26-inches of travel while the rear flexes out at around 31 inches thanks in part to billet aluminum A-arms up front and a set of Fox Racing 4.0 external bypass shocks and three-inch coil springs.
A 600-horsepower Patton racing engine resides under the custom hood and is bolted to a built 4L80 automatic transmission. Though two-wheel drive, the truck features a four-link suspension in the rear for the most travel possible.
Inside, the cabin is fitted with GPS, and MP3/iPod capable audio system, six-way power adjustable seats and more electronic goodies. We want one.
Raceworks Ford Raptor Luxury Prerunner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsJournalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally
Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Ford, South America, Off-Road, Racing
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at the 2011 Dakar Rally - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is still proving that it can do whatever deed needs done, whenever it needs doing. Sue Mead and Darren Skilton managed to pilot a largely stock version of the desert-raiding pickup through all 12 stages of this year's Dakar rally. The team survived 16 days of some of the most brutal terrain on the South American continent and covered over 11,800 miles in the process. Their effort was enough to net the Raptor a 40th place finish over all and a first place finish in the OP class.
In fact, from what we hear, Mead and Skilton were the only contestants to even finish in the OP class, even with big names like Robbie Gordon gunning for the win.
That marks the first time that an American crew has ever managed to take a class win in the history of the Dakar Rally. The F-150 SVT Raptor that Mead and Skilton campaigned boasted the same 5.4-liter V8 that it rolled off the production line with, though a larger cooling system was fitted to handle the harsh temperatures of the course. Likewise, the pickup was equipped with a host of other race-capable bits including a new locker system for the differentials, more robust shocks, springs and tires.
Overall, Volkswagen took the top three spots in the 2011 Dakar Rally. BMW filled out the remaining spots in the top five with its entries. Hit the jump for the press release.
[Source: Ford]
Journalist Sue Mead, racer Darren Skilton become first U.S. team to win a class in Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year
Filed under: Truck, Etc., Ford, Off-Road
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's good to know that there's still some sense left in the world. The minds at Four Wheeler have announced that of all the excellent pickup trucks for sale right now, the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 is king of the heap. The magazine has officially crowned the big Blue Oval as its Truck of the Year, saying that the go-fast off-roader is every four-wheel-drive enthusiast's dream machine straight from the factory. After our stints behind the wheel of the Raptor, we're inclined to agree.
Four Wheeler has been choosing a truck of the year since 1989, and to classify, a model must be new or significantly revised compared to its predecessor. This year, the magazine lined up the Raptor alongside the Ford Super Duty Power Stroke Lariat FX4 and the Chevrolet 2500 Silverado Z71, but it was the Ford's bird of prey that came out on top. You can check out the full report in the March 2011 issue of Four Wheeler, which is set to hit the stands in January, logically.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips and Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
[Source: Four Wheeler]
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsProCharger supercharges the SVT Raptor up to 600 horsepower
Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Ford, Off-Road
ProCharger Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery
For most people, the 6.2-liter V8 with 411 horsepower in the Ford SVT Raptor is plenty. Others, like our own Jeremy Korzenewski, who said as much in his recent review of the Raptor, think that it still needs more power. The solution? ProCharger, a Kansas-based company that has been adding forced induction to just about everything under the sun for the last 16 years, has developed a range of centrifugal supercharger systems for the Raptor good for up to 600 horsepower on pump gas. The 5.4 guys haven't been left out either, with a 505-horsepower system available for the smaller V8.
Each of the packages includes ProCharger's self-contained supercharger, a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler, larger fuel injectors and new programming for the engine's computer. ProCharger says that the engine bay maintains an OEM appearance (it actually looks quite a bit better in our opinion), and that the blower easily fits underneath the stock hood. Pricing starts $5,446 for a tune-it-yourself kit for the 5.4-liter V8 while the full system for the 6.2-liter V8 will run you $6,496. Hit the jump for official details in the press release.
[Source: ProCharger]
Continue reading ProCharger supercharges the SVT Raptor up to 600 horsepower
ProCharger supercharges the SVT Raptor up to 600 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew to start at $44,315*
Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Ford, Off-Road
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew- Click above for high-res image gallery
Ready to go stompin' around with your friends in a Baja-blastin' Ford SVT Raptor, but don't know how much you'll need to plunk down for the new-for-2011 four-door SuperCrew? Grab your pen and your checkbook, then write down 4-4-3-1-5.
Pricing has just been announced for the newly expanded range. The MSRP on the roomier four-door SuperCrew is priced at $44,315 while the shorter extended-cab Raptor SuperCab will cost a bit less at $41,550. (*In either case, destination and delivery charges will add a further $975 to the bottom line.)
Both 2011 Raptors are now powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that's rated at 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. The less powerful 5.4-liter unit found on last year's model is no longer available.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Report: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew to start at $44,315* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGraphics offered for 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Filed under: Truck, Ford, Design/Style, Off-Road
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with optional hood graphics - Click above for high-res image gallery
You can get graphics for your Ford Fiesta, Mustang and Taurus, and now the 2011 F-150 SVT Raptor joins the wrapped-up bunch. There will but one customization option: a black hood inspired by the racing Broncos of the 1970s - wilder trucks in wilder days. As well as lending a little bit of old-school-style badass, a side benefit of the new graphic is a reduction of glare coming off the hood. The digital mud bedside graphic available since the Raptor's debut remains an option. Follow the jump for the press release and see what Ford hath wrought in the gallery of high-res photos below.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Graphics offered for 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Graphics offered for 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsOfficially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011
Filed under: Truck, Ford, Off-Road
2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford's off-road beast, the F-150 SVT Raptor, has only been on sale for a year, but it's already getting a few upgrades for the 2011 model year.
Many reports and a few spy shots indicated that Ford had been prepping a four-door SuperCrew version of the Raptor (you know, for when the family wants to do the Baja run with you), and the automaker has officially confirmed the details (again). The SuperCrew's wheelbase is a full 12 inches longer than the standard Raptor, meaning it should provide a more comfortable ride along the way, and the 5.5-foot box can still haul everything you need when you get there.
Speaking of capability, all Raptors now come standard with more power on tap - the 6.2-liter V8 will be the only available powertrain for 2011 (sad trombone for the people who rushed out to get the 5.4). As we reported earlier, it stands to reason that the 2011 Raptor will get a price increase to account for the larger mill, but it's a small price to pay for an extra 101 horsepower and 69 pound-feet of torque over the 5.4-liter V8.
From there, the other enhancements for 2011 are purely cosmetic. Raptors can now be had in a new color - Ingot Silver Metallic (pictured) - and matte black accent graphics are available on the hood. These new graphics can be ordered separately from the box side decals, too. Inside the cabin, Ford now offers a standard 4.2-inch LCD display (called the "productivity screen") in the center of the revised instrument gauges, similar to what was introduced on the 2011 Super Duty.
Dealers will start taking orders for 2011 Raptors as you read this with the first examples hitting dealerships later this year. Ford's detailed press release is available after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011
Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutomobile checks in for border control duty with Ford F-150 Raptor
Filed under: Performance, Truck, Etc., Government/Legal, Ford, Off-Road
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor serves and protects
Aside from the recent dust-up over immigration law in Arizona, we've heard very little about America's efforts on border patrol lately. Where once we heard all about fences, militia parties and night-vision, now the collective media consciousness is focused elsewhere. That doesn't mean that the challenges facing border patrol have exactly evaporated, of course. The men and women charged with keeping an eye on the line between the U.S. and Mexico still face mile upon mile of some of the most grueling terrain on the planet, which is exactly why the Yuma Sheriff went ahead and ordered up a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor before the official government-issue fleet arrives.
Automobile Magazine's Eszra Dyer decided to tag along with Major Leon Wilmot to see how the truck handles itself in an official capacity and just what this border patrol business is all about. As it turns out, the majority of the operation is concerned with large expanses of sand, moon dust, non-exploded ordinance and the cleverness of a people who want nothing more to outwit American law enforcement. If you've got a hot second, click over to Automobile for a quick read.
[Source: Automobile Magazine]
Automobile checks in for border control duty with Ford F-150 Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed
Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford, Off-Road
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew - Click above for high-res image gallery
Autoblog reader Geo happened to be cruising on I-275 in Detroit last week when he was passed by a convoy of Ford F-150 pickups. Snugged smack dab in the middle was none other than the upcoming F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew without a stitch of camouflage to cover those two extra doors. Geo did what any good enterprising AB reader would do and clicked a couple of photos as the desert-crushing truck blew by.
The prototype in the photos has ditched the outlandish graphics of its shorter brother, but it still looks just as mean, and it's even slathered in silver paint, a color that isn't currently available. If the badge on the fender is any indication, this particular example packs the same 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mill we were fortunate enough to sample not too long ago, which means it should have no problem jumping over hill and dale. If ever there was a backyard party on four wheels, this is it.
Reader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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