It’ll be easy to an easy point to miss so we’ll put it right up front: The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will be more fuel efficient than the previous generation – and 23 percent more efficient at that! OK, while that’s all true, we’re sort of kidding about putting that up front because the real headline most care about is the performance numbers of the new Raptor’s twin-turbo high-output EcoBoost V6, which need to be impressive since the new engine is replacing the outgoing 6.2-liter V8. Fortunately they are, and any concern in regards to performance should be laid to rest with the claimed 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. rating of the new Raptor.
Ford announced all of the details today at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Along with the horsepower and torque figures, Ford also noted the new high-output EcoBoost engine in the Raptor delivers a 21 percent improved average torque-to-weight ratio compared to the previous-gen Raptor. The new truck will also boast Ford’s new 10-speed. Ford says the 2017 Raptor has an EPA fuel economy rating of 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined. Another very interesting number for the new Raptor is the price tag, which Ford says will be just under $50,000 for the base model.
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“Raptor was designed to be a no-compromise, off-road performance machine,” said Matt Tranter, Ford Performance engineering supervisor. “That is why we made the switch from the cast-iron V8 to the aluminum block, high-output GTDI V6 EcoBoost engine that our team tuned to add 39 horsepower and 76 lb.-ft. of torque for today’s Raptor.”
The new Raptor will be as much as 500 pounds lighter as well, since it incorporates the same aluminum alloy body and fully boxed steel frame first unveiled on the 2015 F-150. The big news in terms of off-road performance is the addition of larger-diameter 3.0 Fox shocks, along with the six-mode Terrain Management System.
The EcoBoost engine gets the lion’s share of attention, however, and Ford says the Raptor’s uniquely tuned engine features key updates such as more aggressive turbo compressor with increased boost, cast stainless-steel manifolds, a full dual exhaust and oil-cooled pistons along with “more aggressive engine control calibrations.” Other updates include a new twin direct and port-fuel injection system, stronger and lighter crank and valvetrain components, a redesigned twin turbocharger system with electronic wastegate, a redesigned valvetrain and variable-displacement oil pump.
“Looking at the torque curve of the Raptor’s EcoBoost engine, you see the twin turbos spool quicker for faster time to torque – it hammers quick and keeps delivering torque for a more brawny feel than its V8 predecessor,” said Al Cockerill, Raptor’s powertrain development engineer.
A great deal of attention was also paid to the new 10-speed, which Ford says will include it Start-Stop feature along with an integrated electric pump to improve driving efficiency. Ford says this closer gear ratio on the 10-speed automatics trans helps optimize the power and torque curves of the 3.5L high-output EcoBoost V6. Ford also says the Raptor uses all-new adaptive shift algorithms to monitor powertrain and driver controls signals to ensure the truck is in the right gear at the proper time. Ford also notes the new 10-speed gearbox is the first from Ford to not employ cast-iron components, and therefore its advanced-material construction helps reduce weight.
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