Spy photographers recently captured images of two SVT Ford F-150 mules being tested in Dearborn, Michigan, and what makes these images so unique is that one of the two trucks does not appear to be a Raptor.

With Ford preparing to launch a redesigned Ford Raptor in 2017 , it’s not surprising to see Raptor test trucks on the roads around Ford’s headquarters in Michigan. The images captured recently clearly show a different style of truck without the wide-body package of the Raptor. Is Ford testing out a new-generation SVT Lighting performance truck? Based on photos KGP Photography recently shot, the Magic 8 Ball response is: “Signs Point to Yes.”

The Same, But Different
To be clear, spy photographers captured images of two different Ford trucks being tested recently. Although one truck is clearly based on the Raptor’s wider-than-stock track, the other truck does not have the same wide stance. What both vehicles do have in common, however, are dual exhaust tips exiting through the rear bumper – both through makeshift bumper cutouts.

The location of the exhaust pipes is identical to the 2017 Raptor unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, meaning both trucks likely feature some version of the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that will power the next-gen Raptor.

Spy photographers also took careful note that the Raptor mule featured a sticker on the fuel door to remind Ford employees to only use 103-octane fuel, which could mean a ramped-up engine rests under the hood of the Raptor test truck.

What makes this possible Lightning test truck so interesting is that it clearly doesn’t features the signature Fox shocks and wider front and rear tracks that easily identify the Raptor (it does, however, share aggressive tires like the Raptor, but this could just be the test team raiding the Raptor parts bin). This other test truck is based on a normal-width F-150, though it clearly has a similar exhaust setup as the Raptor mile which leads us to believe features a high-performance engine, so a follow-up Ford Lightning makes perfect sense.

To put any doubt to rest that this is in fact an SVT test truck, KGP Photography was able to follow both trucks to Ford's SVT workshop, which is shared with the high-performance arm of Roush Industries. Both the Raptor and non-Raptor mules can be seen driving right into the SVT/Roush entrance in our photos. 

Ride the Lightning?
Ford hasn’t made all of its future plans known, but it hasn’t been tight-lipped either about its future endeavors. We know a new Raptor is scheduled for 2017, and Ford has also promised more high-performance models on its showroom floors by 2020. With that in mind, it’s likely that Ford is at least toying with the possibility of a new Lightning, as SVT is clearly testing some other form of performance-minded F-150 aside from the Raptor. Hopefully more test trucks will surface in the coming months, but for now we’ll have to wait and see.

Check out More Spy Photos Here