2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is a vehicle that can do literally everything – it can jump over sand dunes, crawl over rocks, and tackle any type of terrain. What is also interesting is that this truck is fast as this was proven with stock Raptor that actually completed the Baja 1000. The results speak for themselves – the Raptor finished third in its class, which is a fantastic result for Ford’s truck. The first generation Raptor was terrific and this 2017 model is based on it, but it comes with more features, and the off-road driving capabilities have been improved as well.
Engine and Driving Modes
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with a 3.5-liter twin turbo EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. The same powerplant is offered in the regular version of F-150, but the Raptor receives few upgrades that result in more power and torque. This unit is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels with the addition of torque-on-demand center differential which purpose is to send power to the front wheels when that is necessary. Furthermore, drivers can choose six different driving modes – Normal, Street, Weather, Mud/Sand, Baja and Rock Crawl – as you can see, there is a mode for every terrain.
The Raptor is a fast truck, and it can go from standstill to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds, which is a good result for a vehicle of this type, but the acceleration could have been better. The 10-speed gearbox is smooth, but if you are driving in Normal mode, it is not very responsive. The transmission program is much better in Sport mode, whereas with other settings it works just fine.
Cab Options
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor managed to shed some weight with the new aluminum body. The drivers can opt for several cab options such as smaller five-passenger Super Cab or larger Super Crew, both of which are available with 5-foot, 6-inch bed.
Exterior
The new model has a noticeable different exterior when compared to other F-150s. In order to protect the underbody from sharp rocks and various objects you might go over, Blue Oval added hard armor, wide fenders, vents, and flares. The wheels of the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor are wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires which offer great traction on slippery roads. This truck is designed for a rigorous terrain, so that is why it is equipped with Fox Racing Shox with internal bypass technology.
Desert Drive
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor has been tested in the desert, and the drive is great. Although acceleration is not the best on this vehicle, as we already mentioned, it speeds up amazingly in the sand and dirt, but it also behaves well when it crawls over rocks. Moreover, after jumps, suspension absorbs the impact and the truck settles down quickly. The 2017 model is really one of a kind, and the off-road is definitely its natural environment so it would be a big mistake not to go on an adventure with this truck.
On-Road Driving
Driving on rough roads at high speed is something the Raptor is built to do. However, the way Raptor behaves on public roads is a completely different experience. This truck is large, and you would be in trouble if you wanted to maneuver it in a small space, whereas on the highway the tires can sing and there is plenty of lean when the car turns.
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Price
The starting price of the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is $49,520. If you want the Raptor with the SuperCrew, you would have to add $2,985 to the base price. You might think it is expensive, but for this amount of money you get a truck that can go across the desert with easy, that can complete the Baja 1000 and drive you home after that. There is no doubt that Ford produced an authentic machine.
We really like this truck, but we want to know what you think about it. State your opinion in the comment section.
