SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/485293
Raptor is tougher than ever. Better night-time vision is also improved, as the truck features advanced LED lighting and camera technology that contribute to improved visibility on the trail or street. New High Output EcoBoost® Engine The new Raptor will be offered with a high output EcoBoost® engine, but don’t be fooled by what this sounds like. The engine isn’t just for better fuel economy. According to Ford engineers, the first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost® established its off-road racing reputation in the original F-150 EcoBoost® Torture Test truck at the 2010 SCORE Baja 1000. During that time, it amassed multiple off-road racing series wins. Although the exact performance specs for this second-generation 3.5-liter high output EcoBoost® engine haven’t been announced, Ford engineers have guaranteed it will provide more power and greater efficiency than the current 6.2-liter V8. To put that into perspective, the 6.2 liter puts out 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. The high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost® is a Raptor exclusive in the F-150 lineup and pairs up to an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency. In addition, the Raptor will also feature a dual exhaust, which will not only improve the engine’s breathing characteristics, but will also announce its arrival with a high performance tone. According to Ford engineers, the whole idea is to keep the Raptor’s engine in its RPM power band while maintaining fuel efficiency. This will prove beneficial in both street and racing applications. One of the ways the Raptor is able to do this, is with the use of an all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case. It is a sophisticated yet simple to use version of off-road mode driver assist technology for better overall trail performance. This new transfer case manages power distribution between the front and rear wheels, combining the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive. “The new transfer case offers better traction for a greater variety of terrain at low and high speeds, both on-road and off-road,” said Jamal Hameedi, Chief Engineer, Ford Performance.