SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/643686
FORD F-150 RAPTOR Another entry that leaves the pavement behind is the Ford F-150 Raptor. While we know that the Raptor will make its comeback in 2017, off-road enthusiasts are excited nonetheless at the information and ideas that Ford has demonstrated on the truck so far. First Ford showcased what the new Raptor would be like in the SuperCab Going into 2016 the company has released some bits and details about the new 2017 SuperCrew version of the F-150 Raptor. Ford has always had a great vision of what off- road enthusiasts want, and thus is designing the Raptor to be capable of all degrees of off-road fun, including "rock crawling and sand running." In fact, Ford's initial testing of the Raptor was developed with the DNA of a SCORE Baja race truck. Ford's relationship with desert racing is one of the reasons why SCORE fans and teams have embraced this truck more than any other. With a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension, Ford says the new Raptor will "...travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain." Since the SuperCrew is the latest version of the new Raptor to be released, we wanted to take a closer look. For one thing, it is lighter than previous models. The 2017 Raptor SuperCrew is loaded with advanced materials, which mean high-strength steel and military grade aluminum alloy. According to Ford, that helps to save up to 500 pounds for improved off-road prowess. Ford tells us, the new Raptor's power-to-weight ratio has been improved too. Although, the move from a thundering V8 in the previous generation SuperCab Raptor to a high- output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has some enthusiasts scratching their heads. You can't argue with the all- new 10-speed transmission that's being offered with it. Then there's the Terrain Management System, which supposedly optimizes driving dynamics in mud, sand or snow. It's all computer driven and depending on the "mode" selected, the truck will behave in a particular manner depending on the environment. The F-150 Raptor is outfitted with FOX Racing shocks with custom internal bypass reservoirs, and the front and rear shock canisters have grown a half inch from 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter. Because Ford knows what off-road drivers need, it 048 SCORE JOURNAL