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Ford F-150 Raptor
Review: Today’s road test is about the Ford F-150 4X4 SVT Raptor.
Many magazines have raved about this truck, and I guess you have to be
into the “mine is bigger than yours” thing, to appreciate it. Based on
the F-150, but feeling so much larger, the Raptor is a Dearborn built
off-road racer.
The SVT (Special
Vehicle Team) put their mechanical effort into the suspension, Fox
racing shocks front and rear, cast aluminum front lower control arms,
special rear springs, increased suspension travel, and special wheels
and tires. Add in the specific body mods including flared fenders,
specific grille, hood air extractors, clearance lights, etc. and you
have a vastly different F-150.
The Raptor, as its name
implies, is ready to swoop down and shred its opposition. Under the hood
is a standard 5.4-liter, 320 hp V8, or you can order the stump pulling,
optional, 6.2-liter, 411 hp V8. The only transmission is a great
shifting, 6-speed automatic.
Unlike many real
off-road racers there is nothing Spartan about the Raptor’s interior.
Although much inside is designed just for the Raptor, it is pretty
plush. Ford says the Raptor seats five, but the three who sit in the
rear seat better be small. The Raptor is one of those trucks with the
rear opening quarter doors. Getting in or out of the Raptor necessitates
the use of the standard running boards.
The forte of the Raptor
is not highway cruising. The ride is stiff and bouncy. The exhaust is
loud. And the fuel economy is slim, as I averaged about 12.5 mpg for the
week with the 6.2-lite engine, and the only saving grace is that the
tank holds 26 gallons of fuel.
I wanted to like the
Raptor, really I did. Maybe I am too old to appreciate it, or maybe I am
too frugal to tolerate the fuel economy. With the total MSRP price of
$47,200 plus $975 for destination and delivery, the Raptor is not a
vehicle for the kids who would really like to enjoy it.
The Raptor is aimed at
a pretty narrow audience, but then again, with all of the jacked up pick
‘em ups trucks driving around today, who knows. Maybe if Ford used the
Raptor design, with the big V8 in a 2WD version, like the Lightening,
then I’d be interested.
You can check more of
my musings at
www.brucehotchkiss.com or email me at
bruce.hotchkiss@gmail.com.
By Bruce Hotchkiss ©
AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
The Bottom Line:
The 2010 Ford F-150 4X4 SVT Raptor is a fantastic purpose built vehicle
aimed at the off road enthusiast who wants a truck that can dig in the
dirt, soar thru the air and be an everyday driver too. And he wants his
truck with a first class leather interior, a great sound system, and all
the options of a luxury car. With a tall suspension, a hugh set of tires
and a 400 plus horsepower 6.2 Liter big block motor, the SVT Raptor is
the Ford Special Vehicle Team’s rendition of a real life Transformers
off-road dream truck.
Bottom Line
Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy”
is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay
Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to
TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at
www.autowire.net
And remember: “ You Are
what you Drive ”
Ford Home Page
Column Name: The Raptor
is a Dearborn built off-road racer
Topic: The Ford F-150
4X4 SVT Raptor
Word Count: 628
Photo Caption: The Ford
F-150 4X4 SVT Raptor
Photo Credits: Ford
Raptor Internet Media
Series #: 2010 - 40
Download
the Microsoft Word version here:
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor
Download the Original Image File here:
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor
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