We are still several months away from driving and testing the second generation 2017 Ford Raptor, but Michael S. spied a herd of new Raptor prototypes and pre-production units testing in the California desert. According to Michael, there were an impressive 17 new Ford Raptors near Imperial, CA. There were also several old Raptors in the group as well.
We still don’t know many specifications about the upcoming Ford Raptor truck. It will use the second generation of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with a high performance tune from the factory. It will produce over 411 horsepower, but we don’t know exactly how much. There have been reports that list Raptor’s horsepower output at over 450 hp.
Many enthusiasts are saddened by the lack of a V8 engine option in the 2017 Raptor. Yes, having turbocharged power is great, but what about that American truck V8 sound? Can Ford tune the performance V6 exhaust to sound mean and powerful? We get the first taste of this from the little video clips that Michael took.
What you see here are Raptor prototype trucks testing in the California desert. The exhaust systems on these pickups may not be the production units that will be installed when the truck goes on sales later in 2016. Still, this provides one example of what this next desert runner may sound like.
Check out his videos here and give it a listen.
Here is a 2017 Ford Raptor displaying its V6 EcoBoost power, sound, and pavement handling at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Get more details about the next generation 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost and the 10-speed automatic transmission in the video below.
