What is the 2017 Ford Raptor like to drive? How does it handle rough terrain at a high rate of speed and slick Texas grass? What does the exhaust sound like? We badly wanted to find out and the 2016 Texas Truck Rodeo by the Texas Auto Writers could be our first chance to find out. However, this journalist association event was not the official first drive opportunity. That will come in early December for all automotive outlets.
Ford offered us a ride with a Ford Raptor powertrain integration engineer, Seth Goslawski. Seth knows how to wring out the new Raptor and the slick grass and several crests at the Longhorn River Ranch made for a fun course.
The Raptor had a quick chance to stretch its legs – the 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque from the high output version of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. A different piston design allows for lower compression and higher turbocharger boost than that in the regular 2017 F-150. The turbine wheel of the turbocharger and the exhaust manifolds were also upgraded for higher boost and higher temperatures. What is the exhaust sound like? Check the video.
The upgraded suspension allows for 13 inched of travel in the front and 14 inches in the rear. 3-inch diameter Fox shocks are there to help soak up rough terrain and handle a little air time.
The 2017 Raptor should start arriving at dealerships at the very end of November to early December, according to Ford.
