London
New 2010 Ford F150 Raptor
SVT is back, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team have brought out the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor. The vehicle goes on sale in the summer of 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle. The body is wider, front and rear suspensions has been modified, and the four-wheel drive system calibrated to make it a very capable off-road high-speed vehicle. Test runs in Nevada have had the truck running in excess of 100mph – off-road!
In 2010 the Raptor will get a new truck engine, a 6.2L, two-valve ohc V-8. This engine is likely to be rated at 400 hp and about 400 lb-ft of torque. Initially though the Raptor will be launched in 2009 with the 5.4 V-8 engine with 320bhp and 390 lb ft of torque.
The Raptor has different bodywork from other F-150s and deletes the Ford badge in the more aggressive styled grille. The SVT engineers have widened the track of the vehicle by 7 in. and it has a 5.5-ft box is unique to the Raptor. The vehicle sits higher than the standard F150. It is fitted with Fox Racing Shox specifically designed for the vehicle to give a smooth ride on-road that stiffens up when the driver reaches high speeds off-road. The Raptor suspension combines all new leaf springs with new front upper and lower A-arms with a new, wider and thicker-walled rear axle.
The Raptor is the first Ford vehicle to be equipped with hill-descent control and a differential locking system that lets the driver keep it locked at high speeds. The truck can tow up to 6,000 lb and has a 1,000-lb payload straight from the manufacturer allowing UK owners to re-claim the VAT under the current regulations. A new interior features unique, high-bolster sport style seats, a unique steering wheel and a redesigned centre console. Price or production volume has not been confirmed yet, though Ford have promised a competitive price and a multiyear run rather than the limited run normally associated with other specialised vehicles. The latest offer from a reborn SVT's with an F-150 than combines potential on-road high speed and a highly capable off-road truck should appeal to those urban cowboys who want to move into a truck with authentic capability and is sure to be a winner.
Sales of the Raptor start in the summer of 2009 with the base, 5.4L three-valve engine.
For more information on how to obtain your Raptor in the UK, contact:-
American Car Imports
57-61 Coburg Road
Wood Green
London
N22 6UB
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8889 4545
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8889 7500
e-mail: jon@americancarimports.com
