The new Ecoboost-powered 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is currently in the final stages of hot-weather testing, right here in the UAE. Everything is being thoroughly tested to see if it is suitable for our Middle East style of offroading, including ground clearance, approach and departure angles, cooling systems, tractive capability and passenger comfort.
Since the day of its release, Ford’s EcoBoost engine has attracted a lot of critical acclaim for being powerful and fuel-efficient at the same time, at least in comparison to a V8. The Ford F-150 pickup also has EcoBoost powertrains on offer which have now improved for 2017.
The Ford F-150 is easily the most technologically-advanced truck in its class. Where else can you get an aluminium-bodied fullsize pickup with a turbo engine that makes it quicker than a V8? That got your attention.
Ever wanted a truck with supercar horsepower figures? Can’t wait until Ford releases the 2017 Ford Raptor, likely with “only” 450 hp? You’re in luck. The 600 hp F-150 SC from Roush Performance is here and you can even get it with a warranty.
American pickup trucks have evolved from being just utilitarian workhorses to something completely in a class of their own. Big, bold and powerful, they are icons with reputations built over more than half a century. Nowadays, you can outfit them as anything from barebones work-trucks to complete luxury cars, so all you ever need is one vehicle in your life. Still, innovation has not been a strong suit of the pickup-truck industry over the years, but a bombshell was dropped recently in the form of the all-new Ford F-150, and it’s a complete game-changer compared to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500.
Flying to the United States is a test of patience, but there was a compelling reason for us to do so last week. We attended the global media-drive event of the 2015 Ford F-150 in San Antonio, Texas. Quite possibly the American carmaker’s most important model, the new one is touted to be the most advanced truck in its class, and from what we saw, we’d have to agree, especially since they had the Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500 available for comparison, that too for a trial-by-fire by drag-racing!
It was only a few months ago that we had seen the Ford Atlas Concept at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show, a thinly-disguised version of the next-generation Ford F-150 truck. Little did we know that it was so close to the reveal in production form. The all-new 2015 model is debuting at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, boasting technical upgrades that are completely new to the American truck segment.
The next-generation 2015 Ford F-150 is already at the prototype stage, but the new design direction for the big truck has already been hinted at by the Ford Atlas Concept. That futuristic concept will make an appearance at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show next week. But about a month ago, we met some of Ford’s hot-weather testing team who work for the truck division.
Having a vehicle with a separate CNG kit installed isn’t new. But apparently the good news is that Ford is setting heavy-duty engine components into select 3.7-litre V6s to allow them to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in addition to petrol!
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor’s been out and about for a good while. First it was offered with a 5.4-litre V8 and a quad-cab body. Then the 6.2-litre engine became available, as did the four-door SuperCrew body style. And now for 2013, there are a few more upgrades.