With the current Ford F-150 having been with us since 2015, the manufacturer has to start getting serious about its replacement. However, before the fourteenth generation of the F-Series arrives, Ford needs to make sure the public hasn’t tuned out on the current model. Automakers frequently release special edition models late in a product’s lifespan to do just that. While the F-150 doesn’t need much help, what with being America’s best-selling automobile for decades, it will get the same treatment.
However, unlike the bevy of appearance packages that are currently clogging up the industry, Ford is rumored to have something more meaningful planned for the full-sized pickup. Rather than simply updating the graphics or incorporating a new suspension setup, Ford apparently wants to wedge the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500 into the Raptor — thereby giving it a proper sendoff.
While just a rumor at present, Car and Driver said the details were confirmed by several unnamed sources from within the company. No launch date was given but the model would have to debut before the end of 2021 if it’s to maintain a comfortable distance with its replacement. That may also to place it in a fine position to go head-t0-head with the Ram TRX — Fiat Chrysler’s answer to the Raptor, rumored to come equipped with a Hellcat motor and plenty of ground clearance.
It’s expected that the TRX’s (probable) 6.2-liter Hemi will be setup to emphasize torque over horsepower. Previews of the model, when it still was an engineering concept, included a spec sheet with 575 hp written on it — substantially less than the Charger or Challenger SRT Hellcat. That may also be the overriding recipe for the special-edition Raptor but the outlet admitted the exact details surrounding the matter were still somewhat nebulous.
From Car and Driver:
At this point, we only know that the supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 is slated to make more than 700 horsepower in its Mustang Shelby GT500 application, so it’s safe to assume that the V-8 will provide a similar amount of power in the Raptor pickup. Ford and GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission seems like it would be plenty stout to hold up to this engine, given that it’s used in the 650-hp Camaro ZL1, while Ford could easily source a sturdy enough live rear axle from component supplier Dana.
[Images: Ford Motor Co.]
Now the only halos are on trucks.
The GT500 in carbon trim isn’t? Same 700+ hp engine in what Ford is claiming is the quickest most track capable Mustang ever even if its limited to 180 mph.
Trucks don’t need no manicured track to be awesome.
Yea. “most track capable” is nice and all, but I’m not an IMSA driver and the GT350r already existed. I kind of wish they went max thuggery with the GT500 instead.
A halo vehicle that isnt a truck, to counter his point and show that halo vehicles (by one of the most light truck-dominated manufacturers on the planet) dont have to be trucks, and it sucks because reasons.
I’m pretty sure jatz’s initial comment was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but he can speak to that.
No one here has said the GT500 “sucks”. Personally, I am disappointed that Ford decided to go the “RACECAR!” route with it when they already had a fine track car with their GT350/GT350R. I was hoping the newer GT500 would be more in the vein of the ’07-’14 version.
This article is porn. Do it, Ford.
Eww – I’ve seen the grille and the tailgate – I don’t want to see more.
One of my first jobs was doing typesetting at a graphics arts place – Ford has the worst in-house fonts on the planet.
Exciting news….but this will undoubtedly push the starting price well past $100K up here in Canuckistan since the ‘19s start at $81K! Fawk!
Yeah. Who am I kidding? I want it, but will never actually buy it.
Yeah I need this.
In before EcoBoostFlex can find something to complain about with it.
“Ford cant even make a power window motor that lasts for more than 39 years, how are they gonna build a truck”
That hurts man. I say that as someone who replaced all 4 window lifts in a 1996 Grand Marquis. The drivers door twice…
Oh Johnny. Still a petulant child I see.
Do you ever get tired of being a bitter, sorry excuse for a man?
I wouldn’t tie up that kind of money for a truck that will rarely go offroad. I don’t live in the right place. But if I did, I would probably want a V8 too. What’s the reliability and long term life projection for the current ecoboost V6s? They must be pushed to their design limits to achieve 450hp? Can’t be easy on that engine.
I dunno man, the same basic engine makes 650 hp in the GT.
I want a V8 too, but I think it’s past time to say the Ecoboost engines are overstressed and pushed to their limits. Maybe for towing and hard use every day, but in a sport truck like this, it’s fine.
Any time you commit a V6 to do the work/output of a V8, there has to be negative consequences. The same applies to 4 cylinders performing the work load a V6 would normally handle, turbo or no.
And this assumes “top notch” engineering.
Most of the time the added turbo hardware that “replaces” cylinders add an equal amount of weight or more. Definitely more heat, and often worse fuel economy too.
Turbo V6s really makes no sense when viable V8s are kept on the “shelf” and not used, especially when they would fit just fine and the “smaller” turbo engine/hardware take up even more space.
I have to ask, what’s the point?
So yeah I’d rather have a less powerful V8, except what could be better than supercharged V8s, especially since Big Block V8s will never come back to 1/2 tons (or pony cars)?
Who makes this truck? I can’t quite make it out on the tailgate, if only it was bigger.
I think the tailgate would be stronger if it was made entirely out of four giant letters fused to each other with space-age composites. Now, to figure out which four letters to use…
It’s been a long time since Ford made a good decision like this.
It will be nice to get that POS, gas guzzling turd out of the Raptor and a proper engine back in there.
FYI, the old 6.2L Raptor was rated at 12 city, 16 highway. Besides, Raptor buyers don’t give a flying fark about its drinking habits.
Only thing that “turd” does is sh#t on other 1/2 ton trucks LOL
Huh?
In true Ford fashion, didn’t the Raptor originally release with the coil pack blowing 5.4L Triton? Talk about a turd.
I know this is off topic, but why didn’t Ford build more than 200 of the suicide door version of the Lincoln? Didn’t they sell out in a few hours?
Yes, this is a great halo truck, but it’s going to be VERY expensive. Ford needs all of the cash they can get their hands on.
This is long since due, the Raptor has been a joke since it lost the 6.2L, why Ford made the engine sound like a weed eater in what was supposed to be a halo truck is mind boggling.
I would posit that the more interesting story here is seeing the F/R axle choices, is the rear going to be a F/F design?, does a strong enough front axle exist outside of diesel application which may be too bulky and cause clearance issues?
Not sure what type of weed eater you have, but mine does not sound like a force fed V6 LOL. Yea 450 HP and over 500 ft lbs is indeed mind boggling!
Stihl, The stock eco boost Raptors exhaust has the exact same sound as the exhaust on my Stihl weedeater. The only difference is that the Raptor is slightly muffled better.
Weed eater? It sounds like a Windstar minivan lol
The 2nd and last Gen of the Lightning continued in production nearly 2 years after the new Gen F150 was released. The Raptor is unique enough to hang awhile once the next Gen F150 is released (ala BMW M4). Especially if it indeed becomes available with a SC 5.0.