Skip advert
Advertisement

New Ford F-150 Raptor revealed – the original high-performance pickup reimagined

Ford’s Baja-bashing F-150 Raptor is back for its third iteration, but don’t expect it in your local Ford showroom any time soon

Ford has revealed its third generation F-150 Raptor, the rugged high performance pickup that since its launch has spawned a whole class of extreme off-road toys. It finds its base in the latest generation F-150 revealed late last year, but like the standard truck will remain out of reach for European buyers through official channels.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As the previous generation, the new F-150 Raptor is not powered by a V8 engine as one might expect, but an updated version of Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. Ford has stopped short of releasing any specific outputs, but given its shared powertrain to the current generation, we suspect it will hover around the 450bhp mark. We do know that power will be sent to all four wheels via Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, and there’s also a standard locking differential on the rear axle, with a secondary Torsen limited-slip differential on the front axle available as an option.

Ford has also confirmed it will be releasing a V8-powered Raptor R in 2022, but exactly which V8 it will use, or whether it will even be street legal remains to be confirmed. 

For now Ford is instead highlighting its off-road capability, which takes precedence over on-road performance. As such, its underpinnings have been given a big update over standard F-150s, swapping the usual live rear axle for a more sophisticated five-link independent configuration developed specifically for the new Raptor. Rather than settle the ride quality, the suspension has been designed instead for maximum travel, and comes as standard with adjustable FOX Live Valve dampers and huge 24-inch coil springs that help keep all four wheels on the ground, even when jumping off sand dunes at 100mph.

The Raptor’s typically pumped up bodywork has also made a comeback, with flared arches and body panels that only just barely cover the wheel and tyres. As standard, the Raptor runs on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain tyres, but can be specified up to 37-inches with optional bead-locking wheels. The body itself, as well as the chassis, engine mounts and underbody have also been modified to cater to extreme conditions one perhaps might not expect to see in Bedfordshire.

For those wanting the Raptor experience in the UK there is an alternative option though, with the smaller, but no less capable Ranger Raptor still available locally. There’s a new generation on its way, too, and given that it will be available in the US next time around, should pave the way for the application of a powertrain with more substance than the twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel of today’s model.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Land Rover Defender updated for 2026… without a proper facelift
2026 Land Rover Defender Octa
News

Land Rover Defender updated for 2026… without a proper facelift

Some new options and an updated infotainment are all that’s needed to keep the Defender fresh for 2026
27 May 2025
Audi Q7 2025 review – BMW X5 rival is an old dog with some new tricks
Audi Q7 interior
In-depth reviews

Audi Q7 2025 review – BMW X5 rival is an old dog with some new tricks

Higher-tech rivals might outgun the aged Q7 but there's a time-worn appeal and quality feel to Audi's oldest model
21 May 2025
Range Rover Sport SV 2025 review – the king of fast SUVs?
Range Rover Sport SV – front
Reviews

Range Rover Sport SV 2025 review – the king of fast SUVs?

The SV packs the kind of chassis tech you'd expect to find in a McLaren rather than a Range Rover. The result is a quite extraordinary performance SUV…
19 May 2025
Cupra Tavascan 2025 review – the Ford Capri’s more interesting Spanish cousin
Cupra Tavascan – front
In-depth reviews

Cupra Tavascan 2025 review – the Ford Capri’s more interesting Spanish cousin

The Tavascan is Cupra’s coupe SUV based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric vehicle architecture, whose closest relations are the Volkswagen ID.5, …
16 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new BMW M2 CS could be another all-time great M car
BMW M2 CS – front
News

The new BMW M2 CS could be another all-time great M car

BMW has applied the CS treatment to the G87 M2 – if it’s anything like its predecessor, it’ll be sensational
27 May 2025
Bentley Continental GT Speed v Aston Martin DB12 v Maserati GranTurismo – car pictures of the week
Bentley Continental GT Speed v Aston Martin DB12 v Maserati GranTurismo
Features

Bentley Continental GT Speed v Aston Martin DB12 v Maserati GranTurismo – car pictures of the week

Who makes the best GT car? In issue 334 of evo, we test challengers from Bentley, Aston Martin and Maserati on some of the UK’s best roads to find out
25 May 2025
A new V12-engined Italian hypercar has arrived, and it makes the Ferrari F80 look tame
Giamaro Katla – front
News

A new V12-engined Italian hypercar has arrived, and it makes the Ferrari F80 look tame

Modena-based Giamaro Automobili has launched the Katla – a bespoke, quad-turbo V12 hypercar with nearly 1000bhp more than Ferrari’s F80…
27 May 2025