Monday 6th September 2010

More Power For Ford F150 'Muscle Truck'

6.2-litres and 405bhp for latest performance pick-up

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Ford's F-150 SVT Raptor, the range-topping version of its mega-popular F-150 pick-up, has received a 2011 refresh - and now gets the previously optional 6.2-litre V8 as standard.

This means that the 'miserable' 320bhp 5.4-litre V8 has been replaced with 405bhp and 434lb ft worth of 6.2-litre V8. It's actually a relatively sophisticated mill, too. Look past the cast iron block and single overhead camshaft and you'll see aluminium cylinder heads and even variable cam timing.

But we wouldn't expect too much from the handling. The F150 SVT is supposed to be a game old bird, but it is still a three-ton truck with a live rear axle and rear leaf springs.

It's hardly a paragon of subtle good taste, either, but if 'Sporty Redneck' is a look that works for you, the latest SVT Raptor could well be just the thing...

[MrTappets]

How obscene. I want one.

[jon-]

As I've been browsing the classifieds for Hilux / Nivaras this morning I really really want that. They make a Raptor version too, with 12 inches of suspension travel.

Utterly useless but utterally brilliant. Much like the Ddoge Ram SRT10 with the 8.3 litre V10 from the Viper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Ram_SRT-10

ETA: The news article this is linked to seems to be missing

Edited by jon- on Monday 6th September 10:09

[daveco]

Why don't Ford build these for the European market with a powerful diesel lump?

[Cooldudeoli]

Agreed, Certainly on my want list. Personally like the look of it.

[mackie1]

It has very trick Fox dampers that let it tackle very rough terrain at speed. Not so handy on road but biblical off it.

[SystemParanoia]

daveco said:

Why don't Ford build these for the European market with a powerful diesel lump?

because every singe one they build in the US.. is sold in seconds... they just dont need to!

[AndySA]

I would love to have one of these as a 3rd or 4th addition to the garage. At least I work in construction so have a half decent reason to need one.

[Wills2]

I love these things.....however they are too big for our roads IMHO. My next door neighbour has an american truck and its bloody massive silly sized, but quite cool.

[RDMcG]

Brilliant truck. I want one.

[Austin.J]

This is one of the many things I just need in my life.

[torres del paine]

I absolutely love these trucks - this one looks terrific.

[dlockhart]

Austin.J said:

This is one of the many things I just need in my life.

is the other one a plastic extention of a certain part of your anatomy?

People say the Porsche Cayenne is a pointless vehicle - I say this is just as much.

[NorthernBoy]

These things are absolutely huge, far too big for our roads here in Europe. They are also horribly, horribly crude to drive.

If I move back to the US, and want something to haul motocross bikes, jet skis, or to have a patty on, then it'd be perfect, but the idea of trying to use one to go shopping in in the Uk, or to park in a UK space, is not appealing.

[mackie1]

The offroad tweakery that the Raptor gets actually makes it a pretty crap for towing or carrying much load as the rear springs are pretty soft. As a toy for blatting about in the desert in, pretty much unbeatable this side of a custom desert racer.

Old tech + new tech:

[Steamer]

Lovely! Its a proper Marmite vehicle.

...but what was wrong with putting just a normal blue oval on the front?! That F O R D lettering on the grille is the only bit I dont like.

[308mate]

Note the size of the discs ^^^^^.

For 3 tonnes of truck with 400hp, they really need to sort the braking. The Previous Lightning's were woeful. Made worse by a comedic ABS system.

[archangeldk]

Gimme gimme gimme

[Stig]

308mate said:

Note the size of the discs ^^^^^.

For 3 tonnes of truck with 400hp, they really need to sort the braking. The Previous Lightning's were woeful. Made worse by a comedic ABS system.

You realise those are the rear brakes?

I'd love one

[Roo]

The biggest problem is that it's going to be horrendously expensive by the time it gets over here.

[NorthernBoy]

Stig said:

308mate said:

Note the size of the discs ^^^^^.

For 3 tonnes of truck with 400hp, they really need to sort the braking. The Previous Lightning's were woeful. Made worse by a comedic ABS system.

You realise those are the rear brakes?

I'd love one

Yes, the rear brakes, but on a long vehicle that is designed to carry loads over the rear wheels.

They are about half the size of the rotors on my 1,600kg car, far too small for something this big and heavy.

I do sort of understand the emotional appeal of US trucks, but having lived and driven in the US, I'd never in a million years want one over here. They are just unpleasant to drive on interesting roads.