Ford_News
03-15-2013, 01:36 PM
Filed under: Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Truck (http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/), Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/), Off-Road (http://www.autoblog.com/category/off-road/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/raptor04-opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/)
I'm not normally a pickup kind of guy, but the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/f-150+svt+raptor/) won me over nearly instantly. The street-legal trophy truck - there is really no other way to accurately describe it - is big, brawny and incredibly capable. Let's just say it's every bit the monster it visually portrays. I spent a week pretending I was one of Ford's Baja 1000 drivers (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r-completes-inaugural-run-of-baja-1000/), but lacking desert sand, I headed into the local mountains where a mild winter storm had dropped a couple inches of fresh snow on my favorite off-road park. The Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/) was, for the most part, practically unstoppable.
Ford offers its SVT Raptor package on Supercab and Supercrew platforms with the five-foot, five-inch bed. The Supercrew I tested rides on a 144-inch wheelbase (about a foot longer than the Supercab). In addition to its cosmetic differences when compared to the standard F-150 - there isn't a young boy on the planet who doesn't think the matte black Ford grille is cool - the Raptor has a 73.6-inch track - nearly seven inches wider than the track on the standard F-150.
After upgrading the F-150 SVT Raptor significantly for the 2012 model year, there are only a few changes for 2013. The list includes standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, Hill Descent Control, forged beadlock-capable wheels (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709308), and the new matte Terrain color (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/2013-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-goes-beige-brilliantly/) (aka "Desert Storm") option seen on my test model.
Driving Notes
The SVT Raptor grabs plenty of attention whether driving through a grocery store parking lot or bounding down the highway. Physically massive, it is amusing to watch other drivers move out of its way - nobody even considered cutting me off. Opinions were split on the new Terrain color. People either liked it or hated it. I liked it, as it hid dirt impressively well and it was a nice contrast to the trim and optional graphics (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709311) without being overly loud like the Race Red or Blue Flame.
Nobody will question the power coming from the big-bore 6.2-liter V8 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709304). Its exhaust note is frightening, but so is its fuel consumption. I missed the EPA's ratings by a long shot, never seeing double digits around town. In fact, I found it challenging to hit 13 miles per gallon on the open highway. The six-speed transmission is sturdy and only about average when it comes to smoothness, though it never skipped a beat.
The commanding view (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709318), comfortable seats, spacious cab and kitchen-like storage space made the Supercrew very popular with passengers. The additional row of three-passenger seating (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709319), easily accessible through the second set of full-size doors, seemed to provide more legroom than an airport shuttle Lincoln Town Car (http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/town+car/). I found the backup camera a lifesaver, as I often had no idea what those LT315/70R17 All-Terrain tires (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709310) were rolling over. The Raptor needs an all-around camera system (and, why can't the excellent front-facing camera work during parking maneuvers?)
Off-road, the Raptor was plush. Triple-bypass Fox Racing Shox (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709298), aluminum front suspension arms (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709300) and generous wheel travel turned (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709294) washboard surfaces smooth and absorbed impacts with aplomb. I never tried to jump 90 feet (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/watch-this-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-fly-like-an-eagle/), but I did fly over several big berms at the wrong speed. I'd hold my breath, waiting for the suspension to crash into its bump stops - but the undercarriage absorbed the impact as if we were dropping into a down pillow. While its wide track improves stability at speed, its broad shoulders (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709284) did keep the SVT off several of the narrower trails that I had enjoyed previously in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (http://www.autoblog.com/jeep/wrangler/) (the Ford is a full foot wider).
Wet snow over deep sticky mud is challenging to any 4x4, even the Raptor. Following snow-covered trails, I tried to keep it in two-wheel drive as long as possible. The truck nearly bogged-down a few times, but it was never something the electronic locking rear differential and the Torsen front differential couldn't get me out of. Rain-sensing wipers, not available on the Raptor, would have helped keep the muck off the front windshield and allowed me to keep both hands on the wheel when splashing around.
On-road, the ride wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. There was a constant background noise from the tread blocks and the occasional shutter over uneven pavement, but the ride was never choppy or harsh. In fact, after a few days my sports-car-tuned equilibrium found the Raptor more than enjoyable in the handling department too. Yes, I could live with this big truck every single day. I'm even quite sure that I would eventually learn how to park it without placing one of its rear wheels on the curb!
2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Supercrew (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.mnfords.com/rss-term-of-use/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20505219/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/#comments)
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http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/raptor04-opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/)
I'm not normally a pickup kind of guy, but the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/f-150+svt+raptor/) won me over nearly instantly. The street-legal trophy truck - there is really no other way to accurately describe it - is big, brawny and incredibly capable. Let's just say it's every bit the monster it visually portrays. I spent a week pretending I was one of Ford's Baja 1000 drivers (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/25/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-r-completes-inaugural-run-of-baja-1000/), but lacking desert sand, I headed into the local mountains where a mild winter storm had dropped a couple inches of fresh snow on my favorite off-road park. The Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/) was, for the most part, practically unstoppable.
Ford offers its SVT Raptor package on Supercab and Supercrew platforms with the five-foot, five-inch bed. The Supercrew I tested rides on a 144-inch wheelbase (about a foot longer than the Supercab). In addition to its cosmetic differences when compared to the standard F-150 - there isn't a young boy on the planet who doesn't think the matte black Ford grille is cool - the Raptor has a 73.6-inch track - nearly seven inches wider than the track on the standard F-150.
After upgrading the F-150 SVT Raptor significantly for the 2012 model year, there are only a few changes for 2013. The list includes standard high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, Hill Descent Control, forged beadlock-capable wheels (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709308), and the new matte Terrain color (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/2013-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-goes-beige-brilliantly/) (aka "Desert Storm") option seen on my test model.
Driving Notes
The SVT Raptor grabs plenty of attention whether driving through a grocery store parking lot or bounding down the highway. Physically massive, it is amusing to watch other drivers move out of its way - nobody even considered cutting me off. Opinions were split on the new Terrain color. People either liked it or hated it. I liked it, as it hid dirt impressively well and it was a nice contrast to the trim and optional graphics (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709311) without being overly loud like the Race Red or Blue Flame.
Nobody will question the power coming from the big-bore 6.2-liter V8 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709304). Its exhaust note is frightening, but so is its fuel consumption. I missed the EPA's ratings by a long shot, never seeing double digits around town. In fact, I found it challenging to hit 13 miles per gallon on the open highway. The six-speed transmission is sturdy and only about average when it comes to smoothness, though it never skipped a beat.
The commanding view (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709318), comfortable seats, spacious cab and kitchen-like storage space made the Supercrew very popular with passengers. The additional row of three-passenger seating (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709319), easily accessible through the second set of full-size doors, seemed to provide more legroom than an airport shuttle Lincoln Town Car (http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/town+car/). I found the backup camera a lifesaver, as I often had no idea what those LT315/70R17 All-Terrain tires (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709310) were rolling over. The Raptor needs an all-around camera system (and, why can't the excellent front-facing camera work during parking maneuvers?)
Off-road, the Raptor was plush. Triple-bypass Fox Racing Shox (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709298), aluminum front suspension arms (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709300) and generous wheel travel turned (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709294) washboard surfaces smooth and absorbed impacts with aplomb. I never tried to jump 90 feet (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/watch-this-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-fly-like-an-eagle/), but I did fly over several big berms at the wrong speed. I'd hold my breath, waiting for the suspension to crash into its bump stops - but the undercarriage absorbed the impact as if we were dropping into a down pillow. While its wide track improves stability at speed, its broad shoulders (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2013-ford-f-150-raptor/#photo-5709284) did keep the SVT off several of the narrower trails that I had enjoyed previously in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (http://www.autoblog.com/jeep/wrangler/) (the Ford is a full foot wider).
Wet snow over deep sticky mud is challenging to any 4x4, even the Raptor. Following snow-covered trails, I tried to keep it in two-wheel drive as long as possible. The truck nearly bogged-down a few times, but it was never something the electronic locking rear differential and the Torsen front differential couldn't get me out of. Rain-sensing wipers, not available on the Raptor, would have helped keep the muck off the front windshield and allowed me to keep both hands on the wheel when splashing around.
On-road, the ride wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. There was a constant background noise from the tread blocks and the occasional shutter over uneven pavement, but the ride was never choppy or harsh. In fact, after a few days my sports-car-tuned equilibrium found the Raptor more than enjoyable in the handling department too. Yes, I could live with this big truck every single day. I'm even quite sure that I would eventually learn how to park it without placing one of its rear wheels on the curb!
2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Supercrew (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.mnfords.com/rss-term-of-use/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20505219/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/2013-ford-f-150-supercrew-svt-raptor/)