The market for off-road vehicles have already so heating, but General Motors promises to even add up more temperature to its with their new F-150 Raptor.
General Motors hinted that their new F-150 Raptor would be a high performing pick-up truck that could accelerate at high-speed on tough terrain. The automobiles producer from the U.S. believed that their new vehicles would heat up the race for off-road cars.
In recent years, the market for off-road cars has already changed, compared to ten years ago when F-150 Raptor first version produced. Ivan Drury, senior manager of insights at Edmunds, an automotive information company, said that off-road vehicles have become a trend of consumers.
Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle of this brand in the United States. Though the exact number is not revealed, Ford said that their sale for F-150 Raptor surpassed the entire line of Porche’s vehicles in the last four years.
This new vehicle of Ford has already been the third version of Raptor since 2010. The original Raptor was equipped with a powerplant of 5.4 liter V8, which was later upgraded to 6.2 liter powerplant. Then the second version of Raptor was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine. Definitely, when people talk about Raptor, its powerful engine is the first thing that most vehicles’ lovers think about.
Tony Greco, Project manager of Raptor, said that this newest version of Raptor won’t focus solely on its engine.
We’ve never been more unique in three generations with [the] Raptor, part wise. And we’ve never been more differentiated from the F-150.
Tony Greco, Project manager of Raptor.
The new 2021 Raptor will be equipped “FOX” shock absorbers, a new rear suspension setup, the largest tires of 37 inches tall, and truck’s suspension system. This car will have over 13 inches off the ground.
Since 2017, General Motors has been a dominated company in the off-road vehicles market with their Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Before releasing first look of this new Raptor, General Motors have announced the comeback of Hummer under the run of GMC. New Hummer will be labeled as an electric off-road pick up truck and have option of up to 1,000 horsepower. This new Hummer can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in just three seconds.
Ford has not pointed out the potential power for new Raptor yet although some reliable source confirmed that new Raptor could have option of 450 horsepower. And in the future, Raptor can also be delivered as an electric pick-up truck.
But Raptor will not be alone in this market as the car has a huge competition to face against opponents like Ram 1500 TRX of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Stellantis. This opponent is rated up to 700 horsepower from a 6.2 liter supercharged V8.
However, Greco is afraid of nobody.
Yeah, we knew TRX was going to throw a big giant motor into a truck and call it an off-road. And we’ll see when the shootouts come out… I’m not afraid of anybody.
Tony Greco, Project manager of Raptor.
Ford also confirmed that in this week, they will reveal the look of their 2022 Raptor R which is in designing progress right now.