How many trucks do you know of that can traverse a desert at high speed? Or survive a road trip through a wilderness with no roads?
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is already pretty special, but that didn’t stop the Blue Oval from offering a Special Edition for the suddenly red-hot all-terrain conquistador. The package consists mostly of exterior and interior styling tweaks for this amazing off-roader.
You can tell a Special Edition Raptor by its unique “Ruby Red” paint (it’s also available in black) and different graphics. Instead of the black slash that adorns un-special Raptors, this one gets its name spelled out on the side of the bed.
On the inside, there’s Brick Red trim on the seats and some new styling bits for the center console, stack, and door panels.
The Special Edition also comes with the standard Raptor’s Luxury Package, which nets powered heated front seats, Sony HD Radio, a navigation system, Sync with MyFordTouch infotainment, a backup camera, remote start, and HID headlights.
As with most special edition cars, the things that make the 2014 SVT Raptor Special Edition different are pretty superficial. It’s better not to think of it as a special model, and instead think of it as a Raptor with extra stuff.
After all, this is still a truck that looks like it can kill you, with fender flares that make it seem as wide as an 18-wheeler. It’s also the only production vehicle on the market that can go anywhere fast.
Under the hood is a 6.2-liter V8, producing 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. Backing that up is a smorgasbord of off-road hardware, including triple-bypass Fox Racing Shox, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and skid plates in case the Raptor drags its belly while traversing the Darien Gap.
Like a stick-shift car, the Raptor also allows its driver to shift its four-wheel drive system’s transfer case on the fly to maximize involvement and keep the wheels turning in low-traction situations.
With its singular combination of off-road ability and raw power, the Raptor is already a very special vehicle. A special edition model really isn’t required, unless Raptor owners really feel the need to stand apart from other Raptor owners.
