Ford’s 2017 F-150 Raptor will squeeze more power out of a smaller engine

By Stephen Edelstein Published September 29, 2016

The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will boast 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Those are among the details Ford released as it gets ready to put the Raptor on sale, more than a year and a half after it was unveiled at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

The horsepower figure isn’t too much of a revelation, as it matches an unofficial figure quoted by Ford product development boss Raj Nair shortly after the Raptor was first shown. It confirms that the new 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 will be substantially more powerful than the 6.2-liter V8 in the old Raptor, despite being smaller. The V8 produced 411hp and 434 lb-ft.

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The EcoBoost engine is similar to the one used in other F-150 models, but it gets upgrades like reinforced turbo compressors, dual exhaust, and special engine-management software for Raptor duty. It’s teamed with the new 10-speed automatic transmission that should roll out in non-Raptor versions of the 2017 F-150 this month. The gearbox was co-developed with GM, which will use it in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Ford believes the combination of the downsized EcoBoost and the 10-speed automatic will make the 2017 Raptor more efficient than its predecessor. It predicts an EPA-rated 16 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway) for the new model. The old V8 Raptor was last sold as a 2014 model, and was rated at 13 mpg combined (12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway) at that time.

Like the rest of the current-generation F-150 lineup, the Raptor also has an aluminum body. Ford says it saves up to 500 pounds compared to the 2014 model. The lighter material should provide both efficiency and performance benefits, because having less weight to haul around makes everything better.

Ford still won’t say exactly when the 2017 F-150 Raptor goes on sale, but when it does, it will start at under $50,000. The launch should take place relatively soon, so stay tuned.

Stephen Edelstein

Former Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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