[swanson]

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Motor1

For now, the Raptor remains a V6-only truck.

At first blush, the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor takes the same approach as the standard F-150. For better or worse, it doesn't look all that different or more exciting than the truck that came before, regardless of whether you're studying its physique or taking in the cabin. But more than even the bread-and-butter truck Ford based it on, the third-generation Raptor hides major innovations. A V8, though, is not among them (at least not yet).

We figured we'd rip that particular band-aid off first. Despite breathless media reports and spy videos, this Raptor will continue to soldier on with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (much to one rival's joy). The Blue Oval isn't sharing power figures just yet, but with the 700-plus-horsepower Ram TRX, last year's numbers for the Raptor – 450 hp and 510 pound-feet – might feel a bit weak if they indeed reappear for the 2021 model year. As for a more powerful rival to Ram, it sounds like one is coming next year with the Raptor R, but Ford stopped short of confirming anything but that truck's name.

The good news is that the new Raptor's call will be all the stronger thanks to a new equal-length exhaust system. A "trombone loop" pairs with active valves, allowing the three-inch pipe to produce more (or less) sound as needed. Four distinct exhaust modes – Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja – should operate in the same manner as on the Mustang, changeable based on both the driver's preference or the selected drive mode. Based on the samples Ford has released, this might be the first 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that sounds good.

Speaking of those drive modes, there are seven, doing all the usual things (adjusting transmission/throttle behavior, damper firmness, etc.). The drive modes, though, are an important way of taking advantage of the Raptor's totally revised suspension. Never an area where this high-performance truck slacked off, the third-generation model goes well beyond either of its predecessors.

Ford completely redesigned the rear suspension, adopting a five-link rear with super-long trailing arms and a Panhard rod, the pair of which should deliver some impressive articulation. There are new Fox shocks in 3.1-inch bodies and massive 24-inch coil springs at all four corners, too, blessing the Raptor with huge levels of wheel travel – 14.0 inches in front and 15.0 in back.

You'll only get those impressive stats with the standard 35-inch tires, but let's be honest, we all want the obnoxious 37-inch optional tires, even if suspension travel falls to 13.0 front and 14.1 in back. Regardless of which size you go with, the rubber in question is the BFGoodrich KO2 and they go with one of three choices of wheels (including two beadlock-capable options).

But despite these changes, the Raptor's evolutionary approach to, well, a lot of stuff is what's going to reach consumers. That exterior design, despite the new hood, revised fascia, and tweaked tailgate is still perilously similar to last year's truck (as we predicted). We like the especially different touches – the hood and its power dome, along with the side grilles, are big improvements. And we're okay with the SuperCrew being the only body style so far, too.

But if you were hoping for revolution, the Raptor doesn't deliver. That's true in the interior, too, where modest aesthetic updates blend in with the standard F-150's overall design. You'll get some orange accents here and there, a splash of carbon-fiber trim, and Shelby GT500-sourced paddle shifters, but that's about as far as the cabin goes.

As Ford isn't sharing horsepower or torque figures just yet, it comes as little surprise that the Blue Oval isn't telling us how much the new Raptor will cost when it goes on sale this summer. The 2020 Raptor SuperCrew started at $56,440 (not including the $1,695 destination charge), so if the modest price increases for the F-150 are any indication, we'd wager the 2021 Raptor will remain a sub-$60,000 proposition to start. Look for much, much more on the new Ford F-150 Raptor in the coming weeks and months.

https://www.motor1.com/photo/5567723...-f-150-raptor/

[stein_325i]

Waiting for the Raptor R. Ford is gonna need that Shelby V8 to compete with the TRX. I'm personally not a fan of the Ecoboost V6 in trucks.

[swanson]

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/f...150-confirmed/

[AlexFL]

Raptor R with the GT500 supercharged V8 will be awesome! JamesNoBrakes , like this truck?

[swanson]

Glad to see this new Raptors front end resembles GEN 1. Love my GEN 1 Raptor.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by swanson

Glad to see this new Raptors front end resembles GEN 1. Love my GEN 1 Raptor.

Raptor>TRX

[Burrcold]

Should have been a V8, even with an R coming.

[chassis]

Nice idea. A nicer idea in my view is a Bronco Raptor R Shelby Cobra - whatever nomenclature Ford wants to use. Think Ford AMG G63 or X7MC.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by chassis

Nice idea. A nicer idea in my view is a Bronco Raptor R Shelby Cobra - whatever nomenclature Ford wants to use. Think Ford AMG G63 or X7MC.

Bronco's gonna be called the Warthog, for their equivalent to raptor.

[GOLFFRR]

Raptor R? never heard of that, is that a for sure thing or just speculation?

I love the raptor, wouldn't mind having one of those any day of the week. The interior looks awesome

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by swanson

Glad to see this new Raptors front end resembles GEN 1. Love my GEN 1 Raptor.

Thats actually one thing that I don't like about this redesign. Don't get me wrong, I have and love my 1st gen Raptor, but this front end (headlights in particular) look a little plain.

Maybe I'm just used to seeing it everyday.

[M3_WC]

Had to go look up the current gen, to see the difference. Honestly couldn't tell. I don't follow these to closely.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Raptor R with the GT500 supercharged V8 will be awesome! JamesNoBrakes , like this truck?

I like the current gen a little more. The ecoboost is a good torque-monster, so that won't change. I like the off-road emphasis. I probably would have bought a friends 2019 if I had known he was selling it. I generally don't care for trucks, because people tend to use them like lifted luxury cars these days, too nice for driving hard or off-road with gear, but the Raptor being geared towards off-road with the suspension to back it up is definitely a good exception.

Don't like how this one looks as much though, don't see any "f-22" in there and it just looks too plain now, like a brick.

[supra93]

https://www.motor1.com/news/485938/2...t-inspiration/

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Waiting for the Raptor R. Ford is gonna need that Shelby V8 to compete with the TRX. I'm personally not a fan of the Ecoboost V6 in trucks.

And I'm personally not a fan of any type of truck. However, The Raptor is a great truck and the only one I would purchase.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by GERMAN M3

And I'm personally not a fan of any type of truck. However, The Raptor is a great truck and the only one I would purchase.

Are you actually German or an American living in Germany?

[383vett]

The 6 cylinder EcoBoost is nothing to sneeze at. I have a friend who bracket races a 2020 F150. The thing runs 12's with just a tune and E30.

[Mingwan]

Should've named in the Raptor RawR instead.

I think this one looks worse than the what i guess is now the previous gen..Headlights look more aggressive on the previous gen.

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Are you actually German or an American living in Germany?

I consider myself to be both. Born and raised in Germany and became a Naturalized Citizen when I turned 19. But when it comes to vehicles I always tend to be partial to my home country of Germany and its auto manufacturers. Have always loved wagons and have never quite understood the huge fascination for oversized SUVs.

[P1]

Nothing to see here. Still that awful sounding V6 under the hood.

[roastbeef]

its a little underwhelming. i'd be interested in taking a look at the v8. i'm going to be a future customer of either the raptor r, or an f250 platinum diesel. right now, i'm leaning towards the f250.