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VIDEO: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor ready to swallow deserts

Posted by Hootan Mahallati | August 25, 2009 | In ford trucks videos

America’s favorite truck, the F-150, now has a mean brother: the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. And no, this is not some badge-engineered marketing exercise on the part of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. The Raptor is a serious off-roader certified for road use.

Powered by Ford’s venerable workhorse, the 310 hp, 5.4L V8, the Raptor rides on 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires wrapped around menacing black wheels. Ford has struck a partnership with California-based Fox Racing Shox, which manufactures dampers for motocross bikes, off-road racing vehicles and military vehicles. Fox supplied the specially-designed shock system for the Raptor which features even a proprietary oil that has withstood the entire 1000 miles of Baja without trouble.

All Raptors come with the 4x4 Super Cab configuration, can tow 6,000 lb., and have a 1,000 lb. payload capacity. They also come equipped with hill-descent control and an electronically locking rear differential.

This Edmunds video shows off the Raptor’s off-road prowess in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Southern California, home of desert racing. While the truck shown here features the 310 hp V8, the Raptor will be available with an optional 400 hp 6.2-liter V8 as of this winter. According to this Edmunds review, this is good news as the base engine feels overworked and sends the 6-speed automatic on a constant gear chase.

The base Raptor’s price starts at $38,995 including destination charge. The 6.2L V8 version will cost $41,995. Fuel-efficiency aside, the latter would be the no-brainer choice.

[Source: Edmunds via Youtube]

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