truth about domestics

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is quite an amazing vehicle.  It can fly across the desert at speeds above 90 mph better than most cars can handle the smooth pavement of a freeway.  The fluid inside the Fox Shox dampers costs more than a set of regular shocks on a baseline F-150.  The truck debuted with the 5.4L V8 but is now available with a new 6.2L V8.  The new engine features 411 horsepower and 434 pound feet of torque, improvements of 90 or so on both numbers over the output of the old 5.4.  What if you need more power though?   Well, Hennessey has the answer, which you can see in the video above!

According to a Ford press release, the SVT Raptor is selling even better than originally estimated, with over 5,300 orders being taken since the truck was revealed about a year ago.  This is good news for the automaker, as sales should only increase with the availability of the new 6.2L V8 and the rumor of a possible Crew Cab model.  As if this news wasn’t good enough, Ford announced that a whopping 79% of Raptor owners checked the options boxes for the luxury package, reverse-sensing camera and moonroof.  62% of buyers opted for navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link and 52% of owners decided Tuxedo Black was the color for their new off road monster.  My money was on Molten Orange to be the winning color but the fact that every media vehicle was seen wearing that color, maybe people got bored?  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Ford)

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is one of the most…actually THE most impressive off-road truck offered by any OEM.  The Raptor comes straight from the factory with Fox Racing shocks, a sport tuned suspension, and enough suspension hardware to tackle trails like the Baja 1000, all with a warranty.  The one thing many fans of this truck have been asking for is more power.  After initially only being available with a 5.4L V8, Ford announced a new 6.2L V8 that bumped output to over 400 horsepower.  While that did help, people still wanted more.  To answer their call, Hennessey announces the VelociRaptor.

Hennessey took the standard raptor and bumped up the output by adding a supercharger to the 5.4L Ford V8 for a total of 501 horsepower and 520 pound feet of torque.  The video above shows you just how much the 0-60 mph and quarter mile numbers have improved over the stock Raptor.

I don’t have much news on this one, other than two gentlemen from Chile are running a mostly stock Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in the Dakar Rally.  They have successfully completed four stages of the rally.  For slightly more, head on over to Jalopnik.

(Image source: Jalopnik)

PickupTrucks.com has put together a list of the most significant trucks of the past ten years and the Domestics have taken 5 of the top 10 spots!  Vehicles like the Chevrolet Avalanche and Ford F-150 SVT Raptor were vehicles that broke the mold for a full production vehicle.  The F-150 and 2001+ GM heavy duty trucks made the list because they are what American automakers do best, the Japanese just can’t compete.  For the full list head on over to PickupTrucks.com.

(Image source: Ford)

Ford has recently released the specs on the new 6.2L V8 that will debut in the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor but until now, no one has really seen the engine up close.  That is until Jalopnik was given a walk around of several prototype engines at a tuner shop in Houston.  For more details, as well as tons of great photos, head on over to Jalopnik.

Oh, and just in case you were thinking this engine just might be the Boss…

(Image source: Jalopnik)

When the Raptor debuted, it came with Ford’s tried and true 5.4L V8.  While it wasn’t exactly lacking power, more is always better, so now Ford will offer an optional 6.2L V8!  The new motor will put out 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque!  What a monster!  All the while getting the same fuel economy as the base 5.4L.  My how technology has grown!  A bigger motor, making more power, while using the same amount of fuel!  For more details, head on over to Autoblog for the details.

(Image source: Ford)

The video above shows some truly amazing footage of the new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor doin’ its thing on some country back roads.  It also shows the BMW X6 M that it is being pitted against.  What these two have in common is hard to say, so stay tuned for more details when their winter issue hits newsstands.

Another terrific piece of writing by the guys over at PickupTrucks.com has me wanting more.  Their comparison of these two mighty trucks is a truly amazing piece, not unlike the trucks themselves.  While their missions are different, the two trucks are both impressive in their own right.  For the 4 part story, as well as tons of great photos of the trucks, head on over to PickupTrucks.com.

(Image source: PickupTrucks.com)

Inside Line had the chance to take a 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor into the desert on their own and they liked the truck so much, they said, “Honestly, the Raptor’s chassis so far exceeds the abilities of any other vehicle sold today that it should be given an award.”  How interesting, seeing as the Raptor was just named Texas Truck of the Year!