Short History of Ford Raptor
Ford F Series is the most popular line of pickup trucks in United States for over 50 years. This legendary line came out in 1948, and it’s been sold continuously since then. Star of the F Series is the Ford F150, the lightest pickup truck from the whole line. It is one of the most legendary American vehicles, that’s been the best selling vehicle in the whole United States for last 25 years and the best selling truck for this amazing 43 years of the American recent history. Four years ago Ford introduced the performance version of its best selling vehicle, and that’s how Ford Raptor was born. It is sold in United States, Mexico (where it’s called Ford Lobo Raptor), Chile, Peru, Canada and the Caribbean.
2016 Ford Raptor Overview
This meant to be the review of 2015 Ford Raptor, but in the meantime we find out that Ford is planing to drop Raptor’s 6,2 liter V8 engine for 2015 model year. So the only F150 truck that’s going to come out next year is the regular version, while truck performance freaks will need to hold on for another year. Another more positive news is that the old 6,2 liter engine is not going to be discontinued, it is still going to roll, but as the petrol option on heavy duty trucks of F Series. There are also rumors that Ford is introducing a powerful 3,5 liter EcoBoost engine, so we might see turbo version of this truck in 2016.
Exterior
New 2016 model is caught by spy photographers few times this year. First it was seen testing in South-Western dessert, and later it was photographed near Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. On both testings hood and front fascia were covered, so we should expect some changes in that area. On of the biggest exterior changes for 2016 model year will be the introduction of aluminum panels on the next model’s body. This truck might also come with the new shocks in the 2016 model year, since we can’t see the usual blue-chrome combo on spy photographs.
Interior
We still can’t find any photographs, spy or teasers on the Ford Raptor interior design for the 2016 model year. Stay tuned since we expect some new information to come until the end of this year.
Performance
Spy photographers saw some changes on the new Ford Raptor model, but one of the biggest change will be under the hood. Photographers witnessed that the sound of the Raptor’s engine on these test drives didn’t sound like its old 6,2 liter V8 engine. It sounded more like a large EcoBoost. If this proves to be right, we will see the first turbo-charged pickup truck. We expect new model to come with EcoBoost at least 3,5 liter big and more powerful and fuel efficient than last year’s V8.
Competition
Since the Ford Raptor rolled on its first test drive, everybody knew it is going to be special. This is the only performance oriented pickup truck on the market and its facing huge success. While writing this review I used Google Keyword Tool to check the proximity of searches for the terms I will write about. 301,000 people searched for Ford Raptor this month, which is more than double that regular F150 gets. This is by far the most googled pick up truck in the world. Its competition literately doesn’t exist, but we think that before 2016 Ford Raptor comes out, RAM and Chevy will definitely think of something. There were some rumors that RAM will upgrade its 1500, and made a performance version, same as Ford did to F150, when making Raptor. Another vehicle that can somehow compete with Raptor is the Callaway Silverado, although we are not sure is it going to come out in 2016 model year.
Price and Release Date
Both price and release date for this model are still unknown. some online reviewers think that the new model is going to come early, maybe even as early as this autumn’s LA Auto Show. If we don’t see the new model in Los Angeles this year, we will definitely see it on next years Detroit Motor Show and we can expect it arriving into the showrooms around November next year. Price of the new model is definitely going to be higher, since it is going to come with a lot of changes in performance and exterior segments. Last year’s model could be bought for 50 G’s.
Car Insurance Rates for Ford Raptor
This truck is definitely not a bargain when it comes to car insurance rates. In Ohio, which is the state with the least expensive car insurance rates, to insure this truck you will need approximately $1,000. In Michigan which is the most expensive state you will need around $2,600. In Texas and California car insurance for this truck will cost you around $1,800 and $2,000.
Trivia
Among the celebrities Ford Raptor is as popular as the Cadillac Escalade. Among celebrities who own this truck are: Bubba Watson, who owns a bullet-proof version, Jesse James, car celebrity whe definitely knows a good truck when he sees it, George Kottaras from Cleveland Indians, Ryan Shackler, famous skater who uses hist truck as a skate ramp, John Marey, Heidi Klum, Prince Jackson, Scott Disick from the Kardashians, few race drivers like Ken Block and Ken Conway and many other celebrities we don’t know about.
What Girls Think About Ford Raptor?
I asked few friends about this truck and they think it looks powerful and fun especially for the people with adventurous spirit. They think it would be really fun to ride it around some off-road terrain or sand dunes. Since this truck is one of the most most capable off-road vehicles on the market, girls nailed it one more time.
