Ford Motor Company just pulled the sheets on the redesigned third-generation 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor, framed as the most off-road capable and tech-connected Raptor ever offered. For the time being, GM has no direct rival.
Once again taking inspiration from trophy trucks and off-road racers, the latest 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with stout suspension upgrades to keep it churning in the rough stuff, including a five-link rear suspension with extra-long trailing arms, 24-inch springs and a Panhard rod. The suspenders also feature next-generation Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks, which incorporate electronic control technology for greater damping adjustability up to 500 times per second, plus 3.1-inch diameter anodized aluminum shock bodies.
“Raptors largest-ever shock as designed to better resist heat buildup and to react even faster to terrain changes for greater confidence over extended desert running,” Ford explains.
Customers are offered either 35-inch or 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain T/A/ KO2 tires. With the 35-inchers, the latest F-150 Raptor offers 12 inches of ground clearance, a 31-degree approach angle ,and 23.9-degree departure angle, while the 37-inch tires provide 13.1 inches of ground clearance, 33.1 degrees of approach angle, and 24.9 degrees of departure angle. Wheel travel is rated at 14 inches in front and 15 inches in the rear with the 35-inch tires.
Under the hood is a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 engine. Power levels have yet to be announced. A 10-speed automatic transmission is on board to send the power to the ground, with an electronic locking rear diff fitted as standard and a Torsen front LSD available.
Inside, the new F-150 Raptor features a customizable 12-inch digital gauge cluster and 12-inch center screen, both as standard. Further standout features include a Terrain Management System, Trail 1-pedal Drive, and available 360-degree camera.
Ford will release the go-faster Raptor R next year. As first reported by our sister publication, Ford Authority, the Raptor R will feature Ford’s 5.2L Predator V8 engine, the same engine found in the Mustang Shelby GT500, with output estimated at 725 to 750 horsepower.
For now, General Motors has no direct rival to the Ford F-150 Raptor. The nearest approximation is the up-and-coming Chevy Silverado ZR2, which was previously planned as the ZRX. However, the Silverado ZR2 will feature the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gas engine, which produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, falling short of the 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque offered by the outgoing Raptor.
One could also argue that the off-road-friendly GMC Hummer EV pickup is a potential rival, although the Hummer’s all-electric powertrain places it in a different segment than the ICE-powered Raptor.
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Comments
“One could also argue that the off-road-friendly GMC Hummer EV pickup is a potential rival, although the Hummer’s all-electric powertrain places it in a different segment than the ICE-powered Raptor.”
I think the bigger difference is the price.
A gas Hummer is cleaner then a Tesla.
why do you think that?
DOA. It has no chance against Hummer EV; 1000 HP, 11500 lb-ft torque, 0-60 3s, infinity roof, crabwalk, extract-mode(instant 6″ lift), ultravision, supercruise…
There’s no question that the Hummer is superior in nearly every metric except range and sound (unless it’s that EcoBoost V6 dronebuggy…terrible). But considering the Raptor pricing will probably start at about half of the Edition One Hummer EV, it’s hard to compare the two.
I like our big gunship better overall.
You maybe right about the starting prices, not exactly half of Hummer but considerable lower, but we all now that nobody buys base vehicles nowadays, starting prices are just for marketing, so if we zero in on high end models, i don’t think there will be much of a price difference, especially after seeing ram TRX’s akin to 100K tag.
The Fox shock technology looks interesting
GM has the patent on the best shocks at this time. Fox is trying to duplicate until the patent expires. Search the material for proof.
This market is very small and zr2 version of Silverado will be cheaper and do all the stuff the raptor can do and probably better. It won’t be as wide, it won’t be as heavy and will be a lot less expensive to own. Not really a money making idea since the colorado is the better size for offroading.
such a absolutely stupid move for GM not to compete with FCA and ford with a full size offroader with 700hp. now they missed their one and only opportunity before everything becomes electric.
You really want a Ford “truck” made out of weak aluminum cans?
The only truck that isn’t a truck is the Honda truck. The new Hummer is a great truck on paper since we actually don’t know what it’s like but they should absolutely offer a high performance off-road ICE truck. Some how FCA even managed to beat them to it when Ford already had 3 generations of the Raptor. It just sorta makes GM look bad especially since they had years to create one.
gm has decided to abandon ICE technology in the very near future. I would love to see a last hurrah for the ICE Silverado in performance guise. Flared fenders and bed sides, DSSV dampers, supercharged 6.2 V8, electronic front and rear locking differentials, and 37″ tires just to name a few items would be fun.
And to Joe: No, the Colorado ZR2 is not equivalent. I prefer the full size trucks.
Plus the redesigned 5 link coil sprung rear axle is pretty cool on this.
No joe biden EV edition made out of aluminum. REAL METAL, REAL GAS.
Well they managed to make it ugly, inside and out. Hate the new front end and hate the chrome bar dash. Bleh
Sorry, lost me with the front end, boy are those some stupid looking headlights!
That’ll never be “Truck of the year”, screen’s too small. 😮
Truck of the Year don’t sell the most TRUCKS, that’s just a title which can be bought. The Ford RAPTOR out sales the Corvette and Porsche 911 which is the peoples vote. Thanks to the RAM 6.2 TRX the RAPTOR now has 2 models, A 3.5 Eco and a upcoming 5.2 S.C competition is great
Your comparing truck sales to sports car sales?
Let’s pit an NFL playoffs team up against your local high school football team (to be fair, sales wise).
Or maybe, C8 (only) Corvette sales up against the Ford GT sales (all of them, ever sold)
By the way, where’s that GT “Ring” time?
Let’s revisit your theory next year now that Biden has shut down oil production and continues to shut down even more production slated this year, The big 3 car manufacturers are taking CA emissions as the new edict to build, GM not making ICE in less than 8 yrs. There won’t be enough high paying jobs to buy these cars with so many layoffs…
I personally wouldn’t buy one for everyday use, not its purpose in Surbuberia. JMO
Overkill. But cool.
GM is stupid to drop the ball on all ICE development. It is still a much smarter solution than electric for most people. GM turns their back on their most loyal customers…..Truck buyers.
Kamala Harris will make sure power is detuned in the white ones but not the black ones.
They have one with a confederate flag on it ready for you.
For him the Ram TRX will have to be painted in the General Lee orange scheme. Since it’s a Ford it can be Uncle Jesse’s white also…😉
GM should make a performance offroad truck based on the Tahoe/Suburban with long travel independant suspension to be different than the rest of them. Offer it with the 6.2 V8 (470-490hp) with 10 spd auto or a six speed manual. Thanks
Lol they will never make that and if they do no one would even care or know about it. Let’s look at the past few times GM went balls out on a vehicle only to have mediocre sales . Excluding the Corvette: Chevy SS(looked boring), CT6-V, CTS-V, Colorado ZR2(why aren’t they also giving the Canyon it!), Trailblazer SS, Camaro Z28. These listed vehicles are bad ass performance wise, but either got shut down for being too bad ass, or GM failed to even make it known to the average person a car exist like that. Mopar on the other hand is winning that game
Nice truck, crazy that you can now option it with factory 37’s! I honestly think the outgoing model was better looking however. Like Ford or not you have to give them credit for first building and then continually improving upon this truck. The new Hummer EV will be cool in it’s own right but clearly not the direct Raptor competitor so many guys have been dreaming of. With GM’s recent EV announcement I’m starting to lose hope that we will ever see any significant advancements in the ICE platform moving forward. If they stop all ICE development it will put GM’s truck division in a very unfortunate position. Like has been mentioned GM needs to build a full on no excuses Raptor / TRX competitor. I’m not talking about a 75% effort, I’m talking about the real deal! Come on GM, give your faithful one last truck to be proud of!
The Trailboss/AT4 trims weren’t even 50% of the effort
I would agree, the 75% was in reference to the rumored full-size ZR2. In a perfect world we get an affordable ZR2 and a balls to the walls long travel wide body ZRX.
Over on TFL they said Ford is working on a Raptor R version that will most likely have a V8 to compete against the Ram TRX.
GM had lost its way smh .
are you sure?
This is pretty much what you want to see a manufacturer build. It’s well thought out and very appealing. So now I am looking for GM to build a competitor to this. It is definitely worth a look. And don’t get me started on the Bronco. Aced that one I have to say.
For those comparing the HUMMER EV to this or the TRX,,,, STOP! First and foremost, try doing what the TRX/Raptor do with the Hummer, seriously doubt you’ll have an intact spine in the, the trucks were built to tackle jumps and washboard roads at triple digits speeds. The Hummer EV was designed to go against a jeep in terms of scaling rocks etc.
Secondly, price….yeah the TRX/Raptor are expensive but not really comparable to the Hummer where the bulk of the awesome capabilities are reserved for the Hummer EV 1st edition, everything afterthat is meh, you get less features as you move down trims. Whereas, the Raptor and TRX come with the insane 0-60 times, different suspension, and are pretty much fully loaded . not to say the Hummer isn’t nicely equipped but I doubt the base level will be as attractive features wise as you go to the more affordable models.
Bottom line with GM committing to EV only in 2035 and so far no real news or reveals to combat these trucks with the Silverado/Sierra…you best hope within 3 years GM reveals a true fighter. If by 2024 we don’t see one, the chances of this thing being born is slim. If they do reveal one, they matter market the hell out of it so everyone knows about it
They better get it out before the Ford F150 EV. It’s already rumored to be 50% better than the Raptor, at the same starting price.
As a GMC dealer, we sell far more AT4’s than Ford sells Raptors and both dealers and GM are making great profit on these trucks. The average American can afford one and the guys who want an $80K truck can easily build a truck out of an AT4 that competes and beats a stock Raptor for less money. Personally I think GM is smart to not dump money into a low volume truck like Raptor. Just keep selling $55-$65K trucks at volume and the profits between the 2 companies speak for themselves.
Ted I don’t think anyone is saying the AT4 or TrailBoss are not a sales success. They were very welcome additions to GM’s lineup, clearly there’s a market for more affordable mild off-road trucks. Only problem is Ford already has the FX4 with an F-150 Tremor on the way and Ram has the Rebel. Both occupy the AT4 / TrailBoss space. Yet both Ford and more recently Ram still see the value in having a halo model that drives additional sales and most importantly brand enthusiasm.
Ted,
The Raptor is Ford’s most profitable vehicle and they sell a ton including for export. If you compare it to the AT4, you don’t understand the truck market, specialty vehicle or segmentation.
Just a thought and JMO…
There are sooooo maaaannnnyyy custom truck builders that can beat stock Raptors in HP, suspensions, and aftermarket body parts. Ford is taking a lesson from these custom builders and became the first to take advantage to sell them as a factory build. Hand clap…
I priced out a Denali with a 6.2 with all the discounts for 47k, adding 170 hp power added for 7.5k installed which includes a dyno tune, upgraded tranny and tq converter to handle 650 rwhp for 2.2k and pumpkin for 2k, added new shocks for 1k, lift for 1.2k, tires and rims 2.4k, and full SS exhaust w/headers for 1.2k installed, all under 65k
For you folks wanting to know bhp, what factory touts i.e. 700 bhp. Times 650 rwhp by 15% driveline lost and you’ll be over 900 bhp.
Unfortunately, I went ahead with a car…. way cheaper and much streetwise.