Off-road enthusiasts in this country know all too well that desert driving is a demanding pursuit that takes its toll on both motorist and machine alike, meaning their 4x4s must be super-tough yet agile.
A new addition to the region’s stable of rough riders comes with the Middle East launch of Ford’s all-new 2017 F-150 Raptor, which the US firm said is the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever.
Developed with the DNA of a Baja race truck, F-150 Raptor has a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension that enables it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain.
Using the same high-strength, aluminium alloy body and a fully boxed high-strength steel frame as the current F-150 road pickup trucks, the 2017 Raptor is up to 227kg lighter than the 2014 model. Launched in the United States last autumn, the beast is from now available to the UAE off-road market.
Combined with a new high-output second-generation EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission, it delivers a 21 per cent improved average torque-to-weight ratio and a 23 per cent improvement in EPA-rated combined fuel economy compared with the previous generation Raptor. The new engine produces more power with greater efficiency than the current 6.2-litre V8.
“Raptor was designed to be a no-compromise, off-road performance machine,” said Thierry Sabbagh, the managing director of Ford Middle East. “The 2017 Raptor is the best high-performance off-roading pickup truck available, and as one of the most successful and popular trucks in the world, represents Ford’s willingness to consistently sit on top of the truck food chain.”
The F-150 Raptor’s looks are reminiscent of Trophy Trucks – the fastest and most powerful class of off-road pickups. The Raptor also boasts its first-ever dual exhaust and new 17-inch wheels with next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres designed for off-road performance.
An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case, with advanced, easy-to-use off-road mode driver-assist technology, further improves Raptor’s performance so it is easy to drive off-road across varying terrain.
Weight savings play a key role in improved shift performance. The 10-speed gearbox – the first from Ford not to employ cast-iron components – uses advanced materials and alloys that result in less weight.
For the country’s off-road Ford fans, perhaps it is time to tame an all-new beast.
chnelson@thenational.ae
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