Ford has just announced the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it’s sure to be even better than the current Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. How’s that possible? How about lighter overall weight, stronger frame, more power, all-new transmission, more wheel travel and larger shocks?! This truck is sure to make waves far outside even the off-road community.

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Ford says the all-new Ford F-150 Raptor is their toughest, smartest, most capable truck for the ultimate off-road performance.

“When we created the first Raptor, we set out to prove vehicle performance isn’t just measured on the street or at the track – off-road can be even more fun,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “The original Raptor, plus enhancements on the all-new F-150 set the bar for us to make the all-new Raptor better in every way.”

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The all-new Raptor features a unique purpose-built frame that is the strongest in the F-150 lineup and has more high-strength steel than the outgoing Raptor. The cab is forged from high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy that helps save more than 500 pounds of weight. Of course the aggressive wider stance and menacing looks that are unique to the Raptor are still very much a part of the all-new Raptor’s exterior design which is inspired by Ford’s performance heritage in off-road racing that includes Best in the Desert, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the famous SCORE International Baja 1000. The Raptor’s chiseled looks are reminiscent of those found in Trophy Trucks – the most powerful and fastest off-road pickups.

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The all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is 6 inches wider than the standard F-150 (same width as the current F-150 SVT Raptor) for improved stability off-road but features more wheel travel than the current 11.2 inches of wheel travel up front and 12-inches out back. The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor comes standard with new FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology that works to damp and stiffen suspension travel over rough terrain to help prevent the truck from bottoming out. Both front and rear shocks have grown from their former 2.5-inch diameter to 3-inch diameter to handle all the extra wheel travel and soak up even rougher terrain.

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Another first for the Raptor is its first-ever dual exhaust and new 17-inch wheels with the next-generation BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires specifically designed for off-road performance in rough gnarly desert terrain. One thing that didn’t make it to the all-new Ford F-150 Raptor was the 6.2-liter V-8 that had a great exhaust note and instead is being replaced by a new and much more powerful second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that produces more power with greater efficiency than the current 6.2-liter V-8, which is rated at 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque.The first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost proved itself off-road in racing environments in the original F-150 EcoBoost Torture Test truck at the 2010 Baja 1000, as well as notching repeated wins in off-road race series.

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The high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost is a Raptor exclusive in the F-150 lineup. It will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for improved efficiency. An all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case, with an advanced, easier-to-use version of off-road mode driver-assist technology, further improves Raptor’s trail performance. The Raptor’s new transfer case, which manages power distribution between the front and rear wheels, combines the best attributes of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with durable, mechanical-locking four-wheel drive.

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The Raptor’s pioneering off-road mode driving technology has evolved into an all-new Terrain Management System that enables the driver to select modes to optimize driving dynamics to environmental conditions – from snow to mud, sand and more.

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The all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor features calibration changes to its powertrain, driveline, traction control, ABS and AdvanceTrac stability control for optimal performance. There are six preset modes for the truck depending on terrain and driving conditions: Normal mode for everyday driving, Street mode for higher-performance, on-road driving, Weather mode for rain, snow or ice, Mud and sand mode for muddy and sandy trails and terrain, Baja mode for high-speed desert running and Rock mode for low-speed rock crawling.

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Up front, an available Torsen front differential increases off-road capability further by increasing grip significantly for the front end of the truck which allows it to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades – even when traction is split between the front tires.

While the exterior design of the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is about projecting an image, the interior design is about creating a comfortable place for driver and passengers to enjoy their time on- and off-road. Inside touches include interior upgrades, three color material levels, and paddle shifters to manually shift the 10-speed transmission. A set of auxiliary switches to control aftermarket equipment such as lights or an air compressor are mounted out of the driver’s way in the roof of the cab – similar to a fighter plane. Advanced LED lighting and camera technology contribute to improved visibility on the trail or street – day and night.

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While we don’t yet know how much power, wheel travel or fuel economy the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will have, we’re pretty sure that it’s going to be one hell of an off-road beast and we can’t wait to get our hands on it to put some dirt miles underneath it to put it through it’s paces.

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The all-new Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant, and goes on sale in the fall of 2016.