By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 18, 2017) It’s approaching dusk and I’m behind the wheel of the ludicrous new 2017 Ford Raptor. I’m being somewhat inconsiderate to the numerous minions in other vehicles around me who are trying to get my attention through the addled pated fog of my own distractions.

I don’t recognize any of them because it’s the Mary Shelly monster vehicle I’m driving that they’re interested in, snapping photos of the legendary second-generation Raptor. It’s a creature that is seemingly fashioned in a Ford design studio in Dearborn by someone named Prometheus.

Though it’s definitely a monster, unlike Shelly’s nameless creature, the Raptor isn’t shunned. It would be more accurate to call it a rock star, and it’s big — very big.

A vehicle built to do a very specific thing, Raptor is a badass factory-made Baja Desert projectile that’s launched by a preposterous 450-horsepower, 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 with 510 lb-ft torque stuffed under its hood. It’s connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission with selectable driving modes: Normal, Sport, or the outrageous Baja mode that locks in turbo spooling at all times, rendering sensitivity to the throttle with seemingly nothing more than the pulse sensation in your right foot. Fuel economy? The best we got was 13.3 miles per gallon.

Underpinning the military-grade aluminum alloy body is a high-strength, boxed steel frame and an all-new, four-wheel-drive BorgWarner TORQUE-ON-DEMAND transfer case with mechanical-locking four-wheel drive. It also sports Baja style, race-tech dual front three-inch FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology, skid plates and bead lock rims.



Built at the same factory that spits out the Ford F-150, engineers used every available millimeter on the final assembly line to accommodate Raptor’s added wheel span, massive LT315/70R17 all-terrain BF Goodrich T/A tires and bulging fenders that span 7.2 feet across the front. Amber LED lights at the top of the grille illuminate the massive headlamp-to-headlamp FORD block letters mid grille.

Our test Raptor was the SuperCab version (base price at $49,520) with a 133-inch wheelbase and 220-inch length. This is the largest and most powerful light-duty truck on the market. It stands 6-feet 5-inches tall, including nearly a foot of ground clearance, has a 5500-pound curb weight, and is a big step for anyone getting behind the wheel.

Unlike the mythical alchemy of mixed body parts, this monster is nothing short of alluring. Good looks inside and out, especially with the $9345 optional 802A equipment package with a long list of add-ons —†30 to be exact. Included in the package are heating/cooled leather-trimmed seats, numerous technology features, Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, power tilt/telescoping steering column, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Sony audio system, voice-activated navigation and numerous other creature comforts.

Both on and off-road, Raptor has a commanding presence, not unlike an armed gladiator combatant, easily disarming the most lethal and harshest off-road conditions, including muddy ruts, boulder-strewn trails, deep sand and, of course, the Baja California Peninsula.

I spent an entire morning putting the Raptor through its capabilities at the rugged Butcher Jones Trail and dry riverbeds in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. Amazingly overqualified, I never felt like I had full control of the Raptor with little margin for driver error if I needed to make a sudden maneuver on a blind turn or sudden drop offs or changing direction while climbing through the boulder strewn trails.

Pushing the Raptor on the dry river beds, attempting to mimic the Baja by fully opening up all 450 horsepower will more than test the mettle of all but an experienced professional driver. This thing has scary speed that’s always there with little more than a flick of the right foot. Sweaty palms and pounding heart? Absolutely.

Plying urban and suburban roads and highways, Raptor presents itself with a different driving experience than the Ford F-150 that millions of owners use to commute to and from work on a daily basis.

With a suspension built for the Baja vs. the interstate, I didn’t feel as connected to the truck as I did off-road. I didn’t expect the precise handling of a sports sedan but didn’t fully anticipate the vaguely spongy, a little too bouncy, heavy steering feel. I wouldn’t say it was unwieldy and it’s nothing like the foot shuffling, arms extended gait made famous by Boris Karloff in the movies. But still, it takes some getting used to.

The 2017 Raptor is an awesome trophy truck whose aspirants are more than willing to chase you down to get a close up. If you’re not interested in that kind of attention, you’d do well to stick with a shiny new standard-issue F-150.

Vital Stats
Base Price:  $49,520
Price as Tested: $64,420
Engine: 3.5-Liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6
Horsepower: 450-hp
Fuel Economy: 15/18 mpg – City/Highway
Crash Test Safety Ratings: Not yet tested

Competes With
No direct competitors

What Stands Out
Easily handles anything you throw at it
Armored, Gladiator brute force styling
Farsightedly fast