The automaker drew from its trophy truck experience to make a vehicle that can go off-road racing out of the box.
The difference between the Raptor and the race-prepared trucks it’s based on is that the Raptor is street legal. The Raptor chassis is significantly wider than the stock F-150 to accommodate large wheels and a wider suspension. Options on the test car, including the Raptor package, custom paint, luxury interior, rear back-up camera, Sony navigation radio and a trailer brake controller bring the price as tested to $49,395.
A blacked-out grille and black exterior graphics make the truck visible for miles. I wouldn’t want to try parallel parking the truck on the street. The chassis’ extra wide suspension results in a larger-than-normal turning radius: 44.6 feet.
Considering its high ride height, visibility to the front and sides of the car is remarkably good. Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel antilock braking stop the truck in a firm, linear fashion.
The Raptor’s live rear axle makes for a bumpier ride, both on and off-road, than a fully-independent suspension. Off-road trails are the Raptor’s ace-in-the-hole. The Raptor’s extreme suspension travel and large wheels take some getting used to. The luxury package on the test car includes power driver and front passenger seats and power adjustable pedals. Seat heaters make the truck more comfortable in temperature extremes.
Redundant steering wheel controls minimize driver distraction. As with most pickup trucks, most of the Raptor’s cargo space is in its open cargo bed. Standard safety
All models come with front, side and side curtain airbags. Other standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability and traction control.
Off road, the whole package comes together and presents a massive footprint (the Ford F150 SVT Raptor is eight inches wider than a regular F150).
This machine, which comes standard with a tow package (factory installed trailer brake controller, tow hitch and trailer sway control), can tow 6,000 pounds of toys just about anywhere – while being able to keep up with said toys in the dirt. SERIOUSLY!
Pricing, Trims and Options
Ford’s F150 SVT Raptor is currently offered only as a SuperCab. Base model Ford F150 SVT Raptors start around $38,000.
Fully optioned, the Raptor will run around $47,000. Some noteworthy options include the $1,075 Graphics Package, $2,430 Sony (stereo/navigation) Package, $495 Molten Orange paint option and $1,950 Luxury Package (heated/power driver and passenger seats, heated mirrors and adjustable pedals).
Interior Features
The interior is a mixed bag of regular F150 components and specialty items specific to the SVT Raptor. Seats are unique and comfortable up front. Ford added massive side steps, which work well for shorter folks but aren’t so great for taller.
The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor currently resides in a class of one, capable of off-road speeds that would demolish most production four-wheelers. Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) has created a new segment by applying the same methodical focus to an off-road performance truck as it did to legendary pavement-bound projects such as the Ford GT. The result is a 7-inch-wider wheel track that creates an F-150 8 inches wider than its stablemates. The wider track allows for larger tires (35-inch LT315/70R17) and more suspension travel, the stroke of which is handled by a set of Fox Racing Shox specifically designed for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
Performance
Off-road the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is in a league of its own, swallowing knee-high whoops at extralegal speeds, all while refusing to bottom the suspension. The off-road suspension pays other on-road benefits, as the worst pavement you could dream up is easily swallowed by the Raptor. Inside, the Raptor retains the standard F-150 SuperCab seating for five and roomy front cabin. Wind and especially road noise remain remarkably low considering the off-road tires. Several dash-mounted switches are unique to the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, including the knob for the rear electronic locking differential (ELD). The Raptor's ELD works in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive modes (Hi and Lo), and can stay locked up to the Raptor's governed 100-mph top speed.
To take advantage of the Raptor's 6,000-pound tow rating, Trailer Sway Control and a tranny tow-haul mode are standard. The Raptor is available in four colors: black, Molten Orange, white and blue. No vehicle that has ever rolled out of dealerships with a factory warranty can match the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor's abilities to eat up dirt at speed.