Searching online or in your local dealership to explore the various Ford trucks for sale has never been a more exciting time. Among the trucks that Ford produces, the Raptor deserves special praise for its large range of capabilities. The first Raptor entered the market back in 2010 and was held in high regard for its off-roading capabilities along with general performance when compared with the other F-150s on offer. The Raptor has much in common with its F-150 counterparts, and the 2021 Raptor is part of a whole new generation of F-150s on the market. While the information on the 2021 Raptor is somewhat limited, there has been plenty of speculations as to what we can expect from next year’s model.
Although pricing has yet to be unveiled for the 2021 Raptor, we can look at pricing for the 2020 Raptor to get an idea. Last year’s Raptor was one of the higher trim tiers and shared an engine with the F-150 Limited trim, which was the top-end F-150 on the market. The 2020 Raptor started at an MSRP of $53,455, so we can speculate the price will be in the same general range for next year. Many of last year’s features are expected to make a return in next year’s Raptor, and plenty of speculation has been made for new features.
The off-road truck market has recently been set ablaze by the Ram TRX, and everyone is waiting to see if Ford will respond by making the Raptor more powerful. Amongst the possible options, the Ford community has been conversing about the possibilities of an F-150 Raptor outfitted with a V8 engine to match the V8 in the TRX. While Ford has yet to confirm the existence of the V8 variant of the Raptor, many fans believe the rumors to be true. However, it’s only a matter of time before more information is released.
The Current Powertrains
As previously mentioned, there is a high possibility for a Raptor model with an included V8 engine. The engine that has been at the forefront of the speculation is the supercharged 5.2L V8 engine that was last seen in the Ford Shelby GT500. Fans of the F-150 Raptor have been craving a V8-powered model for quite some time now, and it’s starting to look like it might soon become a reality. To put this V8’s capabilities into perspective, when fitted into the GT500 it could produce an incredible 760 hp. If this engine is fitted into upcoming models of the 2021 Raptor again be the most powerful vehicles in its class by a wide margin.
However, Ford has confirmed another new engine that will make its way over to next year’s model. Last year’s Raptor came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which provided ample performance in a wide range of driving situations. This engine produced 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, which was best in its class prior to the arrival of the TRX. A smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission came paired with this engine, and it received EPA-estimated ratings of 15 MPG city and 18 MPG highway.
However, Ford is also introducing a powerful new hybrid powertrain for the 2021 F-150, and it is possible that this could find its way under the hood of the new Raptor. The engine in question is a 3.5L PowerBoost V6, which produces 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, putting it in line with the engine in the 2020 Raptor. While it might not provide the same power as the rumored V8, Ford claims the hybrid will reach an estimated 700 miles on a single tank of gas. This is simply unheard of with vehicles of this class and can come in handy if you are planning long expeditions into the wilderness.
A Familiar Yet Distinctive Interior
As was the case with previous generations, the new 2021 Raptor will seat a maximum of five passengers. You and your passengers will have plenty of room and not feel confined in its spacious interior. While the dimensions of the new Raptor have not been released, the current Raptor offers 33.5 inches or 43.6 inches of rear legroom and 40.3 inches or 40.4 inches of rear headroom depending on the cab configuration. These measurements rank high among competitors, and those who enjoyed the interior of prior Raptor models will have no complaints with this year’s familiar style. But where many things remain similar, the infotainment system has been dramatically improved.
For the duration of the last generation of the Raptor, the F-150 utilized the Ford SYNC 3 infotainment center. This was a revolutionary step in automobile connectivity and was met with praise by fans and critics alike. With the all-new SYNC 4 infotainment system seen inside of the 2021 Raptor, another step has been taken. Unlike the previous generation of screens, the new SYNC 4 infotainment center comes in a variety of sizes ranging from the entry-level 8-inch screen up to a massive 12-inch touchscreen.
Much like last generation’s SYNC 3, you can access a wide range of useful features, including built-in navigation. But this time around, the on-board navigation can provide real-time traffic updates and integrates voice recognition. A major advancement made to voice recognition for SYNC 4 is called Natural Voice Control, which can recognize what you’re saying even if you’re maintaining a calm and conversational tone. This ultimately helps keep you focused on the road and mitigates the feeling of talking to a machine.
More features have made their way over to SYNC 4 from its predecessor but with a twist on some of them. First, the 2021 Raptor will have the same 4G LTE Wi-fi hotspot that was seen in the previous generation. With the hotspot enabled, you can connect your wireless device to avoid data caps and always stay connected. Your passengers will be treated to a strong and reliable internet connection at all times that will allow them to freely browse the web or stream their favorite content on the road.
Features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have gained massive fanfare over the past few years due to allowing a majority of smartphone functions to be accessed through the infotainment center. SYNC 4 is unique as it introduces a whole new way of them using these two features. Now you may connect your smartphone directly to the infotainment system wirelessly. With no tether between your phone and the infotainment center, you can keep your interior looking clean and rid of wires.
Preparing For A New Generation
With the introduction of the 2021 Raptor, a whole new generation will be unveiled and excitement is everywhere. The automotive industry is always evolving, but nothing sparks a conversation better than the introduction of a next-gen vehicle. Although some information about the 2021 Raptor is currently nothing but speculation, Ford will be unveiling everything sooner than later. One thing is certain, no matter which powerplant makes its way under the hood of the new Raptor, upgrading from the last generation of Raptors will be worth it. With the all-new F-150 Raptor looking this good, it’s hard not to be excited about the future.
