The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor made its debut at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. As always, the Ford booth at the show was exciting, but this time there was a buzz of something BIG. Two trucks waited patiently beneath their silk sheets. After months of spy shots and speculations, the Raptor was ready to be introduced to the public. In Ford’s words, this truck was made to be “versatile enough to take on the most challenging desert adventures, as well as the every day commute.”
The second truck, sitting next to the Ratpor at the SEMA show that day in 2008 was what they dubbed the Raptor R (for race) which they would be taking to Mexico for following week’s the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Ford’s history in the Baja 1000 has always been strong, taking more overall four-wheel titles than any other manufacturer. Now they were there to race what is, quite possibly, one of the coolest and toughest production trucks ever built. They took third that year with the Raptor, impressive for a such a new vehicle. According to Brian Wolfe, the Ford Racing Technology director, “Racing the new truck in the elite Baja 1000 was the ultimate off-road test and allowed Ford to evaluate how well the F-150 SVT Raptor would hold up under the most unique and extreme conditions.”
That’s how it all began in 2008, and the Raptor continues to impress year after year. Current specs on the ford raptor include a Big-Bore 6.2L V8 engine, 411 horsepower, 434 lb.-ft. of torque, 4.02-inch bore with large intake and exhaust valves, and 4.10 TORSEN front differential which helps improve handling over obstacles, in slippery conditions and on steep grades. Not to mention the unbelievable sound system.
We recently took in a used 2013 Raptor and couldn’t resist the opportunity to take one into the mountains for a quick glimpse into how the truck handles both on and off road. Check out some of the footage below.
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