UPGRADED F-150 RAPTOR RAISES BAR AGAIN IN ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE WITH SMARTER SHOCKS, NEW TRAIL CONTROL
- 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor features class-exclusive FOX™ 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with Live Valve technology that can adapt to terrain in real-time to actively maximize handling, comfort, and bottom-out resistance
- New Trail Control™ system is like cruise control for low-speed, rugged terrain – automatically adjusting to send power and braking to each individual wheel to allow drivers to focus on steering along the trail
- All-new Recaro sport seats help keep drivers secure at low and high speeds off-road
Ford is making its iconic F-150 Raptor – the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup – even better with upgraded technology including class-exclusive, electronically controlled FOX™ shocks, new Trail Control™and all-new Recaro sport seats.
The upgrades are focused on key components that have made F-150 Raptor the benchmark in off-road trucks for an even tougher, smarter, more capable trail runner.
“Raptor’s success is rooted in its incredible suspension, superb vehicle control and the confidence the truck instills in its owners,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance vehicle programs. “Upgrades to the 2019 F-150 Raptor have improved all three to new levels that the competition will have to benchmark – again.”
While Raptor has plenty of torque and horsepower, building a high-performance off-road truck isn’t just about engine power – it’s also about the suspension. Raptor’s suspension upgrades make it even more capable of clawing away at the terrain.
To enhance Raptor’s already proven internal bypass shocks, Ford Performance worked directly with FOX to develop all-new electronically controlled Live Valve technology for the new platform that continuously adjusts damping in real-time. This class-exclusive setup uses sensors in the suspension and body to maximize comfort, handling and bottom-out resistance.
“By automatically varying compression rates, Raptor can now make the most of its suspension travel of 13 inches at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear,” said Salenbauch. “The 2019 Raptor is not just more capable off-road. It’s smarter.”
Paired with Raptor’s Terrain Management System™, Live Valve suspension technology can increase the truck’s high-speed off-road capability while also enabling smooth on-road driving performance.
“Not many trucks need sensors to detect when you are midair,” said Salenbauch. “Raptor sets the dampers to full stiffness to help smooth shock performance as the truck lands.”
Low-speed performance off-road is also improved. New Trail Control helps F-150 Raptor drivers navigate challenging conditions. It’s like cruise control for low-speed, rugged terrain, automatically adjusting power and braking to each individual wheel to allow drivers to focus on steering over rugged terrain. Trail Control can be activated at speeds from 1 mph up to 20 mph depending on driveline position.
The system makes everything easier – from driving on a simple two-track trail to traversing a rocky hill climb. Not only can Trail Control automatically draw significant engine torque to overcome steep obstacles, it can individually brake the wheels so the truck comes down smoothly on the other side.
Raptor drivers now have enhanced seats to help keep them firmly in place for improved confidence at low and high speeds. All-new Recaro sport seats provide aggressive support with generous bolstering in the seat back and cushion. This available seat design features blue Alcantara inserts and accent stitching inspired by the Light Speed-colored interior of the Ford GT supercar.
Raptor’s aggressive exterior gets even more intense for 2019 with eye-catching new colors including Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue and Agate Black. An enhanced rear appliqué and available newly designed beadlock-capable wheels round out the new look.
The upgraded 2019 F-150 Raptor will be built at Dearborn Truck Plant. It goes on sale in late 2018.
2019 F-150 RAPTOR – TRAIL CONTROL – BRINGS OFF-ROAD CRUISE CONTROL TO 2019 F-150 RAPTOR
The upgraded 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor has picked up a new feature – Trail Control. It’s like cruise control for off-road driving. This new innovation manages throttle and braking, allowing drivers to focus on steering through challenging off-road conditions. It makes taking Raptor through the rough stuff more fun than ever.
Trail Control can be activated at speeds from 1 mph up to 20 mph, and Raptor is the only pickup that allows the driver to operate Trail Control in all 4×4 modes. The new feature can help overcome steep obstacles by automatically directing torque to each wheel then braking to smoothly bring the truck down on the other side. It also can help in digging the truck out if it happens to get stuck in extreme sand.
The upgraded 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor will be available in late 2018. Trail Control also will be available on the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger, arriving in dealer showrooms early next year.
FORD RAPTOR’S CUTTING-EDGE TERRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ENABLED BY CUTTING-EDGE AWD/4WD TRANSFER CASE
- All-new 2017 F-150 Raptor features a cutting-edge transfer case that merges all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive capabilities for handling virtually any situation – including sport, weather, four-high desert and four-low locked off-road driving
- Controlled automatically via all-new Terrain Management System™, or manually by the 4×4 switch, innovative transfer case offers an electronically controlled clutch-based, on-demand system that delivers outstanding performance – for confidence whether on-road or off
- Specially designed transfer case employs an electronic shift-on-the-fly system featuring mechanical locks to tackle all types of terrain for serious off-road performance – including nearly 2,500 miles of off-road competition testing
DEARBORN, Mich., May 4, 2017 – When the all-new F-150 Raptor hit showrooms last fall, few could foresee the extent of the innovations beyond its high-output engine and new skin. Along with all the power and agility gains comes the most advanced drive mode system in its class* – a cutting-edge Terrain Management System™. It is enabled by an all-new dual-mode transfer case that incorporates both all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive systems and electronic lockers to deliver the ultimate multi-terrain experience.
To give Raptor drivers more performance and capability both on-road and off, Ford Performance engineers developed this all-new transfer case to manage the distribution of power between front and rear wheels. Key to that is clutch-based, on-demand all-wheel-drive capability for everyday driving, including all-weather mode, while also providing a mechanically locked, durable four-wheel-drive system for confidence in severe off-road driving environments.
When combined with the non-sequential 10-speed transmission and high-output EcoBoost® engine, Raptor can deliver its 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque more efficiently for the ultimate driving experience – whether you’re on the road or way, way off.
“Raptor’s transfer case provides the best of both worlds, with the natural benefits from all-wheel drive, such as increased traction in rain and snow, as well as extreme off-road capability that comes with a mechanically locked system,” says Tony Greco, Ford F-150 Raptor program manager.
Typically, four-wheel-drive options for trucks come in two transfer case varieties – on-demand systems that employ a clutch to transfer torque to the front driveline, similar to how all-wheel-drive setups work, or electronic shift-on-the-fly systems that use mechanical locks to couple the front and rear driveshafts.
Ford engineers sought to enhance the daily driving experience of Raptor while preserving its ultimate off-road performance. With the clutch-based feature of the transfer case, drivers can travel on-road using the 4×4 auto setting, which delivers the benefit of four-wheel drive without the repercussions of component damage or driveline binding – something that can occur when drivers try to use mechanically locked systems on high-traction surfaces like pavement.
Ford fine-tuned the calibration of 4×4 auto depending on road surface conditions, so the transfer case can vary the clutch torque to suit the environment. For example, when the driver selects weather mode via the Terrain Management System, it’s tuned for slippery surfaces, while sport mode is tuned to feature more of a rear bias that can provide a fun driving experience, including better acceleration and on-road performance.
When Raptor is operating off-road, its electronic shift-on-the-fly system is still available in the form of 4×4 high and 4×4 low – enabling drivers to navigate harsh terrain with confidence and added robustness. In mud/sand mode and Baja mode, the transfer case shifts into 4×4 high, making it optimal for tackling trails and loose or soft ground – as well as engaging in high-speed desert runs. In rock crawl mode, the transfer case employs 4×4 low, enabling intense off-road driving and rock climbing at low speeds, while using an additional gear reduction ratio to provide enhanced capability with improved powertrain response.
In all cases that involve severe environments or conditions, the transfer case delivers flexibility for elite performance. While the Terrain Management System is designed with default 4×4 settings, drivers can manually override the settings to further fine-tune the system for a different experience.
The system was performance-tested in nearly 2,500 miles of competition testing in the 2016 Best in the Desert series, completing the 850-mile SCORE Baja 1000 to conclude the season. In the end, Greg Foutz Motorsports team members drove the truck another 400 miles back to their headquarters in Arizona.
*Class is full-size pickups under 8,500 pounds. GVWR based on Ford segmentation.