Ford has built a new f-150 raptor

Lighter and more powerful than before, it’s the performance off-roader to rule them all

This is the brand new Ford F-150 Raptor, and we have a bit of bad news: Ford has ditched the outgoing car’s 6.2-litre V8 for a smaller engine.

But there is Good News! Because this smaller engine is actually more powerful, and takes the shape of the new second generation 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6. We’re not told exactly how many horsepowers it has, only that it’ll have more than the last car’s 411bhp and 434lb ft of torque.

Unveiled at this year’s Detroit Motor Show – alongside the spectacular new Ford GT – we’re told this V6 will be mated to an all-new ten-speed gearbox for better efficiency.

Then there’s the new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case, that Ford claims offers better traction all round.

The Raptor is a handy 500lbs lighter than before too, thanks to a “high strength, military grade aluminium body”, there’s a new Terrain Management System (you select according to what’s happening outside – snow, mud, zombie apocalypse etc), and new suspension.

The Raptor also comes with larger Fox Racing front and rear shock absorbers – 3in up from 2.5in – which allow for more suspension travel.

Ford has modelled the outside of the new Raptor on a Trophy Truck, and fitted a dual exhaust (the first one on a Raptor) and 17in wheels with off-road tyres.

“When we created the first Raptor,” explains Ford group VP Raj Nair, “we set out to prove vehicle performance isn’t just measured on the street or at the track – off-road can be even more fun.”

Admit it, you want one immediately, no?