2021 Ford F-150 Raptor order guide confirms 3.5L EcoBoost V6 as base engine

[smurfslayer]

Ah, I see no reason to be "upset" if they are offering another 3.5L HO EcoBoost, but I think Ford would be really missing the mark if they didn't have the option of a V8. I don't mind at all the power available in my 2020 Gen. 2 but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer a V8.

What if the tarted up Eco that’s coming were doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds?
It’s 1500 pounds lighter than the current competition, it doesn’t need 700 hp to be competitive.

Weight is a serious detriment to performance and not just acceleration and speed. Weight works the tires, and suspension harder, stressed everything more, wears things out faster.

I’m just speculating of course, I think a 4.2 0-60 is ... ambitious ;-) but I think Ford can get the eco pretty close given what tuners are able to do and I think they can do it with factory level reliability, maybe even CARB compliant.

 

[melvimbe]

Just because you don’t want the option of 2 engines, that does not mean no one else does. Not everyone wants the TT V6. To say only a few will buy a GT500 powered Raptor is a cop out. I don’t know many people who will want the TT V6 in the new GEN 3. I sure don’t. If they do that it will be very disappointing. There will be no reason/incentive for any of us owners to move up to the GEN 3 at that point. May as well keep the GEN 2’s. If Ford offers it with one engine option that is either the GT500 engine or a 650 HP high output hybrid, then great. I believe many will be happy.

Perhaps there are 3 basic types of buyers for the Raptor. The first is those that can buy whatever vehicle they want at whatever cost. For them, the Raptor R is what they are going to for, and Ford is smart to make that model in order to keep customers away from the TRX.

The second would be for those that have a budget, and want the best offroad truck they can buy. I can see this group being split between a regular Raptor and Raptor R, depending on budget and how they balance out HP and MPG. I can even see some them going for the Tremor.

Then there are those that have a budget who want a capable truck, but need a daily driver. I just don't see the R package being that big of an appeal. That said, I think alot of them may been drawn to the Tremor, higher end F150s, or the aftermarket packages. It also seems that the appeal of getting a lower end F150 and modding the hell out of it is growing.

It seems that Ford can go a couple different ways here. I can seem them going with two engine choices for a year or two and then dropping the choice that isn't working as well, ether because there aren't enough unlimited money customers or the budget customers have other appealing choices in the lineup.

 

[GordoJay]

Perhaps there are 3 basic types of buyers for the Raptor. The first is those that can buy whatever vehicle they want at whatever cost. For them, the Raptor R is what they are going to for, and Ford is smart to make that model in order to keep customers away from the TRX.

The second would be for those that have a budget, and want the best offroad truck they can buy. I can see this group being split between a regular Raptor and Raptor R, depending on budget and how they balance out HP and MPG. I can even see some them going for the Tremor.

Then there are those that have a budget who want a capable truck, but need a daily driver. I just don't see the R package being that big of an appeal. That said, I think alot of them may been drawn to the Tremor, higher end F150s, or the aftermarket packages. It also seems that the appeal of getting a lower end F150 and modding the hell out of it is growing.

It seems that Ford can go a couple different ways here. I can seem them going with two engine choices for a year or two and then dropping the choice that isn't working as well, ether because there aren't enough unlimited money customers or the budget customers have other appealing choices in the lineup.

I'm in the group that can afford any truck I want. But I want a balanced vehicle. An R package has zero appeal to me. The TRX has zero appeal to me. Zero. Both make too many sacrifices on the altar of horsepower. I'm looking for a good daily that's decent off road and has good range. If gen3 is blown V8 only, I'll be looking at an F150 Tremor and I'll be shopping the competition. It kind of comes down to how many Raptors Ford wants to sell. Not many? Blown V8 is a slam dunk. Lots? TTV6 better be available. Ford will do what they think will maximize profit. We can guess all day long about what that will be, but at the end of the day those guesses are worth as much as a used Kleenex.

If I had to guess, I'd say the optimal strategy would be to introduce gen3 with a blown V8 and follow it up a year or two later with a TTV6 hybrid. But ... they've got lots of development time invested in gen3 and if the TTV6 is ready to release, it might make more sense to release the TTV6 and announce a blown V8, coming soon to a dealer near you. So there's my contribution to the pile of used Kleenex. Enjoy.

 

[melvimbe]

I'm in the 3rd category. I have a budget and my higher need is a DD. As much as I may like V8 noises and the HP, I'm not going to take out a second mortgage to do that. As it stands now, I have my son't vehicle to payoff, and need to think about getting my daughter into a vehicle in a couple years. Then college if that's the direction they go.

My interest in the Gen 3 is mostly fantasy, but also thinking about what I might be able to do a few years from now.

 

[SVTTrooper]

I want the supercharged V8 option and unless it comes out I'm not sure that I'd be interested in a 2021 or 2022. As someone pointed out earlier, unless they have exactly what I want, there is no "reason/incentive" for me personally to shell out a ton of extra money to upgrade my Gen1 with 28k miles. Obviously I don't drive a lot, so the whole issue of mpg is a moot point for me.

Man with 28k miles t

What if the tarted up Eco that’s coming were doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds?
It’s 1500 pounds lighter than the current competition, it doesn’t need 700 hp to be competitive.

Weight is a serious detriment to performance and not just acceleration and speed. Weight works the tires, and suspension harder, stressed everything more, wears things out faster.

I’m just speculating of course, I think a 4.2 0-60 is ... ambitious ;-) but I think Ford can get the eco pretty close given what tuners are able to do and I think they can do it with factory level reliability, maybe even CARB compliant.

I've been saying the samething for a while now. I can't see Ford abandoning the EB platform but instead either using GT parts and bumping the HP to say 600? Or doing a powerboost unit on top of the 3.5 to get there.

Either way, between the 2 options plus already being near 800lbs lighter it would be just as fast or faster than the TRX.

But I honestly could care less about the 0 to 60 times since I don't park at Starbucks and brag about my truck, nor do I care about how it performs on the street lol.

 

[codeman]

What if the tarted up Eco that’s coming were doing 0-60 in 4.2 seconds?
It’s 1500 pounds lighter than the current competition, it doesn’t need 700 hp to be competitive.

Weight is a serious detriment to performance and not just acceleration and speed. Weight works the tires, and suspension harder, stressed everything more, wears things out faster.

I’m just speculating of course, I think a 4.2 0-60 is ... ambitious ;-) but I think Ford can get the eco pretty close given what tuners are able to do and I think they can do it with factory level reliability, maybe even CARB compliant.

Fair point actually, I can't really argue that. It'll definitely be interesting to see anyhow. I think that'd be a good option for sure, though I have no clue how they'd be able to shave off more than a couple hundred pounds at most with all the aluminum etc. already. Hell, I purposely purchased mine without a sunroof to save weight as I pretty much never care about having one

Still love the sound of a good V8 though and call me crazy, but I think a proper V8 with a single supercharger should be more reliable long-term than a fully maxed out TT v6

 

[Hamm3r]

See, I'm in it for the looks. I live on the east coast, so there's nothing here that I need a Raptor for that I couldn't do in a modded '150 or Bronco or Jeep or wtf ever.
But I *love* the looks of the Raptor.
And I DD my truck. I put 25k miles a year on the darn thing.
Could I buy a Raptor R or whatever it ends up being? Probably. I paid cash for this one. But I won't be doing it.

We all have different reasons for buying the truck.
Some want performance.
Some want looks (me).
Some want comfort.

There are two guys at my work that went and spent $80k on brand new Raptors without even thinking after only one ride to lunch in mine. It's that comfortable...and that's what they both value. Neither of these trucks will *ever* spend a moment offroad...but do you think Ford cares? Nope. They made probably $100k+ on those two purchases.

Ford is going to do whatever they think will make them the most money.

 

[smurfslayer]

All I can say is, I hope they’ve paid attention to the complaints many have logged about the F150 and Raptor. They can easily address some of the low level stuff - better stock radio, better signal processing, remember last drive mode, etc. The little things add up.

Oh, and the 802a needs the massaging seats. They’re in the Explorer ST and that iteration is pretty good. Lincoln massaging seats are a little better, but since they already have them in the Platinum, no reason to not add to the 802a Rap.

 

[melvimbe]

All I can say is, I hope they’ve paid attention to the complaints many have logged about the F150 and Raptor. They can easily address some of the low level stuff - better stock radio, better signal processing, remember last drive mode, etc. The little things add up.

I doubt that the stock radio is going to be much improved. I imagine the Raptor will have B&O and B&O unleashed. Essentially, the answer to improved audio is not better quality speakers, but more cheap speakers. 18 on the unleashed. That sounds nice, but the source is still stereo. Seems like a mess, and rather expensive to upgrade aftermarket. With the speakers in the headrests, perhaps you'll have the ability to individually control each seat.

Good point on last drive mode. At the very least, revert back to 2WD when you're resetting back to normal drive mode. Ideally, I would like to set a default of Normal or Sport mode on start up, with the connected featured asking me if I want to switch modes based on the weather report.

Oh, and the 802a needs the massaging seats. They’re in the Explorer ST and that iteration is pretty good. Lincoln massaging seats are a little better, but since they already have them in the Platinum, no reason to not add to the 802a Rap.

It would be nice....

 

[Idaho]

Speculating here, but perhaps the massaging seats are not in the raptor due to the intended off-road use. I imagine the possible impacts and the driver feeling some of those in the seats could have the possibility of hitting the massage mechanisms or them braking. I agree it definitely would be cool, but perhaps it's not been included to reduce possible injury or warranty claims..?