Guaranteed they wont release any hp numbers on Feb 3 . My prediction 475 hp engine + 75 hp electric . 550 hp and 650 ft/lbs torque total combined. Defiantly give TRX run for the money at least to 75mph . Release is going to be more about suspension ,styling , interior , powering you camp site with the generator . They will talk about the Raptor R V8 No HP numbers . Then Ram will do the redeye motor once ford release HP #s . All marketing.
I was thinking they would go hybrid + eco too, but, I’ve become skeptical of this.
Check out the Aviator vs. Aviator GT vs. explorer ST. All have the same 3.0TT at 400hp, the GT gets the hybrid power plant.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a29676290/2020-lincoln-aviator-grand-touring-by-the-numbers/
2020 Ford Explorer First Test: 3 Rows, 3 Engines, and ...www.motortrend.com › cars › ford › explorer › 2020
Explorer ST is good for a high 13 quarter mile, the aviator is good for 13.6 @103. It’s not insignificant, but it’s basically 650 pounds extra weight for .3 in the quarter mile.
Ford just put the Raptor on a diet, went to aluminum panels, and did a bang up job of making a lighter, more efficient, quicker accelerating, faster, and better handling Raptor. There is no way they can use the hybrid powertrain and keep the weight under Gen1 spec. much less gen 2 spec. Even if they were to get to 480hp from the gas engine, you’re getting to maybe 580?hp, with a half a ton of torque. You think the electronic nannies are bothersome now? Wait until you put an electric power plant behind the already powerful gas motor... The Gen 2 can overwhelm the rear tires now, so let’s set that side.
let’s get back to the weight. Maybe it was Ford’s plan all along to lighten the trucks and make them more compatible with current electric tech. I don’t think so. I think that Ford was preparing to transition to electric power on about a 10-15 year schedule and I think they were planning to ride the Ecoboost into the ICE sunset still meeting cafe and carb numbers and selling every one they make. Until Dodge upended the apple cart and quite literally sent Ford scrambling to protect the name and reputation of it’s to date, completely unchallenged industry leader. My thinking is that Ford was planning to skip a year or 2 of production and had zero intention of a v8 power plant and that they considered the TRX to be vaporware. Obviously that turned out to be false, and either way, I believe they ramped up production scheduling to preserve market share. I would expect this truck to be less refined and more bug prone than the ’17 was; still good, but rushed.
I don’t think we see a hybrid power plant in the Rap. I think they will go for bigger power from the Eco. There’s plenty there. My thinking is, possibly more of the GT parts work their way into the Rap power plant or newer ones, bigger turbos, better intercooler revised tuning and a pretty significant increase in power. If they do this, and can keep the weight the same, or drop some pounds, they’ll have a competitive truck.
