The SVT Ford F-150 Raptor has been overwhelmingly popular since its introduction as a 2010 model. The Raptor four years later still sells well despite its thirst and expense, a testament to the demand that exists for a true off-roader.
One of the concerns of late as Ford readies an all-new Ford F-150 for 2015 is the future of the Raptor given the new CAFE fuel economy rules the next-generation F-150 will have to live with. It’s akin to having been an adult and moving back in with your parents with curfew and the old rules.
Well TheTruthAboutCars is reporting that indeed the SVT Raptor will be back in the next-generation F-150 but not until the 2016 model year. Whether the Raptor will still use the large and heavy 6.2 liter V8 as its primary power source is yet unknown.
The 2015 F-150 is reportedly getting an all-aluminum body structure to be mounted on its steel ladder frame in a bid to save weight. This move would be a pretty brave shift by the Blue Oval, and reports are they have been weighing the decision heavily.
An all-aluminum body structure would save hundreds of pounds enabling not only better fuel economy and performance, but the continuation of high-performance models like the Raptor in a CAFE world. Additionally, it could allow other power-trains to be available in the off-roader like the EcoBoost V6.
Aluminum body structures while not unique to large trucks like semi diesel rigs, would be a new era for production consumer pick-ups. Using the metal saves weight but brings with it a number of manufacturing challenges.
Aluminum is better for longevity in areas like corrosion which steel is hard for. But the metal often must be thicker to be as strong. This presents a new engineering paradigm for crash safety as well as a learning curve for body shops who will eventually have to repair damages.
In the end, the good news is that Raptor fans can rest easy. The off-road flier isn’t being parked in the hangar just yet.
C&P from the article below;
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor to return in 2016 | SVTUSA
