Gen 2 0-60 and first drive review

[df4801]

I agree with 03'Darin.

But if it only gets 1-2 mpg better than the outgoing v8, then I think Ford made a bad trade off. I hope they arent just pushing this whole ecoboost strategy before its ready.

 

[Chris's FX4]

I agree with 03'Darin.

But if it only gets 1-2 mpg better than the outgoing v8, then I think Ford made a bad trade off. I hope they arent just pushing this whole ecoboost strategy before its ready.

Two words for why it has an Ecoboost....

"Halo Vehicle"


It's a vehicle that will get people into the doors at Ford dealerships, much like with the Gen 1, Shelby's, and the GT. When Joe Schmoe sees this badass truck or race car has an Ecoboost motor in it, he'll have no problem getting one in his Escape, Focus, or whatever.

 

[SilverBolt]

Perspective. In 1978-79 the quickest production vehicle in the world was the Porsche 930 turbo. It did 0-60 in 5.0 seconds. Things have sure changed.

 

[03'Darin]

I agree with 03'Darin.

But if it only gets 1-2 mpg better than the outgoing v8, then I think Ford made a bad trade off. I hope they arent just pushing this whole ecoboost strategy before its ready.

Personally I think there are a few reasons Ford went Ecoboost on this truck.

First off they have invested their product future right now in the success of the Ecoboost. Putting the Ecoboost in the FGT and now the Raptor will give the Ecoboost that much more credibility.

Second of all is fuel mileage. CAFE ratings can cost a manufacturer a tremendous amount of money in a few different ways. Ford makes big money on the truck line. Right now when the fuel prices are down and the economy is fairly stable the truck, expeditions, explorers all sell very well. But on the other hand the smaller more economical cars don't. This makes it harder to reach CAFE rating fro the product line. That's one of the reasons why we've seen rebates as high $4,000 on Focus.

Third off this motor is a good base that won't take a lot of money to make a fair amount more hp. The manufacturer knows buyers and the aftermarket are just drooling waiting to mod this motor and see what it's capable of. Ford won't warranty that stuff buy you damn sure better believe they love seeing press all over the place of power and performance numbers these things will be capable of.

Fourth is more about why they didn't do a TTV8. If they did a TTV8 there isn't any other model it would be used in. So R&D and build for a low production motor would drive the costs up extensively. The 3.5 is just a mildly modified version of the Gen2 3.5 Eco so cost is significantly less.

With all that being said I think real world MPG numbers will be about 2 - 3 MPG better than the 6.2 driven in the same conditions. That's a fair amount better when you consider the HP/TQ gains it's also producing.

 

[lambchop]

A sub 7 to sixty, I'm happy.

It's not a sports car, shaped like a brick, wearing all weather/off road capable tires and... it's 5500 pounds. What the hell were people expecting?

To top it off, the TFL guy is a piece of work. I get the impression someone hurt his feelings at this launch b/c he was all happy and high on the truck in the presser video where he wasn't allowed to drive the truck. Now, the truck dives under pedal to the floor braking. No kidding?? Oh, it doesn't sound like a V-8?? Oh really?! I would have never guessed? Sub 16 mpg after you've flogged it like a rental? How could that be? Good heavens people.

While no fan of the Jalops in general, I'm amazed how a reviewer who typically drives other-than-trucks can be so happy with it's on road manners yet a guy who thinks he's a truck guru pans it. Something stinks.

Maybe Road & Track will be the mature, nay, the thinking man's review.

 

[hkguns]

Two words for why it has an Ecoboost....

"Halo Vehicle"


It's a vehicle that will get people into the doors at Ford dealerships, much like with the Gen 1, Shelby's, and the GT. When Joe Schmoe sees this badass truck or race car has an Ecoboost motor in it, he'll have no problem getting one in his Escape, Focus, or whatever.

The reason for the Ecoboost is pretty simple. It's a damned great and reliable engine that out performs V8's.

I too was disappointed in the review from these long term owners of the G1 truck.

I'm betting you can reliably pull 5.7 or so second 0-60 times.

 

[ZaneMasterX]

He is upset because Ford wont give him a 17 Raptor as a long term test vehicle since he already has a Gen 1 that he bought.

Also he is in the completely wrong mindset while driving on road. No shit the nose dives when you smash on the brakes. No shit it handles like a big heavy truck. No shit it doesnt handle like a sports car and feels like it is carrying around a lot of weight. He complains about heavy steering yet he can change that setting back to normal independent of sport mode if he so chooses but he isnt smart enough to figure that shit out.

Does it feel good on road compared to other same sized trucks?

Does it brake better or just as good as other same sized trucks?

Does it accelerate better or just as good as other same sized trucks?

Youre going to be disappointed if you compare on road behavior of a 5500+lb truck to a BMW m4 sports car.

He complains it doesnt have that v8 burble, get over it already, its been years since we knew about it being a ttv6 and it is what it is.

 

[17Jake]

EcoBoost is damned great/reliable engine that out performs V8's.

******' right bro

 

[SJRaptorG2]

This is not a professional review, seems more like the personal opinion of a guy who is stuck in that v8 sound thing. Get with the times!

Reminds me when I worked in a old auto service station, the old mechanics and owner would complain about the no good power steering, auto transmission, electronic ignition, fuel injection, unleaded gas, front wheel drive, and so on and so on…

The way I see it, right now the gen2 is the best production all around pickup in its class from daily driving to off road high speed performance driving. There will be better in the near future, and when there is I will trade in my G2 if needed.

BDW, Fast Lane Trucks clocked a 2016 10 speed 3.5 eco screw with two adults 0-60 at 6.85. Also they are right about one thing….I don’t want fake sound piped into the cab! Can’t wait until someone puts out a how to disable it thread.

 

[BurnOut]

...the old mechanics and owner would complain about the no good power steering, auto transmission, electronic ignition, fuel injection, unleaded gas, front wheel drive, and so on and so on…

I gotta admit, I'm with 'em on that wrong-wheel-drive bit...

...and on the V8 thing, I gotta admit... at heart, I'm a V8 guy. That said, you gotta go with results... and at least at this point, it looks like the HO 3.5L is delivering those results. Sure, if I were looking at pushing the truck WELL beyond what the factory ever intended, then give me the biggest motor that'll fit, so I can stack a blower, or turbos, or whatever on top of it to make as much power as possible. However, if you're wanting a warrantied, engineered, tested, fully-integrated, 100k+ mile durability, 450 hp, long travel suspension truck, then the Raptor is it (I'm hoping to see the Dodge TRX hit the showroom, though...). The other thing is that it'll be a hell of a lot easier to get the HO 3.5L to 500+ hp than it would have any truck-tuned N/A V8...