Shelby Raptor- 575 HP Debut today

[Captain Awesome]

Ford has always been at odds with its racing programs and has in the past shut them down...remember SVO (Special Vehicle Operations)? So it wouldn't surprize me that someone at Ford is talking about canceling the SVT program. But one small problem, it's making them money! Ford only expected to produce 5,000-7,000 Raptors and ended the first year with producing 10,000 units. This guy may complain about SVT to you but deep down inside he's enjoying the money train.

Not only that but the spin off sales they get from the SVT division bring people in to the dealerships to look at these vehicles and end up buying a different Ford product.

 

[DubbsFaris]

Well the bottom line is this---I do this for a living modifying/retrofitting products infinitely more complex than a Raptor or Mustang and do ok. Have been part of more PDR’s (preliminary design reviews) and CDR’s (critical design reviews) that you can imagine over the last 28 years. This includes all of the qualification activities which involve more rigorous testing that anything in the automotive industry. I am very aware of the “causal relationships” that exist in the auto industry as well as many others. Have been a part of some in the aerospace industry that being said Shelby had a chance to spend the same money or a little more (why not two versions like the Mustangs) but did not have the vision to do so plain and simple. One only has to look at the aftermarket and see that there is in excess of a billion dollars spent every year on just automotive modifications. Where Shelby (Company not the old man) is faulted is at the systemic level for not having the strategic vision to put something together that is true to the concept of the Raptor. The wrong people were making the choices shall we say---the Shelby Raptor is a stripped down truck with a SC and kiddie go fast stickers no more no less.

It so easy a 14 year old could come up with the concept that Shelby executed---maybe people who conducted the due diligence were tired old fat men who like to cruise the mall’s and go to “Club Events” I do not know. The demographic for Shelby is the older generation that may not like to get the ole bladder bounced around so–they just want to look cool and spin tires and show off the Shelby go fast stickers. They then go home and park in the garage with the other vehicles listed in the “Official Shelby Registry”.

ALL OF THE ABOVE BEING SAID---if Shelby would have used a higher option value truck as a base, EVEN with the S/C and with the commensurate suspension improvements (kind of like the super snake why not OPTIONS) I would be a buyer. What they are doing imho as just making an easy, simple and very large margin on a dead mans’s name with easy bolt on modifications that can be done in a couple of days in a manufacturing environment. By leveraging their existing supply chain the pricing they can get on the components required for this build will be much better than any small company. In reality, there is a much bigger market for the Raptor package if done correctly at least here in Texas I see many more Raptors than GT 500’s.

Maybe the infrastructure at Shelby will not support the manufacturing assembly and testing required for anything but adding seats, mounting tire and wheel assemblies, application of go fast stickers (ok graphics) and the bolt on work associated with the SC, the required plumbing and programming.

Thank you Thank you Thank you!
THAT is the argument. I 1000% agree with this post, and its accuracy to why Shelby did what they did could not have been better stated. The red highlights I think you nailed IMHO, and so you see WHY they did what they did.

They claim to have many options coming still, but probably wanted to see if there would be more support for the Raptor than what they got for the Focus.

One promising aspect to your desire for more options come from the fact of the Supersnake. In 2007, you got Eibach suspension, different exhaust, SC, interior, gauges, and SS stripes in black only. Over the last 5 years, the SS package has grown exponentially in what options you can get. BUT, you have to start with the basics, then build on them. Shelby claims they are releasing several options, and if they see a constructive request in mass for better suspension upgrades, or whatever, Im sure they would be happy to come up with those as well.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Maybe take the new body style Mustang and make it a SVT vehicle and build that brand. Let the Shelby Car Company build the version they want to and deal with the issues associated with it.

Would not take much time at all if SVT did this right. Build the brand up and let Shelby build maybe a couple thousand cars a year. When I got 12 my GT500 thought about taking the SHELBY off. I like the low key approach and with the new Z28 out now the Mustang versions are struggling. Why not make a fresh start and let SVT build the brand up.

With the old man dead the Shelby name does not carry the same weight as it did in the past. Cannot prop him up in the cars like they did the last few years to give credence to the fact that the "man" developed this car.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Warren--Well I think my view is known and my participation on this subject has run to fruition. We agree on a lot more than I thought--thanks for the PM. Will discuss later.

 

[DubbsFaris]

Speaking of mustangs- This is supposed to be the closest mock up to what will be released according to sources that have seen it, although not identical, I prefer this over the EVOS concept.

 

[Wilson]

Looks chevy

 

[Maxx2893]

Nah, looks Aston Martin (another one)

 

[Chris's FX4]

Speaking of mustangs- This is supposed to be the closest mock up to what will be released according to sources that have seen it, although not identical, I prefer this over the EVOS concept.

As close as that green one is to the test mules that have been running around, I still like this blue one better.

 

[Sliver Raptor]

What the hell is wrong with the current one?

 

[Rookie]

Kinda looks like the new fusion.