The Borrego desert in the southeast corner of California is a storied local among American off-roaders and that's where I first had a chance to get behind the wheel of Ford's new Raptor. And while that was a decent shake-down for this truck, I also spent a week beating it through the bush in Northern Ontario.
Based on the F-150, this truck is a factory version of what many enthusiasts have built themselves with aftermarket parts – an off-road racer. But it's not just a platform with bolt-on shocks and oversized tires; its body has been massaged and contoured into a unique shape with a unique rounded nose and recessed headlights. The Raptor's wheel arches are pronounced and lipped with plastic mud guards – a practical design feature as the stance of the Raptor is 7-inches wider than a stock F-150. The same is true for the rear haunches of the truck that bulge over the tires and then sweep around to a solid brick-like tailgate.
So, with special suspension, a new body and purpose-built powertrain this SVT (Special Vehicle Team) creation gives the Raptor a high-performance off-road capability while still keeping it street-legal and decent to drive on pavement.
More:
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: First Drive on AutoGuide.com
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