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2012 Ford F-150 Raptor by Street Concepts
 
Unlike any other auto show on the planet, the SEMA Auto Show isn’t so much about the glitz and glamor of concept cars and world debuts like other shows. SEMA is about seeing some of the latest tuning projects from the world’s best auto aftermarket companies be displayed in all their audacious glory. One such vehicle that fits that description to a tee is this custom Ford F-150 Raptor by Street Concepts. The modded pick-up is part of Toyo Tires’ four-vehicle contingent and since its headed to the event, you can be sure that it comes packed to the brim with some of the latest tuning parts available on the market. Among the many additions to the F-150 Raptor, the most obvious is the the custom Snow Camo vehicle wrap that was added in by Street Concepts. There are also new bumpers, a new lighting set-up, Brembo brakes, and a new suspension system courtesy of Icon Vehicle Dynamics. Inside the pick-up, the modifications include a carbon fiber-wrapped interior that’s accented with luxurious black Alcantara. There’s also a comprehensive audio system that was supplied by Kenwood to give some more oomph to what already looks like a beastin’ machine. Under the hood, the F-150 Raptor comes packed with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque. UPDATE 11/07/2011: We have added live images from the SEMA Show. Check them out in the picture gallery! 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Ford has announced details on the 2012 F-150 SVT Raptor, a pick-up that has received a new Torsen front differential system and new patent-pending new front camera system. For 2012, Ford is also offering style upgrades with a new wheel design, unique bodyside graphic, and upgraded optional interior package with aluminum accents. The new Torsen front differential system increases grip significantly for the front end of the truck and allows it to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades, while the patent-pending off-road front camera system the the driver a new and unique view of what’s happening in front of their truck. "A major element of the SVT Raptor program is our work to continuously expand the capabilities it offers to customers. We want to cover all dimensions of off-roading – from desert running to rock climbing," said Raj Sarkar, Ford F-150 Marketing manager. "We always aim to keep the product fresh and exciting, and all of our changes for 2012 reflect that." Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Full story 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150
Ford has paired up with Harley Davidson yet again to bring us one of the toughest trucks around: the Ford Harley-Davidson F-150. This collaboration of toughest proportions has been around for many years and each year, both companies’ efforts double to reveal a cooler design and more aggressive performance. The 2012 Ford-Harley Davidson F-150 was presented in Sturgis, SD with distinctive new design enhancements, snakeskin leather interior accents, and unique body-side graphics. The pick-up also receives a new set of wheels, size 22" with painted accents and unique center cap for 2012. Under the hood, Ford has placed a 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine, which uses big-bore architecture and delivers a total of 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. "This is a great pairing of two icons of the open road: Ford and Harley-Davidson. Both brands appeal to truck owners and motorcycle enthusiasts alike," said Marc Lapine, Ford F-150 marketing manager. "For 2012 we worked with Harley-Davidson to continue to push the styling envelope while still delivering the durability and power that F-150 is known for and that our collective customers expect. It perfectly captures both brands." Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150. Full story Ford to tear down EcoBoost engine at the Detroit Auto Show
The 2011 Detroit Auto Show won’t be just about introducing cars and concepts to the public. While that aspect will take up most of the event’s time, there will also be a number of side events that promise to keep the show as interesting as it can be. One of the events that’s scheduled to take place is a public demonstration by Ford where a group of engineers from the Blue Oval will tear down an F-150 EcoBoost engine. The whole episode will involve the engine being stripped down to its individual parts where it will then be analyzed to see the importance of each individual part that comprises the EcoBoost engine. The engine that will be torn down by Ford engineers will be a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that can be found in the 2011 Ford F-150 pick-up. Although the engine is relatively new, Ford has simulated it to have more than 160,000 miles of wear and tear on it, which in real life form, translates to a usage time of somewhere around 10 years. Be sure to check out this special Ford event at the Detroit Auto Show where it will take place at the Ford stand on January 15th at 11 a.m. If for nothing else, it should give us a better idea of the capabilities of the company’s EcoBoost engine. Top Gear USA: Episode 4
 We are almost halfway through the first season of Top Gear USA and we are pleased to say that the show is not a complete waste of our time. In fact, we actually enjoy watching it. The clips are informative, the challenges are funny and entertaining, and the opportunity of making fun of Ferrara will never slide past us. We can’t help it; we don’t really like the guy as the "main" host. Now that all of that is out of the way, we can move on to the actual show aired. The fourth episode of Top Gear USA takes us through a long review of the Mercedes SLS AMG with Adam Ferrara behind the wheel. Only Ferrara can ruin the Mercedes’ camera time. Top Gear UK has Captain Slow, we have Captain Boring. ’Nuff said. The more interesting part of the show was the two challenges. The first was a race between the Ford F-150 Velociraptor and a HALO jumper while the second was a jumbled mess of two old beaters shooting out paintballs. And by two old beaters, we mean Ferrara and Wood. Just kidding. Hit the jump to see details on the fourth episode of Top Gear USA. Full story 2011 Ford F-150
In the United States, trucks are a part of our culture. The same can’t be said in the rest of the world, but here, these vehicles are symbols of freedom and hard work. The big three have dominated this segment, but nobody has done it better than Ford with the F-150. With the new Dodge Ram being as good as it is, Ford had to step up their game with their newest version for 2011. In order to maintain their impressive bit of marketing gold for a 34th straight year, the Dearborn-based automaker is putting four brand-new engines into their best selling truck. Reworking an icon isn’t easy, just ask the designers of the new Corvette. When it came out, those headlights were either loved or hated. With the new F-150, if something were to be too radical then you might lose buyers. So, did Ford keep things simple with this newest version, yet at the same time upgrade the winning formula? Hit the jump to find out. Full story Video: Two 2011 Ford F-150 Trucks Go Head To Head On Drag Strip
Racing trucks never really caught on, just as the NASCAR Truck Series, but that hasn’t stopped our friends over at PickupTrucks.com from racing two new Ford F-150 trucks. The two trucks that faced off were both V6 models for 2011. The website took these two new trucks to the Milan Dragway in Michigan and put them head to head in their Work Truck Shootout. While trucks usually don’t line up and drag race each other, it was interesting to see the power of these two new models. The first truck, which ran a 15.87 second quarter mile, was the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 with 302 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The quicker EcoBoost model with 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque ran a 14.67 second time at 94.6 miles per hour. Interestingly, both of these two times were quicker than the half-ton V8 models tested by the site in 2008. 2011 Ford F-150 gets new 3.7-liter V6 engine
Ford has announced today that the F-150 pick-up will receive a new 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers a fuel economy of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in 4x2 configuration. Ford also announced that trucks with the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8, and 6.2-liter V8 will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year. Each engine will be mated to a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission. The new 3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6 delivers a total of 302 HP at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 278 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm. The engine also comes with E85 flex fuel capability. "Seventy percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they’d like improved most in their truck," said Doug Scott, Truck Group marketing manager. "The 2011 Ford F-150 does exactly that with best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class capability and power, and more powertrain choices to suit their different needs." Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Baja Edition
Ford will enter the world-famous Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 with an F-150 EcoBoost. The Baja 1000 race is part of an extensive torture test program by Ford for customers to see for themselves the extreme durability testing and development of the class-leading EcoBoost truck engine. The Ford F-150 EcoBoost is powered by 3.5-liter engine with twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection and an output of 365 HP at 5,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm, all this on regular fuel. "The desert racing environment has been a tremendous laboratory for Ford over the years," said Eric Kuehn, chief engineer of the 2011 F-150. "We’re eager to watch the 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine prove its durability, reliability, performance and fuel economy in this tough setting. In addition to durability, reliability and top performance, we expect the EcoBoost to get outstanding fuel mileage to the point of saving one or two fuel stops during the race." Press release after the jump. Full story Couple test-driving a Ford F-150 accidentally crushes into Mercury Milan sedans
Either the universe is expediting the demise of Mercury or somebody just got a case of massive panic, although this dealership accident may prove that both scenarios were working hand-in-hand. Whatever the case may be, a couple looking to make a Ford F-150 pick-up truck purchase were about to test drive a unit when things took a (reverse) turn for the worse. Thinking that he was all set to go, the driver mistakenly put the pick-up in reverse only to realize what he had done a second too late. In his panic, the driver accidentally pushed the gas pedal, causing the truck to drive straight into not just one, but two Mercury Milan sedans that were parked in front of the F-150. Emergency crews were quick on the scene to help the shell-shocked couple out of the truck where, fortunately, both came out unscathed. According to KABC, all three vehicles were heavily damaged as a result of the accident, although there’s no word on whether the couple who made the trip to the dealership to test out the F-150 would have to pay for the two Milan sedans they accidentally wrecked as a result of the mishap. We’re not ones for letting incidences like this go without so much as a fine, but considering that these are Mercurys - who really buys them these days? - we’d let this one pass. Besides, the driver didn’t mean to do it so we’ll chalk this one up to the universe accelerating the inevitability of Mercury’s demise. | featured reviews:Ford F-150 latest reviews:Ford F-150 tuning:
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