After being unveiled for the first time in 2010, the SVT Raptor is now entering its third year of production with higher levels of capability. While the majority of the SVT Raptor remains very similar to the 2012 model, Ford has tweaked it in a few places to make it more driver-friendly and more off-road capable. It’s hard to think that there is anything else that Ford could do to make the Raptor any more awesome, but apparently it found a few shortcomings in need of fixing.

The biggest change for the 2013 model year include the addition of a new set of forged-aluminum conventional wheels that can be upgraded after purchase to extra-capable bead-locks, but there also also a few more functional improvements.

What hasn't changed is the power source. As usual, the 2013 F-150 Raptor->ke1913 will be offered exclusively with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 411 HP and 434 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 411
  • Torque: 434
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

As we mentioned earlier, the majority of the SVT Raptor is almost indistinguishable from the 2012 model year. The body is just one part that retains it same aggressive style that we all fell in love with. It’s massive “FORD” grille, reminiscent of a past era of Ford pickups, donning al black is just a reminder that this truck means business. Additional wheel flares add mire character to the SVT Raptor’s aggressive look, but they are also carryover from last year.

For the 2013 model year, the SVT Raptor will be offered with a new set of forged-aluminum conventional wheels that can be upgraded after purchase to extra-capable beadlocks. In order to convert them from conventional rims to beadlock, the driver only needs to unbolt the standard outer decorative ring, dismount the tire from its regular position, and then remount the tire in the lock-enabled position with the available beadlock ring kit from Ford Racing. This is the first time Ford is offering a wheel that has both conventional and beadlock-mounting abilities.

One big difference you will notice on the 2013 model year comes at nighttime. When you fire up the headlights to cut through the black of night, you will be able to see things a little more clearly with its all-new optional HID headlights.

You get the same color palette to choose from that you had in 2012, including: Race Red, Blue Flame Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic, and Oxford White. Ford did, however, add in an additional color that is specific to the 2013 SVT Raptor and that is the desert-camouflage-inspires Terrain.

Interior

On the inside, the SVT Raptor looks to be completely untouched, as it still boasts leather- and cloth-trimmed seating with a 6-way adjustable power driver’s seat. Bolsters on the sides of the seats wrap around the passenger and driver to hold them in place while the truck receives it prescribed off-road thrashing. For government and corporate fleets, Ford offers full-cloth seating in the SVT Raptor.

For a little extra styling, you can opt for Ford’s interior color accent package, which has blue accents to contrast against the rest of the SVT Raptor’s black interior. The Raptor also includes real aluminum trim components throughout its interior.

Last year’s SVT Raptor received Ford’s Sync system, which is now a part of the computer hall of fame, but it did not receive Ford’s MyFord system. Well, the 2013 model year did receive this high end driver connection technology, as an available option. This MyFord system starts off with an 8-inch LCD touch screen in the center stack, which also includes 5-way controls mounted on the steering wheel. This system also adds in a 4.2-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster that displays pertinent information, like menus for adjusting gauges, trip computer, fuel economy, and towing or off-road applications. Because of its utilitarian nature, Ford manufactured the control knobs for MyFord so that gloved hands can easily make adjustments.

MyFord offers a wide range of features, including: phonebook, voice recognitions, voice command, AM/FM/SiriusXM radio, song tagging, vehicle personalization, 911Assist, etc. We are sure there are going to be several special off-road and performance apps on the SVT Raptor’s MyFord system, but Ford has kept that under wraps for now.

With the MyFord system, you can also opt for a voice-activated turn-by-turn navigation system, which we wonder if it will be tuned for the oft-off-the-beaten-path Raptor, by including GPS positioning for off-road driving. You can also opt for a rear view camera to help with backing up safely.

A carryover from last year is an optional front-mounted camera to help you gauge your SVT Raptor’s clearance while off-roading with it. This system also features a washer to clean off any mud that may get on the camera’s lens.

Engine

The only engine you will find under the hood of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 411 HP and a peak torque of 434 lbs-ft.

The engine links up to the same 6-speed automatic transmission that it did last year, which includes a tow/haul mode and SelectShift Automatic functionality. SelectShift is simply a series of internal transmission modifications (high-friction clutches, more rigid hard parts, and recalibration) to help increase fuel economy and decrease drivetrain power loss.

As expected, and as a carryover from last year, the SVT Raptor features shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive. The front differential is a Torsen limited slip, which uses wheel slippage to increase the power transfer to the slower moving wheel without using complicated and expensive clutch systems. It also eliminates steering wheel jumping caused by traditional limited slip differentials. Both the front and rear axles boast 4.10-to-1 axle ratios.

Prices

The 2013 SVT Raptor will go on sale later this year. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Competition

If you are looking for a high-performance pick-up truck, there are a number of models out there to choose from, but only a few of them can get close to the same performance level of the Raptor.

One of the models that comes close is the Toyota Tundra CrewMax Limited. This model is powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine that delivers a total of 381 HP and 401 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,600 rpm.