Rumors on the Internet are nothing new, and sometimes they even prove to be true. That’s what we’re hoping after seeing this supposedly leaked spec sheet on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor’s high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. The photo comes from FordRaptorForum.com who apparently captured screenshots of Ford’s eSourceBook, a password-protected resource web page for dealerships.
The official-looking page details the Raptor’s new high-output EcoBoost, showing it will make 450 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and a whopping 510 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This matches up with what Ford product development vice president Raj Nair said during a TV interview last year.
The believability in these performance numbers is further enhanced by the baseline specs for the new, second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost. This revised engine now makes 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the 2017 Ford F-150. That means the high-output version would generate 75 horsepower and 40 pound-feet of torque more than the standard-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines found in conventional F-150s.
What’s more, the leaked web page reveals details about the HO EcoBoost. It’s said to feature new roller-finger followers in the valvetrain; hollow camshafts for weight reduction; redesigned valve-lash adjusters and new intake and exhaust valves for better durability; both direct and port fuel injection; piston-cooling oil jets; a forged-steel, fully counterweighted crankshaft; and all-new turbochargers designed to delver more boost. All this is packaged inside an aluminum block with aluminum heads that feature dual overhead cams that operate four valves per cylinder.
Ford did not confirm the validity of these claims when Autoblog reached out for comment, but rather said official details will be available closer to the 2017 Raptor’s on-sale date. The Raptor is expected to hit showroom floors in the fourth quarter of 2016.
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Why it Matters
The F-150 Raptor is an important vehicle for Ford. It might not be the sales king, but it acts as the F-150’s halo trim level, which brings interest to the F-150 lineup – Ford’s most popular and profitable product by far. Now moving to its second generation, the 2017 Raptor has to outdo the first generation in its off-road and on-road performance. Adding horsepower and torque is a perfect way to do that. Most people understand more horsepower means more speed. It’s not a hard concept to convey in 30-second TV commercials.
Ford has been rather tight-lipped about the 2017 Raptor’s horsepower and torque metrics, likely because its engineers are still putting the final touches on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost’s engine tune. Nevertheless, time is drawing near for production of the Raptor, and with the auto show season approaching, we’re expecting Ford to release the finalized and official numbers within the next few months.
And as always, stay tuned to TopSpeed for breaking news and in-depth reviews.
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Read our full review on the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor here.