Excitement is building for the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. Based on the newest version of the F-150, the fully updated Raptor is a huge improvement over the first-generation truck. Not only does it feature the F-150’->ke423s aluminum body and interior, it comes with a host of unique upgrades that make it stand apart.

The Raptor’s frame is beefed up over the standard F-150’s high-strength, fully-boxed steel frame, its suspension is upgraded with a new generation of Fox Racing shocks and stronger front control arms, and of course, its drivetrain is all-new and built specifically for Raptor duty.

That drivetrain includes a bespoke 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that’s said to make more horsepower and torque that the last generation Raptor’s 411-horse, 434-pound-feet of torque 6.2-liter V-8. The EcoBoost is mated to Ford’->ke31s all-new 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All this is designed to make the Raptor a true Baja champion right from the factory.

Speaking of that, the 2017 Raptor is slotted to go on sale in the fall of 2016, meaning we’re only a few months from its release. That’s where this video comes in. It’s the first in a six-part series Ford is releasing over the next six months. This video->ke278 highlights the Raptor’s off-road ability and capability. The next five videos will cover the BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, the six preset driving modes, the long-travel suspension, the Raptor’s design, and a capstone video highlighting more of the truck’s off-roading abilities.

Ford says the videos will be released monthly. That puts the last video debuting in October 2016, right about the time the Raptor should arrive in showrooms. Stay tuned for when Ford drops the next video come June.

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Why It Matters

It’s clear Ford is awful proud of its Raptor program – and for good reason. You’ll recall the original SVT Raptor debuted in 2009 during the darkest days of recent economic memory yet sold extremely well. The Raptor, developed under Ford’s Special Vehicles Team, was slated to be a niche product with limited appeal, much like the Ford F-150 Lightening pickup SVT has previously produced. However, the Raptor blew up and Ford’s niche off-roading pickup quickly became the halo vehicle for the F-150 lineup.

Sadly, the Raptor has been in hiatus since the new generation of F-150s launched in 2015. However, the marked improvements to the F-150 will carry over to the second-generation Raptor, plus all the upgrades to the Raptor-specific parts like the long-travel suspension and reinforced frame.

Thankfully the new generation of Raptor pickups should be well worth the wait and will surely sell even better than before – that is if Ford doesn’t price it too high.

Ford F-150 Raptor

Read our full review on the Ford F-150 Raptor here.