All-New 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor: Dual Exhaust Technology | F-150 Raptor | Ford Performance

Getting back to basics in the best way. Inspired by the legendary history of Ford racing engines and state of the art audio analyses and prototype designs, the 2017 F-150 Raptor boasts an exhaust that redefines the sound of off-road performance.

All-New Ford F-150 Raptor Named AutoGuide.com's Truck of the Year

DEARBORN, Mich.,  Add yet another trophy to the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor showcase. The all-new Raptor crushed the competition in the California desert to earn AutoGuide.com’s Pickup Truck of the Year. Earlier this year, Raptor took home Best Pickup Truck of 2017 honors from Cars.com and the Four Wheeler Pickup Truck of the Year award.

“The 2017 Raptor is the whole package. It’s not just suspension or just appearance. Ford left no stone unturned with this purpose-built Baja runner, and it shows,” said Stephen Elmer, AutoGuide.com trucks editor. “While each truck in this year's competition brings something to the table, the Raptor feels truly special, managing to provide a truck that is capable, intelligent, and most of all, a riotous amount of fun.”

In earning the AutoGuide.com award, the F-150 Raptor won over the judges during testing in Barstow, Calif., where they praised the  Raptor’s innovation, overall driving experience and value for the money.

The purpose-built, off-road F-150 Raptor builds on the success of its predecessor with performance gains and new technology that didn’t go unnoticed by AutoGuide.com reviewers. With a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission, a six-mode Terrain Management System,™  and a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body that saves 500 pounds over the previous model, the all-new Raptor stands alone among high-performance off-road trucks.

The 2017 F-150 Raptor’s competition-proven chassis also sets the performance bar with its second-generation BF Goodrich KO2 tires designed exclusively for the truck’s extended off-road capabilities. In addition, upgraded FOX Shocks (jointly engineered by Ford Performance and FOX) are 44 percent larger with 3-inch diameter shock canisters (2.5-inch previously) and nine-stage bypass damping delivering improved suspension control. The new shock design enables an increase in suspension travel to 13-inches at the front and 13.9-inches at the rear (a 0.8-inch front and 1.9-inch rear increase in wheel travel compared to its predecessor).

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

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BakFlip MX4 Truck Bed Cover at SEMA 2016

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F-150 Dependability Award Underscores Built Ford Tough

• F-150 builds on its renowned toughness as truck is recognized for top dependability among large light duty pickup pickups in the J.D. Power 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study
• Truck shoppers prioritize F-150 quality above all other attributes, and consistently say it is a differentiator, according to internal Ford research
• 2017 marks 40 consecutive years for Ford F-Series as top-selling truck in America

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 22, 2017 – American truck owners who value Built Ford Tough pickups are taking in some more great news today: Ford F-150 is J.D. Power’s 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study award recipient for large light duty pickup.

“All customers demand quality vehicles, and truck customers depend on toughness and reliability most of all,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president for quality. “That’s why Built Ford Tough is much more than a slogan. It’s how we develop the F-150 and how we deliver on our promise to customers to continuously improve America’s favorite pickup truck.”

In January, Ford celebrated a major milestone as F-Series became the top-selling truck in the United States for the 40th consecutive year and the best-selling vehicle for 35 years. Ford has sold more than 26 million F-Series trucks since January 1977.

Ford research shows F-150’s dependability – paired with its capability and toughness – is a key differentiator for the truck over the competition. Truck shoppers say they prioritize a pickup truck’s quality above all other attributes.

In addition to F-150 ranking highest among large light duty pickups, Ford takes home second most-improved brand in a tie in the annual J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study released today.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Knapheide Win-A-Truck Sweepstakes: Jason's Story: Part 1

We're pleased to announce the winner of our Win-A-Truck Sweepstakes, Jason Jackson. Jason is the owner of Jackson Electric in Hardy, Arkansas. Watch the first part of Jason's story as he visits our headquarters and specs out his new work truck.

Expanded choices: Fleets are set to take advantage of alternative powertrains

More and more suppliers of medium-duty vehicles are adding options for alternative powertrains. For example, Dana recently introduced Spicer Electrified motor, control and e-drive technologies for electric vehicle propulsion systems.

Currently in production, the Spicer EV Drive for electric vans manages speed and torque from the e-motor to the wheels. Planned for launch in 2018, Dana’s new e-axles for city delivery vehicles and electric transit buses will feature a fully integrated motor and gearbox. The company is also working with automotive manufacturers to develop all-wheel-drive (AWD) e-axles paired with traditional front-wheel-drive hybrids.

Also in the news is the new XLP Fleet-Ready plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) solution for half-ton pickup trucks from XL Hybrids. The PHEV system will be installed as a ship-through upfit that will leave the original OEM engine, transmission, and fuel and exhaust systems intact, and will not have any special maintenance requirements. XLP will also include the XL Link cloud-based analytics system, which measures MPG performance and reports emissions reductions.

XL Hybrids surveyed fleet managers to understand their requirements and to develop the new technology. The XLP solution builds on the platform used on the company’s XL3 hybrid-electric powertrain, which has covered more than 35 million miles on Class 2-6 vehicles since 2013. The XLP lithium battery pack will accommodate Levels 1 and 2 charging using an industry-standard plug.

“Expanding our offering to include plug-in solutions is the next step in our plan to electrify fleet vehicles with technology that saves money while reducing fuel consumption and emissions,” says Tod Hynes, founder and chief executive officer of XL Hybrids. “The XLP system allows fleets to purchase the same OEM pickup trucks with the powertrain and warranty intact with an electrified powertrain to increase MPG.”

“Major fleets that have already adopted the XL3 hybrid-electric upfit system know that ‘fleet ready’ means it does not compromise the ability to provide customer service,” adds Clay Siegert, XL Hybrids’ co-founder and chief operating officer. “With our new XLP system, we’re equally committed to not impacting service, delivery or field operations.”

A number of utility and municipal fleets, including San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E), Liberty Utilities, Hawaiian Electric Co. and Montgomery County Maryland, are among the XL Hybrids customers that intend to purchase the new XLP PHEV system for pickup trucks. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2017 and SDG&E has already announced plans to purchase up to 110 of the XLP systems between 2017 and 2020.

Liberty Utilities and its parent company, Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., are also planning to add the new XLP systems. “The number and delivery timelines will be defined by our budget, but from a fleet perspective, we see a potential need for one to one-and-a-half percent of our fleet, or approximately 10 to 15 units, as assets come up for retirement,” says Stephen McCrodan, purchasing manager for Liberty Algonquin Business Services and director of fleet purchasing at Liberty Utilities.

“We adopted a fairly strong green fleet policy as we took steps to ensure that we’re doing all we can to minimize our impact on the environment,” McCrodan says. “We have shifted much of our fleet over to cleaner burning CNG and continue to; however, there are some Liberty Utilities service areas that do not have a natural gas infrastructure, and that prevents the use of CNG in those locations. Also, some of our locations are small, and the infrastructure required to support CNG would be too big a burden. For sites like those, a PHEV is an excellent alternative.

“OEMs have reduced their alternative fuel offerings for vehicles used by utilities,” McCrodan adds. “We have certain job functions which require or are optimized by a compact SUV or light-duty
pick-up truck and now we have fewer alternative fuel choices from manufacturers. Systems such as XL Hybrid’s XLP will help to fill the void.”