Ford says its upcoming F-150 Raptor will feature as many as six terrain modes and has released footage of the beastly 2017 pick-up in action.
Unfortunately, we’ll miss out on this monster bakkie here in South Africa (for more, check out this list of 5 big bakkies South Africans want but can’t have). Still, it’s interesting to see just how capable the Raptor – which employs a 3,5-litre twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine rumoured to be worth around 335 kW – appears to be once the tarmac runs out.
So, how do the six modes differ? Well, Normal mode is exactly as one would expect, serving up what Ford calls the “perfect balance of excitement, comfort and convenience”.
Sport mode, meanwhile, increases throttle response and provides “a sportier steering feel”, along with quicker shifting from the automatic transmission (which also holds each gear longer).
Toggle to Weather mode and “4 Auto” is automatically engaged, while throttle response and shifting are optimised for greater confidence in slippery conditions. Mud/Sand mode employs “4 High”, with the electronic locking differential automatically engaging as well. In this setting, the steering is also set to comfort.
Baja mode, though, is arguably the most exciting, and is designed for high-speed desert running, placing the vehicle in “4 High” and relaxing the electronic stability nannies. Furthermore, the throttle map is adjusted for a more linear power delivery and the transmission shifts somewhat quicker.
Finally, Rock Crawl mode is reserved for advanced off-road driving and rock climbing at low speeds. It prompts the driver to place the vehicle in “4 Low”, and the electronic locking differential is automatically engaged. Throttle modulation and transmission response are also optimised for greater control. In addition, the front camera allows the driver to see exactly what’s right in front of the vehicle, and it can be kept active at speeds up to around 25 km/h.
Watch the Ford F-150 Raptor in action off the beaten track in the video below…
