It’s been over a year since Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] revealed its new F-150 Raptor but there’s still plenty to learn about this performance-oriented, off-road pickup.
This week Ford revealed details about the vehicle’s drive modes selector which has six modes capable of handling everything from off-road rock crawling and desert running to track-like conditions.
The modes are fairly self-explanatory and include Normal, Sport, Weather, Mud/Sand, Baja and Rock Crawl. Baja is the mode you’ll have the most fun with as it dials down the traction and stability control settings while improving the engine response and speeding up the transmission shift times.
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
On top of these modes, the F-150 Raptor will allow drivers to control the traction and stability control systems separately. Thanks to a feature called AdvanceTrac, the driver will be able to reduce traction control but keep stability control. The driver will also be able to turn the AdvanceTrac settings off.
The new F-150 Raptor goes on sale this fall as a 2017 model. It will be available in both standard and 4-door SuperCrew bodystyles. Both will come powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 estimated to deliver about 450 horsepower. The engine will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and power all four wheels.
There will also be a full complement of off-road hardware, including BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, Fox Racing Shox, an available Torsen limited-slip front differential, and the aforementioned drive modes selector.
