2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Wins Popular Mechanics’ Pickup Truck of the Year
Ford’s adrenaline-fueled (disclaimer: the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is not actually fueled by adrenaline; like other trucks, it is fueled by petrol) Ford F-150 Raptor was named the “Pickup Truck of the Year” by Popular Mechanics this week in the 2017 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence awards. The F-150 Raptor was determined to be the “vehicle that transcends the competition” by PopMech’s editors, thanks in no small part to its high-output EcoBoost engine, innovative body construction, and impressive off-road abilities.
“We have only nine categories covering the entire car market, so by design, winning isn’t easy,” said Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics automotive editor. “The Raptor is to a standard F-150 what Bruce Banner is to the Incredible Hulk. You can do 60 mph across terrain that would have most trucks smashing their oil pans at 30.”
Related Research: 2017 Ford F-150 trims and features
If Dyer’s word is to be believed, the Ford F-150 Raptor is a truck that was jettisoned to another planet, became the champion of a gladiatorial combat spectacle beheld by the its people, and wound up fighting fellow Avenger Thor. (Disclaimer: I watched the Thor: Ragnarok trailer like maybe 20 times, sorry not sorry.) Then again, knowing what the F-150 Raptor is capable of, that’s pretty believable.
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is offered with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that puts down 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic. Ford’s first-of-its-kind Terrain Management System™ provides ultimate control on even the most rugged surfaces, yet the new Raptor is a quarter-ton lighter than the previous model thanks to the use of military-grade aluminum-alloy in the body.
More Ford Awards: 2017 Fusion named MotorWeek’s top family sedan
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