Yes, the image above is an illustration created deep within the bowels of the Straightline Photoshop central. That doesn't mean it's not true though.
Riding a wave of surprising popularity with its desert-running, shrubbery-crushing, mail-box-destroying Raptor pickup, the boys at Ford SVT will soon reveal a SuperCrew version, with four full-size doors. To this point, the Raptor has been available in only SuperCab form, the name for the extended-cab with the little demi-doors (yes, Ford's nomenclature for these things is SuperStupid). We expect that the SuperCrew version will go on sale this year for a small price premium over the SuperCab version but to be carry the same suspension and power train goodies.
Anyway, we've seen driving around Dearborn a completely blacked-out Raptor with the with black cladding on it's nose and flanks and a cobbled-up bed cap. It was either the truck in question or is a failed Department of Defense experiment in stealth vehicles. And no, we didn't get our camera phone out quickly enough to capture it. For the record, a Ford PR guy we know said of the vehicle: "We do not comment on future product."
The company has just launched its new 6.2-liter V8 in the Raptor, something that was part of the plan from the beginning of the program. But the near-term availability of second body configuration is unusual for such a specialty product and indicates that the program has been a real, and might we add justified, success.
iver_builder says:
01:02 PM, 04/13/10
LoL! Exclusive?!
You're only 8 months late!
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/09/spied-ford-f150-svt-raptor-supercrew-crew-cab.html
bodyblue says:
01:30 PM, 04/13/10
Again, Ford scores and Chevy is left wondering what happened.
jeepsrt says:
01:43 PM, 04/13/10
My brother just picked up a Raptor, should get here in about a week. Looking forward to seeing what it's like.
f1ndler says:
02:24 PM, 04/13/10
Is that a midget on a picture driving this truck?
bankerdanny says:
02:43 PM, 04/13/10
I think you tested the truck pre 6.2. Are we going to get an test of the new engine?
bankerdanny says:
02:44 PM, 04/13/10
f1ndler: Maybe Josh was driving. Did you watch the video of him doing the burnouts? It looked like the seat was all the way forward.
smilez says:
03:52 PM, 04/13/10
bailey6954 -
Welcome to the forum. Insightful stuff my friend. Is this where you tell us your Samurai could dust this thing off road?
jederino says:
03:58 PM, 04/13/10
I am not into trucks, but this could make me a believer. Fantastic offering. Ford is on a roll with some of the best and most unique offerings. I'm a fan. And, we just got a 2010 Fusion for my wife. The Fusion is perhaps the best value out there right now with current incentives and reliability history. Loaded with sport package and in red. She likey.
iver_builder says:
04:03 PM, 04/13/10
Who let the Jalopnik kid in here?
jstandefer says:
04:07 PM, 04/13/10
"...yes, Ford's nomenclature for these things is SuperStupid..."
Now, now. The SuperCab debuted on the 1974 F100 pickup, and as one of the first full size pickups to get an extended cab option (Dodge was first with their 1973 Club Cab), it was "super." It may not sound great today now that full four door pickups are common, but why mess with success? It's a name that's been affixed to the best-selling vehicle for 32 years. Even when I was selling Dodge and Mazda pickups, many buyers would refer to those extended cab trucks as SuperCabs. You want stupid? Ask Mazda how I was supposed to sell their B4000 Troy Lee Design CabPlus+4 4x4 (a flamed up version of a Ranger SuperCab 4x4)? See, SuperCab doesn't sound that bad any more...
calspecial68 says:
05:11 PM, 04/13/10
How come i never hear of any other future applications of the 6.2 liter? Is there even any to speak of?
Surely Ford has not developed this new engine just for this (amazing) one-trick pony. The sales won't justify it.
bowser128 says:
05:57 PM, 04/13/10
On Ford Vs. Chevy. If Chevy built a truck like this it'd be a copycat.. last i heard Ford had no answer to the ZR1..the Z06.. or, really, the C6. Raptor's a cool truck, but hardly a high volume seller. Just proves what's possible today. And we're left thinking... if only the car/truck guys built what they REALLY wanted to...
atvman29 says:
06:12 PM, 04/13/10
These trucks are one of the best deals on the market. I'm a GM guy, but I would take a Raptor over any GM truck offering.
I had my dad come with to the Auto Show with me this year and he guessed the price of the Raptor to be $75,000. He was floored when it said ~$40,000 on the sticker. You can barely get a decently equipped Tahoe for that money.
bailey6954 says:
07:42 PM, 04/13/10
I'm GM all the way! I'd take a diesel LUV truck over that Raptor! ( Not really). The ZR1 and Z06 were never ment to be high volume sellers. I mean they cost wayyy to much money! Hats off to Ford for building a truck like the Raptor but they won't sell alot of them,which may be a good thing if you want to have a truck you don't see alot of. If GM builds a truck to compete against the Ford (Which I don't think they will) I hope they drop a Duramax in it. I'd like to see some diesel half tons from GM, or Ford and Dodge for that matter. As much as I love my SS Trailblazer I'd love to have a diesel truck or SUV.
zoomzoomn says:
05:45 AM, 04/14/10
I don't know just how practical this truck is, but especially now that it has the new 6.2L V8 it IS testosterone on wheels! Cool truck!!!
zoomzoomn says:
07:04 AM, 04/14/10
jstandefer says: 04:07 PM, 04/13/10
"it was "super." "
I don't know how "super it really was! the first ones had a tiny, low bench with a foam band higher up. Even as the kid that I was at the time I remember how awkwardly uncomfortable it was back there. The Dodge had jump seats that were so-so...for kids. Datsun's first "King Cab" was jump seats in a VERY small package. Oh, how far we have come!
iskch says:
11:36 AM, 04/14/10
Little by little they will extend the range. Next, a long bed because the big tool box takes space and you can't load the ATV!
dino6 says:
01:20 PM, 04/14/10
calspecial68, the 6.2 is the standard V-8 engine on the 2011 F-250/350, and will become an option on the 2012 F-150, maybe replacing the 5.4 or just being added to the entire lineup, so it will be a high volume engine. Which means aftermarket mods will be aplenty for those so inclined.
jstandefer, you are absolutely correct. Which means the IL writer of this article must be 12 years old.
shahulx says:
02:01 PM, 04/14/10
I want one... 4 doors and I can sell it as a family car on the weekdays and disappear one weekends... hope the mud and dirt wont give it away lol
smilez says:
12:28 PM, 04/21/10
I absolutely love this truck. I had an '06 FX4 Supercrew and loved it, except for:
It had the worst top-end V8 of the full sized trucks, accompanied by about the worst mileage.
I don't do desert running, so I'd probably just wait for the '12 models.
I think they have the classiest interiors. Very comfortable, and soon with the 6.2. An awesome combination in my opinion.
stlaurent says:
06:20 PM, 04/24/10
Ford only brought something to market when Dodge finally ended its reign as number one sport truck. Even when they compared the last match-up on the track with the SRT10 Viper truck and the SVT, it was clearly a Dodge win. I expected with Roush tuning, it would be a winner but its seem, they cut corners and noting after the fact, safety issues with rollovers, it would hard to press even to purchase a used one without adding extra money to fix the many problems.
Chevy? The last SS was a complete joke.... :)
What is expected for future contenders? Chevy? Possibility but not likely...SRT? There is still something lurking in the wind with the latest 6.4ltr beast [manufacture version seen on the streets around Detroit] that will be shown in November...too bad Ford. But nice try.
smilez says:
08:35 AM, 04/26/10
@stlaurent -
They stopped making the SRT10 back in '04!
"Nice try"? There's no truck that can compare to what this can do, for it's intended purpose.
With the 6.2, it's going to be even better.
"Safety issues with rollovers"? Have you read anything about vehicles in the past 5 years? Do you want to throw me some stats on rollovers for the Raptor, or the F-150 in general?
"Cut corners"? Have you looked at the interior?
I just don't know where to go with what you've brought to this post...