SHANGHAI, Nov. 26, 2021 -- Ford announced today the next-generation Ford F-150 Raptor, the most off-road capable and connected high-performance off-road pickup, will officially launch in China next year. Sold through a direct-to-customer sales model, F-150 Raptor will be available for pre-order in China in first quarter 2022 exclusively via the "Ford Pickup Community" channel on WeChat.
“F-150 Raptor is Ford’s off-road icon and has earned a huge fanbase in China. The next-generation F-150 Raptor brings to life our “Pioneering Innovation” brand spirit and delivers the next level of pickup vehicle capability and connectivity for off-road and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts in China." said Chen Anning, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford China.
As America’s truck leader, Ford created an off-road icon in 2009 when it introduced the desert racing-inspired F-150 Raptor. It was designed to not only speed over rough terrain, but also to jump and catch air. The all-new third-generation Ford F-150 Raptor takes the mechanical and technical brilliance and precision of Raptor and infuses it with enhanced connected technology that brings the always-on customer relationships and ever-improving customer experiences to Chinese pickup fans.
King of high-performance off-road pickups
Rooted in Baja 1000 racing, the Ford F-150 Raptor has been the benchmark for performance pick-up trucks since its inception. The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor features a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with a heavy-duty military-grade aluminum alloy and composite body. The distinctive front emphasizes the truck’s width, with a machine-tough look featuring a power dome hood, blacked-out grille and headlights that stretch fender to fender.
New vents on the hood and the top of the fender are inspired by the intakes of a fighter jet. Durable steel front and rear bumpers are built for the rigors of off-roading, while the rear bumper retains the high-clearance design that tucks the dual exhaust tips high up against the truck for an improved rear departure angle.
The all-new Raptor is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine to deliver torque where it counts. It features new high-powered fans integrated into the cooling system to ensure intense off-roading sessions never end too early. The vehicle is also equipped with a Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission and next-generation controls.
The next generation Ford F-150 Raptor adopts an all-new five-link rear suspension system, developed specifically for the Raptor, representing another evolution in off-road capability. To ensure better control of the rear axle when driving off-road, the five-link suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain, a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs – the longest in its class. The suspension design combined with more sophisticated engine management software means the truck can put more torque into the rear wheels for quicker starts off the line, faster acceleration and better responsiveness while simultaneously delivering comfort, stability, handling, control, and traction at speed.
Soaking up landings comes courtesy of next-generation FOX™ Live Valve™ internal bypass shocks with state-of-the-art electronic control technology offering position-sensitive damping adjustability. Readings from suspension height sensors and other sensors around the truck change damping rates independently at each corner 500 times per second, with the shocks responding at the same speed the human brain processes visual information.
In addition, the vehicle will be equipped with TMS (Terrain Management System) with seven selectable drive modes, Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Control, making rock climbing and other extreme road conditions easier to drive. In more challenging off-road environments, intelligent technology is used to empower all-terrain performance.
“Raptor is the original desert truck. We just took it to another level,” said Ali Jammoul, Ford Performance vehicle program director. “The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor splices high-speed off-road performance muscle with advanced technology and connectivity that comes together in a unique Built Ford Tough way.”
All-new F-150 Raptor comes with standard over-the-air updates and a new connected experience that can deliver potential features in the future.
Built Ford Tough luxury performance lifestyle gains traction
As the global pickup truck leader, Ford F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in the United States for 44 consecutive years since 1977. Today, Ford F-150 Raptor is sold in more than 60 countries around the world, providing a global audience with outstanding off-road performance, reliability, and user-friendly design. In China, Ford F-150 has been the top-selling imported pickup truck in its segment for four consecutive years since the local introduction of F-150 Raptor in 2017.
The popularity of Ford’s pickup trucks coincides with the Built Ford Tough pickup culture rapidly gaining popularity in China. Through Ford China’s “Ten Thousand Journeys” pickup campaign, Ford provides a place for owners and fans to experience authentic American pickup truck culture, offering Ford F-150’s powerful performance and sharing a deeper understanding of the Ford pickup truck lifestyle.
The introduction of a next generation Ford F-150 Raptor continues Ford's initiative of bringing iconic global products to China, centered on the diverse needs of Chinese consumers, and is the latest demonstration of Ford’s delivery of its "Best of Ford, Best of China" commitment to customers in the world’s largest car market.
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
