Chunkier 2017 F-150 Raptor More Powerful Than Ever? Ford’s Next Gen Truck Driven By EcoBoost V6 rated At 450 Hp

Ford revealed a chunkier 4x4 at the Detroit Auto Show. But the 2017 F-150 Raptor is said to be more powerful than its predecessor.

Fourwheeler.com noted that Ford replaced its 6.2-liter V-8 that pumped out 411hp and 434 lb-ft of torque with 3.5-liter EcoBoost  V6 rated at 450 Hp for the company's next generation truck.

Ford Global Product Development vice president Raj Nair informed the public about the new Raptor's turbocharged engine at the "Rolex 24 at Daytona" last month.

"The Development we're doing here in racing we're taking right back into the production car, so a lot of what we learned we're putting back into the F-150 Raptor getting 450 hp...this same engine is going to go in our Ford GT at over 600 hp. So it's straight from production to racing, back to production," Nair said.

Fox News reported this powerful engine is said to be linked to the company's first 10-speed automatic transmission which will sooner or later be added to the F-150 line up.

Aside from becoming faster, the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor also altered its exterior design. Fox News recounted Ford's plan in keeping its "wide-style body" bearing the giant octagonal "FORD" emblem in the grille. It is reported that the truck's body will be six inches wider than the preceding F-150.

Ford's latest pickup truck also features an electronic terrain management system. Motor Authority said that it includes Normal, Street, Weather, Mud, Baja, and Rock mode that is said to "alter vehicle parameters under different conditions." This system is teamed with larger Fox Racing shocks for more suspension travel.

Another essential modification is the new body shell made from aluminium instead of steel. The American automaker said it weighs 227 kg less than the old Raptor.

Interested buyers needed to wait until fall of 2016 to avail of a 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor.