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The Ford F-150 Raptor started a muscle truck trend that is still going strong today, with competitors like the Ram TRX later on. Although the smaller Ford Ranger also received the Raptor treatment, the badge never graced a Super Duty model. However, that may change one day.
In an interview with Ford Authority, Super Duty manager Aaron Bresky says there’s no reason why a Super Duty Raptor can’t happen. “There’s no limiting it as far as I’m concerned, and we always listen to our customers,” Bresky said.
The 2023 Ford Super Duty Tremor is the most focused off-road performance model of the big truck today. It uses larger 35-inch wheels, suspension upgrades, and a winch as a factory option. The Tremor name is also present in the F-150 and Ranger lineups, where it sits below the Raptor. Ford also makes a Tremor off-road package for the Maverick as well. Bresky indicated that if customers want more than Tremor’s current Super Duty offering, that’s something Ford could explore.
A Super Duty Raptor would be an interesting vehicle. It would do well to have more power than other models in the range to live up to the name. It could feature an uprated version of the 7.3-liter Godzilla V8. Alternatively, it could use a smaller engine in a higher state of tune, or even go for forced induction. Fox’s advanced shocks and suspension will be a shoo-in to provide more travel and control over rough terrain. Naturally, locking differentials will be a key part of the offering, too.
The challenge in building the Super Duty Raptor was finding a way to make it make sense. The Super Duty, more than the F-150, is a performance vehicle. Whether that’s towing big trailers or hauling big loads, the Super Duty has it made. Building a truck that can handle that while also focusing on off-road performance driving is a tall order. In particular, it will come down to decisions like the choice of rear coil or leaf spring, which will determine whether outright handling or towing ability is the focus.
At this stage, it appears that the Super Duty Raptor is just a thought bubble. If the statements from Bresky tell us anything, however, Ford engineers aren’t afraid to have fun with the Super Duty platform if the opportunity arises.
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