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The trade value is a big issue if Ford really brings something big. The market will be flooded with older models and likely a drop in value. Over at Blue Oval, they're saying that Raptor demand has leveled off. Part of the reason for so many available below MSRP. If Ford confirms any of this, sales are likely to fall even more.
I drive a vehicle that breaks traction on dry pavement in 4th gear under wot. Will do rolling burnouts all day long. Yet, somehow, against apparently all odds, the tires don't just melt under the sheer terror of being mounted on it. Turns out I get to choose their fate with my right foot. 700 at the crank in a raptor would probably be 600 at the wheels. Add the overall weight of the truck and what you have is a fun to drive vehicle, that sounds great, with a good suspension. Sounds like something worth over $75k to me.This is how the conversation went down at Ford HQ
Marketing: Our focus groups tell us they are switching to Ram unless we put a 700-hp supercharged V8 in the Raptor.
Engineering: Do you realize that will melt the KO2s?
Marketing: Can't you find tires that won't melt?
Engineering: I suppose we could put high-performance street tires on the Raptor.....
Marketing: Great!
Engineering: But if we do that, the Raptor's brakes are barely adequate as they are and will be downright dangerous on a faster truck.
Marketing: Then put stronger brakes on the Raptor.
Engineering: Easier said than done. The 17" rims are too small for more powerful brakes and we'd need to go up to 20" rims.
Marketing: So what's the problem?
Engineering: Well......between the high-performance street tires and larger brakes, the high center of gravity is going to be an issue.
Marketing: That's easy, just lower the tuck!
Engineering: Okay, but if we do that, we'll have less travel, so we will need to stiffen the suspension.
Marketing: Anything else?
Engineering: Nope. Nothing could possibly go wrong with a truck designed from ideas out of the marketing department and focus group...
Marketing: Great. BTW, it would mean a lot if we could get this thing do the quarter mile in 11 seconds.
Engineering: Sure, why the hell not. All we need to do is strip off the skid plates and all the other bits that make this an offroad truck. And while we're at it, might as well downsize the 35s to 33s too. Actually, make that 31s. Smaller is faster you know...
Marketing: Awesome, you're the best.
Engineering: At this point, you realize this is no longer a Raptor and it looks a lot like street-focused Lightning?
Marketing: I just had a great idea, we should call this the Raptor Lightning. Or should it be the Lightning Raptor? Hmmmmm, I better go ask the focus group.
Engineering: [hitting self on the forehead]
