Every show needs a camera car, right? Well here it is, Matt’s new Ford SVT Raptor 6.2L. Back on the old show, Matt said that his next car purchase would be a Ford SVT Raptor. True to his word, the new 6.2L beast is now at its permanent home here at The Smoking Tire HQ. Expect the truck to appear on video soon…. Initial impressions and photo gallery after the jump.
Initial impressions:
- The 6.2L , 411 hp/ 434 tq engine has tons more power and torque than the 5.4L does. I got a ride in one back in January and didn’t notice much as a passenger, but as a driver, you can really feel the lower torque band working around town
- The re-calibrated transmission is worlds better than before. It doesn’t hunt for gears as much, and allows for some in-gear acceleration before kicking down a gear to pass. The extra torque really helps with this too.
- The truck is deceptively quick. It doesn’t feel fast while driving it because of the very high driving position, but 90 feels like 45, and 35 feels like crawling. This is also partly to do with the great suspension.
- The newest version of SYNC is fantastic. The voice-recognition is spot-on and reaffirms our position that this is the best multimedia system available in any production car.
We will keep you posted in our “Raptor Diaries” as we put some real miles on this bad-boy. For now, enjoy the photos!
Congrats!!! Keep it upright!
Great buy! Good luck with it.
Awesome purchase Matt. What are your MPG's and how quick is acceleration? I am thinking about buying one and trading in my Duramax Diesel. The ability to jump off road (literally) from the showroom floor is just mind boggling.
0-60 in 7 seconds, in the first 150 miles of driving i'm getting 11.5, but lots of that in urban LA and traffic.
Does he still have the Corvette? At least the Raptor can get out of his driveway without a makeshift ramp.
Yes, the Corvette is in the "never sell" category.
Congrats!!
I love these trucks, glad to hear you got the 6.2L as well
Well at least they can't accuse you of being impractical now eh Matt..
The neightbour across the street, what kind of bike does he ride? Looked like a 2002-2003 Yamaha R6 or R1, am I right?
it's an R6, don't know what year.
WOW! Veeeerrryyy cool, Does ford have any plans to build a crew cab version? If so, im in!
Yahh, I know, little longer wheelbase etc, but the practicality would be worth it.
Ford announced a few weeks ago that they would be offering the Raptor in a SuperCrew configuration.
Hey Matt,
If you did not own a truck what kind of sports car would drive instead? I am thinking I'd rahter have another sports car. Ik now I must be the only guy out there. But, anyway what would it be and why?
I already own two other sports cars: a 1998 Corvette with lots of mods, and a 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish.
Vanquish. I dont think there is a more obvious speculative opportunity out there. Anyways, nice call on the Raptor, I remember going to the local ford dealership my senior year in high school and somehow I finagled the keys to an SVT Lightning. Smoking Tires.
Nice man step Matt.
Wanted this truck since it came out, its like badass of the Ram SRT-10 with the function and capability of Baja truck/ Crawler rolled into one. Nice choice, tha'ts a pretty sick garage you got.
Matt you need to do an episode of all your personal cars. I for one would love to see that.
Yeah that would be so cool !
That is a cool truck !
I love ford's design on the front end. It gives it much more of a meatier look. Congrats!!
Dude I want that truck, But in blue or black. But awsome chose Matt.
These trucks are awesome, I'm jealous. Big, fast, and nice, what more could you want?! I love the interior on these too, can't wait 'til I can afford one.
dude, what of the tires? did svt say that they put them on for the speed rating or cost? thinking of putting some toyo open country mt's on one. any good mileage out of those bfg's? average fuel econ?
the tires are great, as far as I've experienced. They highlight the dual purpose nature of the truck, totally capable on the dirt under pretty much any situation, and yet very quiet on the street with almost no discernible tire noise. I don't know anyone with a Raptor who has put different tires on it yet, and I don't know how much they even cost. I get about 13.5 mpg highway, and around 10.5 in town, which is total shit, but it's a 6.2L truck with big ass tires on it, so what do you expect.
SVT Raptor has become one of the important pickup model. The performance cabin and the power is really amazing.