Ford F-150 Raptor super-truck unleashed

Ford has released details and pictures of the new Ford F-150 Raptor that's based on the US car-maker's 14th-generation pick-up truck.

The headline news is that the third instalment of the Raptor franchise based on the Ford F-150 is more connected than ever before, but more important to buyers of the super pick-up is that engineers have ramped-up its ability in the dirt and made it even better at jumping and, crucially, landing.

From launch, the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor will once again come with the car-maker's twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 that will produce around 340kW.

But, from 2022, US buyers will have the choice of an even more powerful Raptor R that's set to get a supercharged V8 from the epic Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that could raise its output to an incredible 560kW-plus.

New design features for the F-150 Raptor include what Ford describes as "fighter-jet" styling, with the introduction of a large power dome bonnet, blacked-out grille and headlights that feature a light bar along the leading edge of the bonnet.

Other changes include new air extractors on the wider front fenders, steel front and rear bumpers, dual exhaust tips, and a jacked-up ride height.

As standard, the Ford F-150 Raptor gets an electronic locking rear differential with a Torsen limited-slip diff available at extra cost for the front axle.

Despite appearing more of a facelift than an all-new truck, like the rest of the F-150 range Ford claims that 92 per cent of all its parts have been redesigned – and that includes the EcoBoost V6.

The 3.5-litre unit now features new turbos, a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio, an uprated cooling system and a new equal-length active exhaust that's claimed to sound better in the 'Sport' and 'Baja' engine modes.

There's also a new 160-litre fuel tank that's claimed to provide for a cruising range of more than 800km.

Ensuring owners never get stuck off-road, there's a new Terrain Management System with seven driving settings. These include tow, rock crawl, Off Road and slippery modes that pre-arm the all-wheel drive, throttle sensitivity, dampers and transmission for the conditions.

An optional 360-degree camera package should also help avoid a nasty scrape or two out in the bush.

Inside, there's a massive 12-inch central touch-screen, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with unique graphics, not to mention sports leather seats

Available with either 35- or 37-inch tyres, the F-150 Raptor offers up to 333mm ground clearance. Helping it cope with high-speed off-road antics beloved of most Raptor owners, Ford engineers have beefed up the F-150's ladder-frame chassis, adding numerous reinforcements to ensure it can endure the extra forces.

There's also a new five-link rear suspension with longer trailing arms, plus long-travel 24-inch coil springs to cushion the impact of a huge jump.

Like before, there's Fox active dampers, but for 2021 they're larger and retuned for better comfort on- and off-road.

The Ford F-150 Raptor will be offered in Australia via independent conversion companies, but Ford Australia has made no moves to mount a fresh assault on the increasingly popular full-size pick-up segment.