Definately No Dinosaur: 2010 SVT F-150 Raptor

Desperate times call for desperate measures; Ford's SVT (special vehicle team) is ready to meet those needs in case of nuclear fallout, aliens, or flesh eating zombies. The 2010 SVT Raptor is a limited production (only 1500 in 2010) Baja Style pickup that looks like a cable company truck jacked up on steroids. The SVT Raptor was created to take mudding and driving across hills in the desert to a whole new level. From road tests with professional drivers, the SVT Raptor has taken a beating; driving through the desert going over 2 to 3 foot ditches at its 100mph top speed limiter. The engineers at SVT went to great lengths to ensure that the SVT Raptor could not be broken by the common man. The SVT Raptor was designed and built by SVT with very few options; such as it only comes in super cab format. The only known options are the color (black, white, and blue base colors; anything else is going to cost you) and a brand new 6.2 liter Triton V8 that produces 400 horsepower and 400ftlbs of torque; this engine will be an available option soon after the launch of the SVT Raptor later this year. For now consumers will be saddled with 310 horsepower and 365ftlbs of torque, via the 5.4 liter, 24 valve SOHC V8. The straight line acceleration of the SVT Raptor isn't too impressive; only achieving 60 mph from a stand still in 8 seconds flat. On asphalt it also has poor performance before it breaks loose, only scoring a 0.67g rating in the lateral skid pad test. However, that's not what the SVT Raptor is designed for; it's hard to judge a vehicle by contemporary standards when it doesn't fit the mold in the lot. The SVT Raptor is designed to climb over rocks and up hills; it's meant to spring off sand dunes at 80 mph. SVT knows this, so they conducted a special test of their own; a 62 mile durability test loop in the desert sands of Borrego, California to recreate the conditions of the Baja 1000 off road racing event. This was to ensure that all of the performance suspension components, brakes, and engine could take a repetitive beating. It is unlikely that consumers that are purchasing the SVT Raptor will be driving it around their towns for window shopping purposes; this thing is a gas guzzler with only 13mpg! It's most likely going to be used on back woods country hunting trails and by motocross enthusiasts that are going to the dunes to have some fun.

The SVT Raptor rolls on 35 inch BF Goodrich All Terrain three ply treads which are a meaty 315/70/17, it utilizes 17 inch cast aluminum wheels that are designed specifically to absorb shock from sharp rocks or anything else the SVT Raptor may encounter at high speed. The SVT Raptor easily navigates rocks and ditches at high speeds thanks in part to its wide array of SVT suspension modifications such as: Longer and lower front control arms which allows 11.2 inches of travel up and down (12.1 in the rear of the vehicle), and Fox big piston racing shocks for quick and effortless dampening. With these mods the SVT Raptor never "bottom's out" no matter what the speed and reasonable incline drop. The SVT Raptor's shocks by Fox are actually the industries first internal bypass shock, this allows for a smooth ride and a design that is best suited for off road. On the street the suspension feels a little soggy with a great amount of body sway when braking or turning. So, what do you get for $46,000? You get a modern Baja Racer with all the creature comforts of a new vehicle and a truck that all of your friends will be jealous of.

source:
http://www.insideline.com/ford/f-150/2010/2010-ford-f-150-svt-raptor-first-look.html
http://jalopnik.com/5075561/2010-ford-f+150-svt-raptor-first-ride