2016 Raptor Mule

Caught: 2016 Ford F-150 Raptor Mule

Quote :

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is one of the most popular trucks of the last five years and probably of the last decade. As soon as the new aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford F-150 was unveiled, almost immediately, speculation started running rampant about a next-generation Raptor. Ford's official response was predictably vague, heaping accolades on the current, outgoing Raptor's popularity, while skillfully avoiding any official confirmation of a next-generation model. But if these spy shots are any indication, it may not be too long until we see a new Raptor in Ford showrooms.

At first glance, it may seem like just a current Raptor Super Crew with some ugly cladding on it. But a closer look at the cab portion of the body distinctly reveals the character lines of the 2015 model. The nose pretty much looks like the current Raptor, but beneath the mesh camo of the grille, we can see the outline of the F-150's traditional vertical-bar grille, and an outline of the blue oval. An additional giveaway is a mismatch of the width of the cab and the bed by several inches.

In terms of what's under the hood, it's anyone's guess. We're fairly certain it won't be the outgoing model's 6.2L SOHC V-8. The new Raptor could get the 3.5L EcoBoost V-6, the 5.0L V-8, or the rumored flat-plane, twin-turbo "Voodoo" V-8 producing as much as 600 hp. While we're not a big fan of the four-cylinder-like exhaust note of flat-plane V-8s, we're a big fan of the major power and high revs they're capable of. It's possible the next-gen Raptor could be shown at this fall's Los Angeles Auto Show or at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Truck Trend

Current Raptors have a single exhaust which exits behind the right rear wheel. There's no visible signs of any exhaust in these shots, but the rear bumper has exhaust notches in it, like some versions of the Ram 1500's. PUTC reported earlier this week about a possible Raptor/ecoboost sighting with dual exhaust.

The more I see of the 2015's look, the less I care for it.

It's nice that it doesn't have all the stickers and decals like the Power Wagon.