The 2017 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is improved in a variety of ways including the 450 horsepower 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the lightweight aluminum body, the new exterior design, the new four wheel drive system and the new 10-speed automatic transmission – one which was designed in conjunction with General Motors.
Some people continue to question Ford’s use of aluminum for the body of the new F-150, but others are questioning Ford’s decision to launch the new 10-speed automatic transmission in such a high profile, high performance pickup.
Ford has had some PR issues in the past few years, particularly with new transmissions, and the 10-speed gearbox in the 2017 F-150 Raptor is totally new. This brand new transmission is being introduced in a vehicle that is likely to get the most abuse from the owners, so if there are any problems with the new Raptor transmission, it would be a huge black eye for Ford.
Now, there is a good chance that the launch of the 10-speed transmission will go off without a hitch and the 2017 F-150 Raptor will be as awesome as we all hope – but there is no question that this transmission will be put to the ultimate test from day one.
With that in mind, do you think that Ford made a good decision introducing the new 10-speed transmission in the F-150 Raptor? Click here to head into the forum to share your thoughts!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
