Off-Road Warrior 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Available This Fall

WESTLAND, Mich.––Ford has recently reported sales that show more adventurous and thrill-seeking buyers are flocking to Ford's performance lineup. Globally, Ford will sell more than 200,000 performance cars in 2016, which is about twice what performance sales were three years ago. Coming to the lineup is the new off-road warrior, 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor, available this fall. The newest Raptor pickup truck model is ready to show off with many improvements to off-road performance, fuel economy, and power overall.

The new 2017 Raptor is coming with a stunning 450 Hp, Ford just announced, and a powerful 510 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 model will weigh in at 500 lbs less than the 2014 model. This is thanks to the same aluminum alloy body and high-strength steel frame you'll see in standard F-150s. The new weight and body will also be paired with a high-output 10-speed transmission and EcoBoost engine, which leads to:

21% improvement in average torque-to-weight ratio. 

You'll find better optimized power bands and lower RPM torque thanks to the 10-speed transmission and torque on-demand transfer case.  

23% improvement in EPA-estimated fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is 15 city/18 highway/16 combined mpg, although your use of the truck will create varied actual mileage. 

“The torque-on-demand transfer case and six-mode Terrain Management System is unique to Raptor in the Ford family of vehicles,” Tranter said. “It gives you the benefit of a clutched all-wheel-drive system for easy around-town maneuverability in bad weather. Then, there’s Baja Mode, which automatically engages a mechanically locked 4X4 high, and optimizes throttle response, shifting and boost control to provide improved off-road capability. That’s definitely drawing a line in the sand.”

We can't forget to mention the addition of driving modes to fit whatever road in whatever condition. The modes include Baja, rock/crawl, sport, weather, mud/sand, and normal. The trucks adaptive shift technology works to ensure the right gear is enabled at the right time for a more engaged driving experience. The reduced weight lends to better shifting function overall. 

The off-road warrior, 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will be available this fall, but you can test out all the F-150 has to offer by taking a test drive at our dealership. We have a wide range of 2016 Ford F-150s to choose from with different packages and trim levels to suit your needs. Whatever you're looking for, we'd be happy to help you find it! Not sure whether you should buy or lease your next vehicle? Use our Buying Vs. Leasing guide for reference, and let us know if you have any questions.

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 855-739-2023, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

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2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Comes With the Most Capable Tires Yet

WESTLAND, Mich.–– The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor has already proven to be one of the most capable products in Ford's lineup with its list of amazing new features. This new Raptor truck will take you from the road to the sandy desert to the rockiest terrain and back. Earlier this year Ford released a very close to stock 2017 Raptor to race in the Best in the Desert off-road series in the new factory stock class to show just what this truck can do. There's just one more stock feature unique to this truck that makes it one step ahead of its competition. The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor comes with the most capable tires yet, the BFGoodrich all-terrain T/A KO2 tires.

This special set of tires were used with the Best in the Desert 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. The all-terrain tires were developed in-line with the trucks chassis meant to make the ride more comfortable and to improve on and off road performance. The T/A KO2 tires feature a racing cut with a "chip-and-tear-resistant" tread compound. The Ford and BFGoodrich engineers who worked on these tires went through a dozen versions before they decided on the final to match the performance of the Raptor.

The tires were put through hundreds of hours of simulations to see how they would react in real life situations. The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor comes with an all-new terrain management system which includes six driving modes including: Normal for everyday driving, Weather mode for snow/rain/ice, Mud and Sand mode for trails and terrain, Baja mode for desert running, Street mode for performance on-road driving, and Rock mode for low-speed rock crawling.

Ford is all about innovation and offering its customers best performance options through specialized stock parts. In fact, Ford is working with Michelin to make tires for its entire performance lineup including the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Ford Focus RS, and the Ford GT supercar. Not only does Ford focus on the feature offerings for its performance lineup but its regular and fleet lineups too to make its customers lives more convenient. Whether you want something that can take you off-road like the Ford F-150 Raptor or an everyday vehicle with capability and space like the Ford Escape, Ford's got it. 

At North Brothers Ford we can help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs and budget. You can conveniently schedule a test-drive online on any of our vehicles. Not sure whether you should buy or lease? We've developed a Buying vs. Leasing comparison guide plus a detailed break-down of the process on each option that you can check out on our How to Buy and How to Lease pages. If you already have a vehicle and want to keep it looking and running its best, make sure to check out our Routine Maintenance and Seasonal Maintenance pages on our website for tips and information. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 855-739-2023, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

Off-Road Modified 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

WESTLAND, Mich.–– The 2016 Best in the Desert off-road racing series will see a beastly Raptor on its course this year. Starring in the new factory class stock in the series is the off-road modified 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford Performance has a history with racing and is an automotive sponsor of off-road racing in the U.S. Ford's performance vehicles are familiar with competing. The Focus races in Rallycross, the Fiesta competes in the World Rally Championship, the Mustang CobraJet sprints in NHRA sportsman drag racing, the Shelby GT350R-C Mustang competes in IMSA, the Ford GT races in IMSA and the World Endurance Championship international sports cars, and the Fusion/Mustang/and F-Series that appear in NASCAR.

“The all-new Raptor has the DNA of a Baja race truck, with a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension that enables it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Performance. Being built with these features makes the Ford F-150 Raptor an amazing contender for the Best in the Desert prize. This race will also serve as a platform to highlight and showcase the true capability of this tough terrain king. 

The Ford F-150 Raptor will feature 3.5L EcoBoost, 10-speed transmission, torque-on-demand transfer case engine production platform. This engine produces more efficiency and is rated at 411-horsepower and 434-pound-foot of torque. The new transfer case will help the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels plus the on-demand all-wheel drive sends power to the wheels when it's needed the most.

This racing truck uses the same capability as production Raptors including the first-ever dual exhaust, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires, and the Torsen front differential for elevating off-road performance and boosting grip for the front end, which will come in handy in the race. Straight off the production line, the Ford F-150 Raptor is ready to take on the challenge of rocky desert terrain

Even with the incredible capability the stock features offer, the off-road modified Ford F-150 Raptor has some racing specific features which include:

• A higher-strength steel fully boxed frame for a stronger backbone
• A custom fabricated roll cage
• Three-inch diameter external-bypass front and rear Fox Racing Shox 
• Front and rear springs that raise the ride height for more ground clearance and better compression handling for the extreme course
• MasterCraft seats with five-point harness safety belts
• Window nets
• Racing fuel cell
• LED light bars 
• Lowrance GPS
• RacePak digital dash and data logger

The stock Terrain Management System is a new feature that allows the driver to select modes including: normal for everyday driving, street mode for higher performance on-road driving, weather mode for rain/snow/ice, mud and sand mode for muddy/sandy terrain, baja mode for high-speed desert driving, and rock mode for low-speed rock crawling. 

You can catch this off-road modified 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor at racing events throughout this year. Dates include: Feb. 4-7 in Arizona at the Parker 425, March 10-14 in Las Vegas at the Mint 400, May 5 in Nevada at the Laughlin Desert Classic, Aug. 17-20 in Nevada at the Vegas to Reno, Sept 10-Oct.6 in Arizona for the Blue Water Challenge, and Dec. 1-4 in Nevada at the Pahrump Nugget 250. 

If lower to the ground, on-road racing interests you more, we recommend checking out the 2016 Mustang Models you'll want to know. Not to mention, North Brothers Ford is the place for the ultimate Roush experience. 

We know performance models aren't interesting to everyone, but the 2016 Ford lineup is something that cannot go unmentioned! The new 2016 Ford Fusion and 2016 Ford Focus both have some edgier looks and offer a more responsive and fun drive, with great gas mileage to boot. Come out for a test drive, we'd love to help you find the perfect car! Plus if eligible, you can get out of your Ford lease up to 3 months early with our early bird lease turn-in program. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Is a Vicious Trail Monster

WESTLAND, Mich. – Since its inception, the Ford Raptor has torn its competition to pieces with incredible off-roading capabilities, speed, and sharp looks, but the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor might double that damage. After checking out some trail testing videos, the only way to describe the latest edition of Ford Motor Co.’s most intimidating truck is that the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is a vicious trail monster.

Ford spent time testing a new prototype of the truck – made of components from the 2015 F-150 and the 2017 Raptor – and conquered some of the toughest trails in Northern Michigan. What makes the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor a vicious trail monster begins with its ability to roar over seemingly insurmountable hills, ruts, and other obstructions that tend to be difficult for other pickups.

The 2017 F-150 Raptor is better equipped for rough terrain thanks to its heightened ground clearance, increased from the previous-generation Raptor, plus 3.0-inch FOX Racing Shox with custom internal bypass technology. According to Ford, the shock absorption technology dampens and strengthens suspension travel over sketchy terrain.

In addition, the 2017 F-150 Raptor bulldozes over tough landscapes with an all-new four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand transfer case. The Transfer case handles power dispersion throughout the front and rear wheels, and blends hallmarks of clutch-driven, on-demand all-wheel drive with mechanical-locking four-wheel drive.

If you're imagining yourself stampeding over unforgiving terrain in the 2017 F-150 Raptor, you only need to hold out a little longer. You can test-drive the all-new pickup in fall 2016. Until then, stop in at our used car dealership serving Garden City, MI, where we have plenty of new Ford trucks and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles! 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by, or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbros.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+