2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Gets New Suspension & Upgraded Tech

It is foolish to mess with a proven formula. When Ford bolted on a twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to the second-generation Raptor, hardcore off-roaders were dismayed.

But when critics found out the motor churns out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft. of torque, the new Raptor was welcomed with open arms. The new power plant produced 40 more horsepower and more torque than the heavier 6.2-liter V8.

Change is inevitable. In this case, the changes were for the better.

For 2019, Ford is upping the ante once again by giving the 2019 F-150 Raptor an all-new adaptive suspension along with a host of comfort features and clever tech.

Shock & Awe

Further cementing its status as the ultimate high-performance off-road truck, the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with electronically-controlled Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with LIVE Valve Technology. The 2019 Raptor also comes with a new Trail Control System, which is cruise control designed for low-speed and rugged terrain.

“Raptor’s success is rooted in its incredible suspension, superb vehicle control, and the confidence the truck instills in its owners,” said Hermann Salenbauch, Global Director, Ford Performance Vehicle Programs. “Upgrades to the 2019 F-150 Raptor have improved all three to new levels that the competition will have to benchmark – again.”

Ford worked closely with Fox to further hone the existing internal bypass shock absorbers. The result is an electronically-controlled Live Valve Technology that continuously adjusts damping in real-time. The system utilizes sensors in the suspension and body to maximize comfort, all-terrain handling, and bottom-out resistance.

“By automatically varying compression rates, Raptor can now make the most of its suspension travel of 13 inches at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear,” Salenbauch said.

2019 Ford F-150 Raptor with Fox 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with Live Valve technology. Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Hang Time

Have you ever heard of a suspension that automatically adjusts the damper settings when the vehicle is in midair?

“The 2019 Raptor is not just more capable off-road. It’s smarter,” Salenbauch continued. “Not many trucks need sensors to detect when you are midair. Raptor sets the dampers to full stiffness to help smooth shock performance as the truck lands.”

This may sound a bit silly, but the current F-150 Raptor is one of the most refined vehicles you can buy today. The upgraded Fox Live Valve suspension enables the Raptor to achieve new heights in all-terrain versatility and performance. When paired with the Raptor’s Terrain Management System, the Live Valve Suspension Technology will confidently traverse even the most unforgiving terrain at high-speed, while still retaining a smooth on-road performance.

Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Off-Road Cruise Control

The 2019 F-150 Raptor is also equipped with a new Trail Control system. It can automatically adjust and send power and braking force to each individual wheel. The system can be activated at speeds from 1 mph up to 20 mph depending on the driveline position.

Trail Control can feed engine torque to the driving wheels so you can easily climb over steep obstacles. The system can also brake each wheel individually, so the Raptor comes down smoothly on the other side of whatever you are climbing. It is a fool-proof system that allows you to focus on steering over rugged terrain.

Photo: Ford Motor Company.

Hold Me Tight

Also new for the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor are Recaro sport seats. The seats are designed to offer aggressive support and substantial bolstering to smoothen those nasty kidney shots over rugged, uneven terrain. Available seat designs include blue Alcantara inserts and accent stitching inspired by the interior of the bonkers Ford GT supercar.

Pricing & Availability

The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is all yours by late 2018, and comes in three new colors: Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue, and Agate Black.

The upgraded 2019 F-150 Raptor will be built at the Dearborn Truck Plant. Ford has not disclosed pricing at this time.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 

2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Gallery

Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company.

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Getting Personal: The KTM Max Hazan Built For Himself

There’s a definite style to a Hazan Motorworks bike: a hint of steampunk, lots of beautifully twisted and burnished metal, and impossibly elegant proportions. It’s an expensive endeavor, and Max operates in the same rarified atmosphere as Ian Barry of Falcon and the Japanese moto-artist Chicara Nagata.

Luckily, there are collectors and museums that have the funds to commission bikes like this, so the rest of us can enjoy them vicariously. But what happens when Max builds a bike for himself, with his own money?

This KTM is the answer. It’s a far cry from his previous KTM build, the supercharged 520 that now resides in the Haas Motorcycle Gallery in Dallas. But it’s a killer track machine, and just the thing Max needs when he wants to blow off steam.

“I’ve always wanted to build a liter-powered supermoto, and the KTM LC8 provided the perfect platform,” Max tells us. “The engine layout is a ‘V’ as opposed to the many L-twins out there, which lent itself well to this project.”

“Also, with the LC8 being a dry-sump motor, I was able to make a 1000cc supermoto that looks and feels like a 450—until you twist the throttle.”

Surprisingly, ‘950SMR’ is the first bike that Max has built for himself. So it was done in the down time between the projects that pay his bills. (“I completely lost track of how much time went into it.”)

The base is a 2005-spec 950 SM. It’s a tall bike—which suits Max’s lofty physique—with around 98 horsepower in stock trim, 17-inch wheels, and a dry weight of just 191 kilos (421 pounds). Contemporary road testers raved about the performance and fun factor.

“It’s possibly the ugliest bike KTM made with that motor,” Max admits. “But the bones were there. The KTM was carbureted from the factory, which let me simplify the design by avoiding EFI parts.”

Stylistically, it’s no flight of fancy: just a well-sorted bike with terrifically simple bodywork and a sophisticated warm grey and white paint scheme. “I wanted the bike to look ‘factory’,” says Max.

“I wanted it to have fenders and bodywork, and not look like a KTM that was chopped. With almost everything being rearranged, it was a lot more work than it looks like. But I guess that was the idea.”

From the wheels up, Hazan’s famed attention to detail is present and correct. “I love Marchesini 10-spoke wheels,” he confesses. “I would put them on my toaster if I could. There’s something about them wrapped in a set of slicks that just rubs me the right way.”

Since Max was building the KTM out of his pocket, he plumped for a set of magnesium Marchesinis from a CBR1000 race bike. The sizes are 17 x 6 and 16.5 x 3.5, and Max has machined the hubs, carriers and cush drive to squeeze them into the swingarm and forks.

The 950 SM frame and swingarm are mostly stock, but Max has relocated the top shock mount forward and downward to raise the rear of the KTM by 2.5 inches, reducing the rake. Pretty much everything else has been modified or built up from scratch.

“The biggest things to eliminate were the massive tanks that KTM adventure bikes use, holding fuel on either side of the frame,” says Max. “So I made a load-bearing fuel cell that took the place of the rear subframe. It holds about 2.5 gallons and also houses the electronics.”

New radiator cores were modified from the oversized units from a 520, which Max tweaked to work with the twin’s cooling system—aided by air ducting.

The oil tank on a 950 SM is located in front of the engine, below the radiator. Max has made an aluminum replacement that sits where a normal fuel tank would be, and although it looks small from above, it holds more than the stock tank.

The new bodywork is crafted from 6061 aluminum alloy. “It’s a simple design, but it took about five tries to find the right shape for each part,” Max reveals. “I’m a big fan of ‘simple and clean,’ but it can be one of the hardest things to do right.”

The exhaust was one of the easier components to make. “I knew where I wanted it to end up, and what characteristics it should have,” he says. “It’s thin wall .625” stainless steel, merging into 1.75” before flowing through an Akrapovič silencer.”

“I really wanted a system that sounded and performed well. So all the welds were back-purged and the transitions smoothed. Both primary tubes are (almost) equal length.”

The 950 SM was famous for its good handling, so Max has retained the stock WP suspension. “I just played with the valving, lowered the forks, and used stiffer springs and oil. But I went way softer on the shocks—the bike has shed a lot of weight and doesn’t need to support two-up riding any more.”

It might be hard to believe, but Max has pulled around 100 pounds—45 kilos—off the 950 SM. (“It was built like a tank.”)

So what’s it like to ride? “It has a huge amount of engine braking,” he says. “It’s geared for about 120mph in sixth, and was in need of a slipper clutch to smooth out downshifts in the lower gears. But I just found myself ‘backing it in’ wherever I was going, as soon as I installed it.”

Everything about this KTM screams ‘track machine,’ but it’s actually 100% street legal. “It’s wired for lights and turn signals, and has a full setup that can be taken on or off in a few minutes,” says Max. “But I just prefer looking at it like this.”

It’s certainly a looker. But unlike many customs from premier league builders, Max’s KTM offers visceral as well as visual pleasures. We can’t imagine Max releasing a kit version of these mods, but if you have one of KTM’s big supermotos in your garage, there’s a ton of inspiration to be gained right here.

Hazan Motorworks | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Shaik Ridzwan

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2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan: Fast Saloon Gets Mild Hybrid Technology

The mere mention of the word “hybrid” is enough to ruin the day of a true-blue petrol head. But the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan begs to differ. Yes, this fast German saloon is equipped with an electrified, AMG-enhanced motor called EQ Boost. If this sounds like the cushioning technology of a popular sneaker brand, you’re not very far off.

But instead of protecting your feet, the EQ Boost starter-alternator-generator is designed to create power for the 48-volt on-board electrical system. It all sounds very complex, but the result is 429 horsepower (6,100 rpm) and 384 lb-ft. of torque (1,800-5,800 rpm).

This is the same 48-volt hybrid assist system that powers the coupe and convertible versions of the E 53, including the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53, which both debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show.

2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet. Photo: MBUSA.

Luxurious Performance

Unless you’re living under a rock somewhere in New Mexico, you are probably familiar with the acceleration and performance characteristics of electric cars. Adding the EQ Boost system to an AMG-tuned and turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six sounds like a recipe for a good time, don’t you agree?

The Mercedes E-class is the epitome of a midsize luxury sedan. But the performance wizards at AMG were able to transform the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan into an electrified performance monster without penalizing ride quality and comfort.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but when was the last time Mercedes fitted an inline-six into the E-class? The magic starts with a proper 3.0-liter inline-six fitted with a conventional exhaust-driven turbocharger, which is pointing head-on into BMW territory. But apparently, this wasn’t enough.

Intelligent Electrification

Mercedes-AMG developed the EQ Boost starter-generator to provide “intelligent electrification.” The EQ Boost combines a starter and alternator in a powerful electric motor. The system is fitted between the engine and transmission.

I guess we’ve seen this before, in the former Honda Insight hybrid vehicle, but EQ Boost can do so much more than basic hybrid functions: energy recovery, gliding mode, shifting of the load point – it can even restart the gasoline motor with the start/stop function.

The system can supply an immediate burst of power to turn an electric auxiliary compressor. What this means is an instant rush of torque similar to a diesel motor, along with the famed smoothness and refinement of an inline-six.

48-Volt Electrical System

The EQ Boost system in the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan generates power for the 48-volt on-board electrical system. It also supplies 12-volt juice courtesy of a DC/DC converter. The 12-volt system will still supply power to the cockpit, infotainment system, and lights. On the other hand, the 48-volt system can supply power to the electric compressor to boost horsepower and torque.

The system can immediately provide 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque with a drop of your right foot. When added to the existing power output, the result is a seamless and mesmerizing driving experience.

2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan. Photo: MBUSA.

Transmission &  Traction

Harnessing the power of the turbocharged inline-six and EQ Boost electric compressor is the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G Transmission. This unit provides short shift times, multiple downshifts, and a double-declutching function. It also delivers faster responses to shift paddle commands so you can drive like Lewis Hamilton.

Power is routed to the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that can transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and vice versa. The result is better handling and optimal traction on dry, wet, or snowy roads.

Drive Modes

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 comes with five Dynamic Select drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. The latter allows you to tailor the characteristics of the Mercedes-AMG E53. Want firmer steering with a more compliant ride? Done. You can basically go from mild to extra spicy with a press of a button.

Ride & Handling

The damping forces at each wheel are adjusted accordingly to suit any type of driving situation. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan is fitted with an AMG-tuned, multi-chamber air suspension with ADS+ (the automakers “Adaptive Damping System”). The system is based on the Air Body Control technology developed in Affalterbach, Southern Germany. The result is neutral cornering with less body roll, better traction, and greater levels of ride comfort.

2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan interior. Photo: MBUSA.

Modern Interior

The new AMG E 53 Sedan is equipped with a standard widescreen cockpit with virtual instrument panels. The 12.3-inch display is located above the central console so you can fiddle with the infotainment system, which can also be operated via the touchpad controller or by voice control. The voice command feature has been recalibrated so you can control things like the air conditioning, seat heating and cooling, and even the interior lights.

The AMG performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather, with red 12 o’clock markings, is standard.

Pricing & Availability

With an electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph and a zero to 60 time of 4.4 seconds, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan is more than a valid replacement for the previous AMG E 43 Sedan. You can expect the E 53 Sedan in the United States by late 2018. Pricing has not been disclosed yet.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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Automoblog Book Garage: The Complete Book of Classic Ford & Mercury Muscle Cars

The 2018 Mustang GT has the whole nine: a redesigned 5.0-liter V8, quicker response times for the 10-speed SelectShift transmission, and even custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires in the Performance Pack. The new 5.0 registers 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque, and hits 60 in less than four seconds in Drag Strip mode.

If there ever was an American performance car, this is it. And modern technology has taken nicely to the great pony car. However, the glory days stand tall, thanks to the work of author Donald Farr, who penned this recently-released wonderful gem we are featuring this weekend.

The new Mustang might be hot but these old Fords sure could stoke the fire.

Total Performance

The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars spans the Blue Oval’s catalog of classic machines from the early 1960s to 1973. Farr takes us through this prolific time, from the Fairlanes and Galaxies with their 390 bigblock V8s to the iconic Shelby and Boss Mustangs. We are able to dive deep into what was known as Ford’s Total Performance program, which subjected these cars to the rigors of drag strips, oval circuits, European rally events, road courses, and everything in-between.

Later we see the Mercury Cougar, Cyclone GT, and Spoiler. And the Cobra Jet looks as good as ever.

This beautiful 428 Cobra Jet is found on page 116. It continued as an option for the 1970 Mach 1, including a handful of Twister Specials built as a special Kansas promotion. They came with side decals in addition to the 1970 Mach 1’s aluminum rocker panel covers. Photo: Eric English.

Horsepower & Nostalgia

Car enthusiasts – and especially Ford fans – will enjoy thumbing through this one. In my early years as a Ford sales consultant, I would have displayed this book on my desk at the dealership. We sold Mustangs, yes, but most of the cars we moved daily were the Focus and Fusion. Great cars for sure, but there’s something refreshing about a little extra horsepower and nostalgia, which The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars easily provides.

Author

Farr has been with Mustang Monthly Magazine for 30 years. In addition to his magazine work, he authored Mustang Boss 302: Ford’s Trans-Am Ponycar and owns the 1966 Mustang GT his grandfather purchased new. He was inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame in 2012, an honor well-deserved.

The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars: 1961-1973 is available though Amazon and Motorbooks.

The Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars Gallery

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