Ford calls it the F-150 Lightning Switchgear. However you recognize a Raptor whenever you see one.
Ford was the primary firm to market a factory-built tremendous truck when it constructed the unique F-150 Raptor. It could possibly be the final of its form, now that the Ram TRX has its pink slip.
And Ford is decided to Raptorize all the issues.
So, after all, Ford can be the primary firm to construct an electrical model.
That’s not, formally, what the F-150 Lightning Switchgear is. Ford calls this truck a “demonstrator,” not one thing meant for manufacturing. And we take them at their phrase — demand for Ford’s F-150 Lightning electrical pickup stays gentle sufficient that we don’t assume there’s a lot of a marketplace for an electrical high-speed desert runner but.
However why exhibit what you are able to do? In hopes of doing it sometime. That is seemingly observe for the day when an electrical supertruck is smart. And the Switchgear appears to be like nice in observe.
Would You Like Some Suspension With Your Suspension?
Produced in collaboration with tuner store RTR, the Switchgear rides on huge 37-inch tires mounted to date out it has nearly 6 inches extra monitor width than a Raptor. A positive signal a automobile isn’t headed for manufacturing? When it gained’t slot in a lane.
But it surely suits on these huge tires due to adjustable trip top. The entrance might be set to 7 inches in road mode or 13.5 inches in off-road mode — the rear adjustments from 5 to 11.
Customizing the suspension was the onerous half — the Lightning already has a reasonably distinctive spring set due to the low heart of gravity because of its battery. Ford says the Switchgear makes use of an “unbiased double-wishbone suspension on the entrance, and multilink unbiased suspension on the rear with coil-over shocks, stabilizer bar, and customized management arms.” Fox 3-inch diameter inner bypass shocks make it work on each axles.
No Want for a Energy Enhance
Ford didn’t hassle to extend the ability. It will get the identical 580 horsepower because the extended-range model of the Lightning, good for 775 lb-ft of torque.
The Switchgear will get distinctive entrance and rear bumpers to enhance method and departure angles, rock rails, and a metal entrance skid plate.
As an indication mannequin, Ford hasn’t accomplished a lot to improve the inside. However the firm changed the seats with Recaro fashions with five-point harnesses. Oddly, we spot no upgrades to the precise switchgear.
Ford plans to deliver the truck to the King of the Hammers off-road racing occasion in Johnson Valley, California, beginning Jan. 25. We don’t count on to see it a lot after that. This can be a truck constructed to make a degree. It would in all probability simply plant an concept in folks’s heads for future use.
However when EVs are extra mainstream, somebody will ask a few Raptor-like electrical truck. And somebody will say it may be accomplished — they noticed it as soon as.
