Ford sent a one-of-a-kind F-150 Raptor to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction recently. Proceeds from the sale were given to the JDRF charity to benefit diabetes research. Ford Performance also announced that they would start a program for Raptor buyers to teach them the essentials of off-roading so they can get the most out of their trucks.
Raptor Auction Raises Money to Benefit Diabetes Charity
Diabetes is a problem for people from all walks of life and can be a life-threatening condition. At best, it degrades the quality of life of those who suffer from it. In an effort to assist ongoing research into a cure for the disease, Ford Performance teamed up with the JDRF diabetes charity.
Ford Performance brought the last 2017 F-150 Raptor produced to the 48th Annual Barrett-Jackson Auction at Scottsdale. Ford Motor Company president Mark Fields was joined onstage by build team members to raise excitement levels of the bidders, and those who just watched the auction, in order to ensure the sale price of the truck was as high as possible. When the gavel fell on the truck’s auction, the final sale price was $157,000. The winning bidder was also given the chance to select a one-of-a-kind color for their new Raptor. An anonymous donation was also made, bringing the total raised to $207,000.
Ford Performance’s marketing manager Jim Owens said before the auction, “The new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is by far the most off-road capable vehicle on the market today, boasting some of the best performance technology to come from Ford. Raptor serves as a testament to our passion for creating vehicles that are designed to tackle the toughest obstacles on Earth. We’re really looking forward to auctioning off our custom creation to help support JDRF.”
Ford Performance Announces Raptor Assault
Fields also announced at the auction that all buyers of the 2017 Raptor will be able to attend the new Raptor Assault program hosted by the Ford Performance Racing School. The program will commence in April of this year. Customers will be responsible for their transportation and lodging, but the one-day course will be free for all owners of 2017 Raptors. The course will teach the off-road driving techniques needed for rock crawling as well as other off-road driving techniques required to make the most of the capabilities of the Raptor.
The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with Ford’s new high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine which is exclusive to the Raptor. This engine produces 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque across a wide torque band. Ford says Raptor can tackle almost anything thanks to the new ten-speed automatic transmission backed by an exclusive transfer case managed by Ford’s six-mode Terrain Management System.
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