2016 Ford Raptor!

DanMan_S · January 15, 2015

They are much different. They are manuals with clutches--just with a "fancy" shifter.

The Corvette 8-speed is not one of those. It has a torque converter. The torque converter is what puts the "slush" into "slushbox." Just because you can shift it manually does not mean its like a manual --it'll still boil the fluid with even mild track use.

Torque converters are great for drag racing but you do not want one on a road course.

Based on my experiences, GM's current automatics do pretty well on the road course. My dad has a 2010 CTSV with the 6 speed auto and it's done really well on any of the lapping sessions we've taken it on.

Now, I definitely preferred the manual in my Z06 and my GT500. It may not be as fast, but it was definitely a lot more fun to be rowing the gears myself while working the clutch.

truckofwinandawesome · January 16, 2015

I don't know much about Australian racing but F1, Indy and NHRA use automated manual boxes that are essentially automatic. You may pull a lever or paddle, but the shift is done electronically. Humans are the weak link and those DSGs or whatever you wish to call them are not really a manual transmission. Even the ones with a "shifter" are basically a giant two way switch- upshot or downshift. The clutch is computer controlled.

if I remember correctly, The V8 Supercars of Australia use a Sequential Manual Transmission; and you are correct about F1 cars being an Automated Manual; but it takes a special method to drive off in an F1 car; if the F1 car's ECM detects you aren't using enough power to prevent a stall, it will cut the clutch back in, as explained when Top Gear's Richard Hammond drove the Renault R25 F1 car around Silverstone.

Luster · January 16, 2015

between this and the new ram rebel (not quite as capable as the raptor, but probably more what most people will use), GM needs to get a silverado in this area.

You're right... GM is losing market share.

Is this the best they can do? What could the designers of this grille have been thinking????

The Dodge offering is WORSE!

Please keep in mind that LOOKS are extremely important to me. I prefer that others think my truck is BADASS, than for them to be pointing and laughing at the ugly grill.

BADDASS.

I'm sorry, but the Chevy and Dodge so-called "competitors" to the Raptor are a joke.

Chris · January 16, 2015

The so-called chvy you point out wasnt done by GM. It was done as a joint venture between Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Souther Comfort. Both are independent of GM. They just used a Silverado as the starting vehicle to add their modifications to

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 16, 2015

You're right... GM is losing market share.

Is this the best they can do? What could the designers of this grille have been thinking????

The Dodge offering is WORSE!

Please keep in mind that LOOKS are extremely important to me. I prefer that others think my truck is BADASS, than for them to be pointing and laughing at the ugly grill.

BADDASS.

I'm sorry, but the Chevy and Dodge so-called "competitors" to the Raptor are a joke.

That's not by GM, Lingenfelter is the one that designed it and you get the Reaper through them.

https://www.lingenfelter.com/engine-packages/2014-direct-injection-engine/lingenfelter-supercharged-2014-silverado-reaper-package

Luster · January 16, 2015

The so-called chvy you point out wasnt done by GM. It was done as a joint venture between Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Souther Comfort. Both are independent of GM. They just used a Silverado as the starting vehicle to add their modifications to

Good to know... I would like to see GM get into this market. They must have their reasons for not doing this.

Chris · January 16, 2015

Good to know... I would like to see GM get into this market. They must have their reasons for not doing this.

In my eyes, R&D for a niche market is not worth it. Ford made it work by being the first. Now if Ram does go through with their design then they will not gain much. Ford will lose market share. If all 3 get into it, its not worth it. For grins, take the number of Raptors produced/Sold amd divide that by 3. As a company that just got out of bankruptcy, is the R&D worth the units to be sold? Its a big risk for GM to take.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · January 16, 2015

Ya that market isn't like the muscle car era or even the modern muscle throwback era. As Chris said, it's just too small of a market to have copy cats. GM even was Johnny come lately with the 5th gen Camaro (even though I believe they started the design not long after the '05 Stang came out). Now the old is new with modern muscle has almost ran it's course. I honestly think the factory made pre-runner style won't last much longer. To me it just makes more sense to buy the truck you want, put a long travel lift on it with rims and tires and of course the bumpers and there you go. I think GM hasn't tried is because they're being a little more cautious now. I remember they didn't care to try something off the wall, but now they're trying to be more smart about things. I think they've done well with the recent products like the K2 trucks (more recalls and problems than it should be, but still most are good), the C7 Stingray Vette and the Z28 Camaro.

Luster · January 16, 2015

In my eyes, R&D for a niche market is not worth it. Ford made it work by being the first. Now if Ram does go through with their design then they will not gain much. Ford will lose market share. If all 3 get into it, its not worth it. For grins, take the number of Raptors produced/Sold amd divide that by 3. As a company that just got out of bankruptcy, is the R&D worth the units to be sold? Its a big risk for GM to take.

Good point... I guess when you can sell 800,000 units (Silverado/Sierra) in one year, you don't really "need" to enter the niche market of "muscle" trucks.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/chevrolet-silverado-sales-figures.html

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/gmc-sierra-sales-figures.html

kstruckcountry · January 16, 2015

To be honest, I prefer the outgoing Raptor to the 2016. It's better looking in my opinion.

Dodge's Power Wagon is what I'd prefer to a Raptor. More usable payload capacity and more effective in almost every situation off road.

That said, a GM 3/4 ton off roader would be sweet.

In the end though, if you want a REALLY capable off road pickup, you're going to have to build it yourself.

5RWill · February 3, 2015

There is a rumor/news that GM is hinting at a raptor competitor under the title "Z71 Trail Boss" or at least an off-road based truck from the ground up. Whether or not it makes it past being a "concept" is another question. I wish they had something though. I don't dislike ford, just prefer GM. We have had better luck with GM throughout my entire life on the farm where it really counts. That i and just get tired of hearing Ford faithful constantly blabbering about the Raptor. It's a very nice vehicle especially considering it's widely produced, but it's not the end all be all of trucks.

I posted a new thread on the trail boss but we could continue that discussion here, if the mods would like to delete that thread i should've just posted it in here.

http://www159.carbuzz.com/news/2015/1/25/GM-Wants-Its-Own-Hardcore-Off-Road-Truck-Trademarks-Z71-Trail-Boss-7725052/

The picture is obviously the ZR2 concept colorado but that's not what they're referring to.

As far as look is concerned minus 1 or 2 light bars i really enjoyed the look of this "Raptor competitor". Obviously there are no suspension upgrades which makes it a moot point calling it a raptor competitor but the look is there IMO. It's over the top on a light bar or two, the grille, and all that red digital camo, but other than that it looks great IMO.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 13, 2015

You don't like "450 to 500 horsepower and more torque than the current V-8’s 434 lb-ft."?

Not out of a V6 turbo, not at all..............Can't stand the sound of the EcoBoost, sounds like a Honda Civic IMO.

kstruckcountry · February 13, 2015

Not out of a V6 turbo, not at all..............Can't stand the sound of the EcoBoost, sounds like a Honda Civic IMO.

It's okay, they'll play fake noise over the stereo for you.

BlackZ71Silverado · February 13, 2015

It's okay, they'll play fake noise over the stereo for you.

I read an article about that.....How is that accomplished exactly and what is the point? No matter how much noise comes through the speakers, it's still going to sound like a wet fart on the outside.

5RWill · February 13, 2015

I read an article about that.....How is that accomplished exactly and what is the point? No matter how much noise comes through the speakers, it's still going to sound like a wet fart on the outside.

This lol, i never understood the point of that logic. "We'll give you full effect fake V8 noise on the inside of the cab when in reality you know your truck sounds like a tonka toy."