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Ford’s 2021 F-150 Raptor is a behemoth

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Ford recently unveiled the newest version of its F-150 Raptor off-road pickup.

Everything about the 2021 Raptor is designed to make it the biggest and burliest iteration to date.

The F-150 Raptor's 3.1-inch diameter shocks are its largest ever, and come with electronic control to absorb more impact from any direction.

It boasts 35-inch or 37-inch tires (the latter being the largest available for a pickup), giving it 13.1 inches of clearance.

The Raptor is designed for off-road races like the Baja 1000: a punishing high-speed trek through rough desert terrain.

The F-150 Raptor is about looks as much as performance, with a brawny aesthetic in every element.

Its exhaust system can even be adjusted to give it a "throatier engine sound."

Whether the word "raptor" reminds you of birds of prey, fighter jets, or Jurassic Park, that's the feeling the new F-150 evokes.

The Raptor is a massive 86.6 inches wide (about 10 inches wider than the standard Ford F-150).
Ford was legally required to add extra lights to the Raptor's front and sides because of its size.

Everything from blacked-out tail lamps to the design of its grille is meant to emphasize the Raptor's bulk.

The vents on the truck's fender are modeled after the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, completing its aggressive look.
Chris Hyde/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The Raptor's off-road features are overkill for average drivers, but that doesn't mean they won't appear on normal streets.

Big vehicles can be a sign of status and security, and they're becoming more popular.

In 2020, pickup sales overtook sedan sales in the U.S., and manufacturers are offering even bigger options.

Ford isn't done bulking up, with an even beefier Raptor R coming next year.

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