The Ford trucks had always been the bread and butter earner for the common working man. But now they have a different strategy, it’s pretty simple really, Ford wants to shock and awe its consumers. We talk to Mahaan about his Ford F150 Raptor, the modern days Mad Max
Arnab: Mahaan, when we look for cars we don’t generally think about a big 4×4 truck. However in the recent years we are seeing quite a few of these bad boys around. What made you choose this monstrosity?
Mahaan: I love the desert and after I sold my Grand Cherokee Overland, I wanted something I could take to the desert, straight from the factory. And I always wanted a truck… Putting two and two together, and luckily, the Raptor was the only choice. Went over to Ford, put down the deposit and waited 4 months.
Arnab: How has your wife reacted to it when you finally told her of your purchase?
Mahaan: Ah well, lets just say I was lucky to get dinner. But no, she loved it and had just one condition, white with all the factory decals. And I couldn’t say no to that.
Arnab: Tell us about the Raptor and how different is it from the regular F150′s in the Ford lineup
Mahaan: The biggest difference is the suspension. It’s got the Fox racing shocks factory installed giving it a huge clearance. The Raptor comes with standard BFG 315′s and wider fenders, adding an extra 7inches to the width. Oh, and it just looks mean with those 3 marker lights on the front grill.
Arnab: How is it as an everyday vehicle, there has to be some limitations on parking, height clearance to go to underground parking? Or is all that a myth?
Mahaan: There are a few limitations due to it’s size. Like you said, parking is the major one. Even though it’s not the 4 door (which is even longer), it barely fits in. And you’ll always be on the parking line. You can’t take it to the airport due to height restrictions. To top it off, you can’t take the truck to a standard automatic car wash. But then, it’s not your average grocery shopper anyway.
Arnab: Are there any plans to make it better or you think Ford SVT has done everything you could have asked for?
Mahaan: I think Ford’s SVT has pulled it off. I’ve taken it to the desert a couple of times and I haven’t been disappointed. The only extra I’ve added till now is an LED bar at the front for night time off-roading.
Arnab: What are the reactions like when you take it on the road? I ask this to a lot of the readers since UAE is a place where people tend to show off their cars in places like the JBR Walk?
Mahaan: Ha ha… yeah, you get mixed reactions. The first day, I pulled up at a petrol station and two women in the next lane rolled down their windows and shouted “nice ride”… and then I’ve had one female telling me that I’m the cause for global warming.
Photos By Brian Donegan
