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Ford Authority

Five Ways Chinese Ford F-150 Raptor Differs From U.S. Version

The Ford F-150 Raptor is due to arrive in China later this year, and much like with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, The Blue Oval is cutting out the middle man to sell the pickup directly to customers. The pickup will be built at the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant in the U.S., then exported to China’s nascent yet growing pickup market. Upon closer examination, Ford Authority discovered that units bound for the Asian country feature several differences from the models already on sale in the U.S.

1. Headlights

The Chinese-market Raptor replaces the amber-yellow elements within the headlight cluster for a set of clear accents, resulting in a completely clear/white headlight appearance.

Chinese-market F-150 Raptor

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

2. Grille Marker Lights

The Chinese-market F-150 Raptor also lacks the amber marker lights mounted within the grille of American-market models. The empty space created from the removal of these lights is filled with a set of plastic blanks to match the top-most part of the grille surround.

Chinese-market F-150 Raptor

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

3. Side Marker Lights

The Chinese-market Raptor is not equipped with the side marker lights affixed to the front and rear fender flares on U.S.-bound vehicles.

Chinese-market F-150 Raptor

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

4. Roof-Mounted Clearance Lights

Additionally, the Chinese-market model will feature a set of roof-mounted lights that the American-market model doesn’t have or offer, even as an option.

Chinese-market F-150 Raptor

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

Four roof-mounted lights, two at the front of the roof and two at the rear, mark the outer edges of the truck’s cab. Interestingly, the front lights appear to shine a white light, while the rear ones – positioned on the outside of the antenna pucks – shine red.

Chinese-market F-150 Raptor

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

5. Outside Mirrors

Finally, the Chinese-market Raptor will feature black exterior mirrors, as opposed to body-color mirror surrounds with black mounts used on the American-market model.

All of these differences are the result of variances in various vehicle regulations and requirements, serving as a reminder that selling a vehicle in another market is not as simple as exporting it there and calling it a day.

We should also note that there will almost certainly be more difference between the F-150 Raptor bound for China, but the lighting elements shown here are the most obvious outright.

Reservations for the F-150 Raptor opened back in March via the “Ford Pickup Community” channel on WeChat. Customers in China who wish to place a reservation can do so by placing a refundable deposit of CNY5000, which converts to around $800 USD. These customers receive an “Early Reservation Exclusive Privilege Plan,” and will have the chance to take earlier delivery along with attendance at several Ford-hosted special events. The first 200 reservations also include a custom souvenir package. Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2022.

U.S.-market F-150 Raptor

No matter the market, the Ford F-150 Raptor is powered by the third-generation Ford 3.5L EcoBoost V6, good for up to 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. That boosted six-cylinder engine bolts to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. As Ford Authority was first to report over three years ago, the “regular” F-150 Raptor will soon be joined by the upcoming F-150 Raptor R, which will deliver a healthy boost in power thanks to the supercharged 5.2L Predator V8 from the S550-generation Mustang Shelby GT500. The Raptor R will become the range-topper in North America, but it’s currently unclear if this model will make its way over to China, where emissions regulations are becoming ever more stringent.

To get the latest on the Ford F-150 Raptor, be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford F-150 Raptor news, F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.

Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. Interesting. Wondering if the interior controls use Chinese characters?

    Reply
  2. No they are in spanish

    Reply
  3. And you forgot about the tinted rear windows , definitely looks a ton better with tint!

    Reply
  4. Can’t wait to see these being officially on sale here via Ford dealers, the Silverados and RAMs are selling up a storm. For those that don’t know Ford is bringing in the F trucks then with a partner company converting them to RHD here in Australia. RAM and Chevy have a similar partnership with a local business but unlike Ford they don’t have local company sales outlets and rely on the remanufacturing companies to provide any warranty claims.

    Reply
  5. This is an interesting concept. I wonder if other companies or models will follow suit in this trend.

    Reply
  6. Perhaps Ford could get my Raptor built and finished first seeing as I ordered one on January 10th 2022 and haven’t heard a darn thing since then. Ya know, before they start sending them off to China! I know thousands of people here in the US that haven’t received their orders yet, including folks that ordered 12-14 months ago at this point!!

    Reply

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