Ford took the wraps off the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor here at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The newest vehicle from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), the Raptor targets off-road enthusiasts with a factory truck ready to hit the desert.

For drivers who prefer to do their off-road racing at the drag strip, Ford also debuted the Mustang Cobra Jet, officially the FR500CJ but referred to simply as the Cobra Jet and the fourth Mustang race car offered to customer racers by the Ford Racing Performance Group.

Ford’s newest models, the all-new 2009 F-150, Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS, were all featured at SEMA along with the Transit Connect, a small utility truck sold in Europe that will be coming to the U.S. market for 2009. One Ford Flex on display was customized for Grammy Award-winning hip-hop star Nelly.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Ford’s previous high-performance SVT truck, the Lightning, was very fast, but built strictly for the street. SVT is taking on a new challenge with the Raptor. Ford has a long history of success in off-road racing, including the famed Baja 1000, and a production high-performance, off-road truck is a good way to take advantage of the sport’s increase in popularity.

The Raptor is seven inches wider than a standard F-150, giving it a more aggressive stance and the look of an off-road racer from the front. The added width is highlighted by marker lamps integrated into the upper edge of the distinctive grille with the Ford name incorporated into it.

The Raptor features design themes from the grille and front fascia carried through on the console and dash. The black leather-wrapped steering wheel has a molten orange leather strip at the top, a useful tool in off-roading to quickly identify when the steering is centered.

The F-150 SVT Raptor is powered by Ford’s 5.4-liter Triton V8, producing 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a new fuel-injection system for increased horsepower during towing or high rpm use, as well as lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. Ford’s new 6.2-liter V8 engine will debut in the Raptor after launch.

2008 Mustang Cobra Jet

The fourth customer car from Ford Racing Performance Group, the Cobra Jet is a race-ready drag car joining the Mustang FR500S, the Mustang FR500C and the Mustang FR500GT for road racers competing in the Mustang Challenge, the Koni Challenge or the Grand-Am Rolex GT.

The Cobra Jet is the drag-racing equivalent of the FR500S, designed for racers interested in NHRA sportsmen drag racing with a car that Ford claims will run the quarter-mile in the 10-second range. Only 50 2008 Cobra Jets will be built.

‘Nelly’ Flex

Ford designer Melvin Betancourt designed the “Nelly” Flex, finished in a custom blue with a white roof, after meeting with the hip-hop star to get a sense of his taste in vehicles. The 22-inch wheels are custom NC Forged “6 Spoke” 3-piece aluminum with NC floating center caps.  The outer rim is chrome with a brushed aluminum center, and a different offset for the front and rear gives a staggered look.

Black Tuscany leather is inside, with Katzkin seats and contrasting blue stitching. The wood-grain trim is replaced with the same artwork appliqué on the roof.

In addition, Nelly’s Flex features the industry-exclusive Ford Sync technology and a CIM LIIV wireless Internet entertainment system, which provides Internet access onboard.