New Ford F-150 Raptor R - 700 horsepower!

After more than a decade of battling harsh conditions and conquering the desert dunes with three generations of off-road pickups, Ford introduces the new F-150 Raptor R, the fastest, most powerful and most extreme all-terrain Raptor ever offered to customers.

New Ford F-150 Raptor R

All three generations of the F-150 Raptor were civilian additions to the extreme pickup trucks raced on the desert tracks of the Baja 1000 Rally. Designed and engineered by Ford Performance, the 2023 F-150 Raptor R comes closest to these performance vehicles in terms of performance.

“The Raptor R is the absolute pinnacle of our Raptor,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance Chief Engineer. "The Raptor R will have customers who try it in and out of the desert on top of their heads - and they'll love every second of this adventure."

Raptor's heart

The heart of the Raptor R is the new supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine it produces. 700 HP and 868 Nm of torqueproviding almost inexhaustible power when driving through the desert. Ford Performance has used the most powerful engine in its lineup, previously known from the Mustang Shelby GT500®.optimizing it for Raptor off-road performance and durability in keeping with the proud Built Ford Tough® motto. The result is the most dynamic supercharged V8 you'll find in a production pickup truck.

Ford Performance changed the boost characteristics of the V8 engine and installed a new pulley to optimize its power for off-road use, thereby increasing low-to-mid range torque. These changes help the Raptor R increase its capability at speeds that customers tend to travel most off-road.

To maintain the exceptional off-road reliability that all generations of the Raptor are known for, Ford Performance has redesigned the original engine's exhaust manifolds, replacing them with stainless steel castings. There's also a unique oil cooler and filters, a deeper oil pan that allows you to aggressively tackle steep climbs while keeping the engine oil cold. To allow the engine to breathe freely, the volume of the air intake system has been increased by 66 % by using a larger air intake and a conical air filter with more capacity and less flow resistance.

Created Ford Tough to conquer the desert.

The F-150 Raptor is much more than just speed - it's essential for extreme off-road trails. Its capability and durability are the result of more than a decade of Ford experience building and testing very high performance pickup trucks. Ford Performance has upgraded the base car's gearbox and drivetrain so the Raptor R can handle smoothly what would make it make a powerful V8.

The Raptor R features a 10-speed SelectShift® transmission in an upgraded configuration. A new front axle was used with a stronger cast differential housing and aluminum fins on the skid plate. To cope with the transmission's higher torque, a larger diameter aluminum driveshaft was also used. A new, specially tuned torque converter with torque damping capability and a four-speed output gear make the vehicle even more capable of hauling heavy loads and delivering a smoother ride both on and off the road.

Riders have even more control over how the Raptor R uses its extra power with a unique continuous muffler dual exhaust system and active exhaust valve system with Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja modes. You can take advantage of the MyMode™ feature, which allows the driver to customize many of the vehicle's settings, including driving modes, steering, suspension, and more, and save them all together as one mode, easily accessible by pressing the "R" button. on the steering wheel.

If the heart of the Raptor R is its supercharged V8 engine, its incredibly efficient suspension is its soul. The five-link rear suspension uses long trailing arms for better axle control in rough terrain, a Panhard bar and 24-inch coil springs, all tuned for exceptional stability when traversing rough terrain at high speed. Advanced FOX Live Valve dampers have been tuned to balance ride and body roll control on and off road. Electronically controlled dampers use suspension position sensors, as well as other sensors, to independently monitor terrain conditions hundreds of times per second, adjusting the damping parameters in the suspension. With 330mm of wheel travel at the front and 358mm at the rear, the Raptor R can tackle sand and rocks with extreme efficiency.

“We know our customers wanted the sound and power of the V8 engine back in the Raptor,” said Widmann. “We were not going to rush at any cost. The 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine is the perfect combination of high power with the all-new 3rd generation Raptor rear suspension with its adjustable dampers for a double effect that goes far beyond the sum of the component benefits.”

Every driving mode has been tuned for more power from the supercharged V8 engine, including an optimized Baja mode for maximum performance and control during high-speed off-road driving. The 5%'s increased front spring rate helps maintain a comfortable ride, and the Raptor R boasts class-leading ground clearance*333mm and standard, class-unique*37" standard tires for improved obstacle handling.

Iconic Raptor style in a new version

The most powerful Raptor to date takes off-road pickup design to the next level, while its unique styling further highlights the power of the supercharged V8 engine. A larger, more aggressively raised center hood with air outlets nearly 25mm higher than the base Raptor's to help push hot air out of the engine bay. The iconic FORD lettering air intake, black painted bumpers and fenders underline the car's unique character.

“The Raptor R looks like a desert predator to please buyers and those who love uncompromising off-road driving,” said Tom Liu, Raptor R Design Lead. The R in the orange code visually indicates a higher level of off-road performance. performance, under the slogan Raptor R."

Key elements of the Orange code include "R" badges on the air intake, hood vents, and tailgate. A special graphic design placed on the rear fenders depicts the raw, cracked desert ground, reinforcing the connection to the environment the Raptor R was built for.

The aggressive character of the exterior has been carried over to the black interior. Standard Recaro® seats are a combination of black leather and Alcantara® suede, with both materials designed to improve contact between rider and seat when the terrain gets nasty.

Natural carbon fiber adorns the visor on the door panel, the glove compartment lid and the top of the dashboard. Triaxial weave material is used to symbolize the combination of performance, strength and reliability of the Raptor R.

Like all versions of the Raptor, the Raptor R comes standard with a suite of intelligent driving assistance systems. Trail Turn Assist** allows the driver to reduce the turning radius in tight corners and thus drive even further in extreme terrain. Ford Trail Control is an off-road cruise control that allows the driver to select a predetermined speed and maneuver the steering wheel in difficult conditions, while the car itself controls the throttle and brakes. Trail 1-Pedal Drive† allows the rider to control the throttle and brake with just one pedal, making extreme riding such as rock climbing easier.

The standard 12-inch SYNC® 4 touchscreen, compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto ††, keeps you connected. The Raptor R also benefits from over-the-air Ford Power-Up software updates. Over-the-air updates can provide improvements throughout the car, from SYNC to performance enhancements, features, and other system enhancements that enhance the Raptor R experience over time.

The F-150 Raptor R will be available in eight color options, including new Avalanche body colors and Azure Gray Tri-Coat, a first for the Raptor lineup.Orders for the F-150 Raptor R are being accepted today and production will begin in late 2022 at the Dearborn Truck Plant.

Photo: Ford