You asked for it, and you finally got it! Ford unveils the new 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R “super truck”. Under the hood lurks a “Predator” supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine. The new power plant turns 37-inch all-terrain tires, and the luxurious interior cuddles the occupants. Here are all the details, including the starting suggested retail price!
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R
Ford put its “Predator” V8 engine under the hood of the F-150 Raptor. This engine shares much with the one powering the Shelby Mustang GT500, but it’s not identical. The supercharger pulley is different and the 5.2L SC V8 has a production rating of 700 horsepower @ 6,650 rpm and 640 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm. Indeed, the engine is tuned for more lower-end torque and lots of high-end horsepower.
The new V8 is paired with an updated 10-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter. The front driveline has been beefed up to handle all the new power and torque. The rear driveline remains largely as it is in the 3rd-generation F-150 Raptor. The five-link rear coil-spring suspension is there as well.
The Raptor R can be had only with the 37-inch all-terrain tires. The suspension setup is basically the same as the Raptor 37 package that is currently available with the high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Since the V8 engine adds about 80-100 lbs to the weight of the R, the front spring rate increases by 5%.
Exterior accents are blacked out. The Raptor R interior is the most luxurious available in any Raptor pickup truck. It features black Recaro seats, dark accents, and new carbon-fiber trim pieces. The Raptor R comes only one way. All you have to do is pick an exterior color and decide if you want a panoramic roof or not.
The Raptor R should still be able to do some truck work. The maximum payload remains at around 1,400 lbs and the maximum towing is increased to 8,700 lbs.
The 2023 Raptor R pickup will go on sale in late 2022 with a starting MSRP of $109,145 including destination charges.
The new Raptor R is fully optioned, but it has a starting price that is around $30,000 more than a base 2022 Ram TRX. The TRX has a little more horsepower and torque (702 hp / 650 lb-ft). There are other premium off-road pickup trucks with serious capability and speed – the 835 horsepower Rivian R1T and the 1,000 horsepower GMC Hummer EV.
Will the Raptor R be successful? Well, the Raptor R has a weight advantage. Ford states the curb weight of the truck at 5,950 lbs. This is nearly 400 lbs less than a comparable Ram TRX. It’s 1,000 lbs less than a Rivian R1T and 3,000 lbs less than the Hummer EV truck.
We will have to wait until we drive the Raptor R to make the final decision.
