Get your order in now for the most powerful Ford Raptor ever -the new 700-horsepower 2023 F-150 Raptor R. Ford calls the pickup the most powerful, most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet. It's available in eight color options, including new Avalanche and Azure Gray Tri-Coat exterior paint offered on the Raptor lineup for the first time.
Ford Performance
The F-150 Raptor has from day one been inspired by the extreme desert-racing trophy trucks that compete in the Baja 1000. Ford says designed and engineered by Ford Performance, the F- Raptor R is the closest yet to delivering this type of performance.
“Raptor R is our ultimate Raptor,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “When customers experience Raptor R in the desert and beyond, it will make the hairs on the back of their necks stand up – and they’ll love every second of it.”
Credit: Ford.
Powertrain
Under the hood you find a new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine, previously seen in the Mustang Shelby GT500® was optimized for Raptor-level off-road performance durability. Ford says it's the most torque-dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup.
Ford Performance recalibrated this V8 engine’s supercharger and installed a new pulley to optimize its power for off-road use, increasing torque delivery at the low-end and mid-range. These changes help Raptor R offer more performance at the speeds where customers spend most of their time driving.
To maintain the Raptor's well-known extreme off-road durability, Ford Performance also upgraded the original engine’s exhaust manifolds to a cast stainless steel design, including a unique oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan enabling it to tackle aggressive grades while keeping the engine oil cool. To help the engine breathe better, air intake volume is increased 66% via a wider air intake inlet and a higher-flow, higher-efficiency conical air filter.
Credit: Ford.
Capability and Durability
Ford Performance upgraded the base truck’s transmission and driveline to help ensure Raptor R can smoothly handle what this V8 can throw at it. It's equipped with a 10-speed SelectShift® transmission with improved calibration. The truck also features a new front axle with a more robust, higher-strength carrier casting and an aluminum-ribbed structural cover to manage the powertrain’s added torque, as well as a unique larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft. A new, specially tuned torque converter with heavy-duty turbine damper and four-pinion rear output assembly makes the truck even better equipped to transfer torque and provide a smoother powertrain feel when driving both on- and off-road.
There is also a unique dual exhaust system with a true pass-through muffler and active valve system, with modes for Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. You can adjust them in the MyMode feature which allowing drivers to customize various settings – including drive, steering, suspension modes and others.
Credit: Ford.
A five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain, a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs – all optimized for outstanding stability while traversing desert terrain at high speeds. Advanced FOX Live Valve shocks are tuned to balance ride quality and roll control on- and off-road. These electronically controlled dampers use suspension height sensors and other sensors to monitor terrain conditions independently, hundreds of times a second, while adjusting suspension tuning accordingly. Wheel travel of 13 inches in front and 14.1 inches in back facilitates Raptor R’s ability to traverse sand and rocks with outstanding capability.
“We’ve heard our customers demanding the sound and power of a V8 back in Raptor,” said Widmann. “That’s not something we were going to rush. This supercharged 5.2-liter V8 is the ideal fusion of high-density power paired with the third generation Raptor’s all-new rear suspension and shocks to deliver a one-two punch that goes far beyond the sum of its parts.”
Each drive mode is tuned to handle the added power of the supercharged V8, including an optimized Baja mode for maximum performance and control in high-speed off-roading. A 5% increase in the front spring rate helps maintain comfortable ride quality, while Raptor R boasts class-leading 13.1-inch ground clearance and standard 37-inch tires straight from the factory.
Credit: Ford.
Design
The Raptor R denotes its status with a larger, more aggressively styled power dome on the hood that's nearly 1 inch taller than on the base Raptor and helps extract warm air from underneath. Iconic F O R D grille, bumpers and fender flares are painted black.
“Raptor R is visually designed like a desert predator to catch the attention of Raptor customers and off-road enthusiasts,” said Tom Liu, Raptor R lead designer. “There are details big and small – from the more aggressive hood air extractor to the Code Orange ‘R’ badges - that visually communicate next level off-road performance under the Raptor R banner.”
Credit: Ford.
Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange accents include a unique “R” badge on the grille, power dome and tailgate. Of course you get a special Raptor R graphics package on the rear fenders.
Inside you'll find a black interior with standard Recaro black leather and Alcantara suede seats. Carbon fiber adorns the doors and other areas of the cabin.
Smart Tech
Smart technology helps that makes off-roading easier includes Trail Turn Assist and Ford Trail Control along with Trail 1-Pedal Drive that allows customers to control throttle and braking with just one pedal to make extreme off-roading like rock crawling even easier.
The Raptor R comes with a standard 12-inch touch screen with SYNC 4, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It also benefits from Ford Power-Up over-the-air software update capability.
Availability
You can order a F-150 Raptor and production starts late 2022 at Dearborn Truck Plant. Contact your CarPro dealer for more info and to place your order. Sign up for Ford updates here.
Photo Credit: Ford.