The all-new 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is expected to debut later this year. It marks the return of the V8 engine under the hood of this iconic sports truck. Ford just couldn’t let the Ram TRX get all the attention, and the new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 not only needs to make a lot of power, but also sound right.
That’s what people believe is going on in this video. Ford was apparently testing not one but two F-150 Raptor R prototypes on the road, ensuring that the V8 sounds right. We believe this footage was shot by the YouTuber Motrolix, who shared it with Ford Authority.
It’s pretty much confirmed that Ford will use its best V8 for the R model just so it can compete with the Ram. In place of the normal Raptor twin-turbo V6, we’ll see a 5.2-liter Predator V8, shared with the iconic Mustang Shelby GT500 muscle car.
Launched in 2019, the Predator is the most powerful production engine ever produced by Ford. Its cast aluminum head and block are paired up with Dual overhead cam (DOHC) with variable camshaft timing (VCT). The V8 produces 760 horsepower and 7,300rpm and 625 pound-feet of torque at 5,000rpm.
For the record, the 6.2-liter HEMI in the Ram 1500 TRX is rated at 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Some have speculated that Ford will use its hybrid technology to bridge that small torque gap.
While the Mustang GT500 uses a 7-speed gearbox, this is a dual-clutch unit that isn’t really built to handle the abuse it would receive in a truck, not to mention it would have to be adapted to the AWD. Instead, the Raptor R is supposed to use a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Dual exhausts sound Shelby-like
Standard equipment should include a five-link rear suspension system, Fox Live Valve shocks and cast aluminum running boards. Optionally, this Baja-spec mega-Raptor will be available with 37-inch tires wrapped in all-terrain tires and the locking rear differential.
Paint is one of the obvious differences between the two prototypes. The one at the beginning of the video appears to be finished in Area 51, which is proving quite popular with the Bronco twins and the Maverick. The other one is finished in Agate Black Metallic, but a host of other colors have been confirmed for the Raptor R about a week ago: Avalanche Gray, Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat, Code Orange, Iconic Silver, Oxford White, and Antimatter Blue.
How much will the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R cost? Well, we expect further leaks in the coming weeks, but it’s safe to assume the official sticker price is around $80,000. However, production is very limited, and dealers have hinted this supercharged monster is basically sold out already. I guess that means you’re probably going to see $100,000 markups.
