The Ford F-150 Raptor R was unveiled this morning, and there’s a V8 again under the hood of Ford’s beefiest pickup.
The return of an eight-cylinder engine in the Ford F-150 Raptor has been awaited by many for a long time, and the manufacturer just this morning unveiled a new version of the pickup truck: the Ford Raptor R. This will compete directly with the Ram TRX due to the V8 found under its hood that produces 700 horsepower and is borrowed directly from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
Ford F-150 Raptor R Engine
There have long been rumors that the Shelby GT500 Mustang eight-cylinder engine, also known as the “Predator”, will find its way under the hood of a special version of the Ford F-150 Raptor. . The Raptor “R” is thus the manufacturer’s newcomer, and it has the Ram TRX directly in its sights, which is also powered by a very sturdy engine.
The supercharged engine of the Ford F-150 Raptor R thus produces 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, while the traditional Raptor produces only 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. However, the same 10-speed automatic transmission – although differently calibrated – is mated to this new engine. Otherwise, we know that a new exhaust pipe was also fixed under the van; considering the sound of the regular Raptor, one can only imagine what the Raptor R will sound like. Incidentally, a video of a prototype Raptor R had surfaced some time ago, and you could hear the roar of the V8.
More power, and more robustness
Not only did Ford make changes to the entire powertrain, but they also took on the task of making other structural changes to allow the Raptor R to accommodate all that power.
First, we’re talking about standard 37-inch tires, the same ones found on the traditional Raptor equipped with the “37” option package. Then, the shock absorbers, although identical to those found on the Raptor, were tuned differently to accommodate the additional weight of the eight-cylinder engine.
A new torque converter is also paired with the transmission, and an all-new front axle and a thicker driveshaft are also among the list of changes made to give the Raptor R more robustness.
Otherwise, we still don’t know the selling price of this new version of the Raptor, but as an indication, it will be on sale for $109,145 with our neighbors to the south. According to Ford, production of the Raptor R will begin sometime in the fall of 2022, with first deliveries expected towards the end of the year. However, if you already feel like it, it is possible to place an order with dealers in the country.
