Truck sales keep the lights on at many automakers, and no truck model is more important to its respective company than the Ford F-150. It’s the best-selling truck in America and is Ford’s literal cash cow, so it’s not surprising to see the automaker rolling out multitudes of special and performance editions.
The F-150 Raptor is among the oldest and most well-known F-150 models, and it recently got a significant overhaul with the rest of the truck line. Just one year later, Ford has another Raptor model to show us, this time with V8 power. The new F-150 Raptor R features a supercharged powertrain and, going forward, will be the pinnacle of the brand’s off-road performance.
The standard Ford Raptor has been on sale for a while, following the F-150’s redesign for 2021. That truck carries a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 450 horsepower, so it’s not down on power. Ford had to release the supercharged V8-powered Raptor R to compete with the Ram 1500 TRX, which sports surprisingly similar numbers on paper.
The F-150 Raptor has always been a unique and striking model in Ford’s catalog, and the Raptor R takes those styling cues to the max. The truck’s hood features a more prominent power bulge that Ford says is an inch taller than the standard truck. The Raptor’s trademark “F O R D” grille is still in place, and the bumpers and fender flares come painted black. Ford Performance’s Code Orange color appears throughout the truck, with accents on the grille, hood, and tailgate.
Much of the Raptor R’s styling is functional, as the factory lift kit gives the truck an aggressive look and 13.1 inches of usable ground clearance. The standard Raptor comes with 35-inch tires, but the Raptor R gets 37-inch rubber for better ground clearance and traction.
The Raptor R will offer a spacious, comfortable cabin like the standard F-150. It comes standard with Recaro sport seats upholstered in black leather and Alcantara, and Ford uses carbon fiber trim throughout the cabin.
Ford doesn’t slack when it comes to options for its most important model, and the Raptor R is no exception. Like the standard Raptor, the truck will come with Ford’s excellent Multicontour seats. That said, supply-chain difficulties and the ongoing microchip shortage have caused Ford to sell the trucks without its excellent massaging feature.
Features offered in other F-150 models are available in the Raptor R. A fold-out work surface is available, as well as lockable interior storage and dozens of accessories.
The Raptor R’s engine is the star of the show. It’s the same supercharged 5.2-liter V8 from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It makes 700 hp and 640 pound-feet of torque—improvements of 250 hp and 130 pound-feet of torque over the standard truck. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, and Ford says it redesigned the truck’s front axle and driveshaft to manage the additional torque.
Ford tweaked the V8 for better off-road performance over the road-going GT500. The automaker installed a new pulley to improve low-down torque and power delivery and recalibrated the supercharger for the job. Ford upgrades the engine’s exhaust manifolds, and a deeper oil pan lets the truck tackle steep terrain without losing engine lubrication. The air intake is 66-percent larger than before and gets a higher-flow conical filter.
The Raptor R gets a load of off-road performance tech as well. Several selectable drive modes are standard for terrain such as snow, dirt, and sand. Ford also includes Trail Turn Assist, which locks the inside rear wheel to help the truck rotate and turn much tighter. A one-pedal off-road driving system called Trail Control also comes standard. It functions similar to cruise control but on trails to allow drivers to focus on the terrain ahead while the truck maintains its speed.
Driver aids and safety tech in the Raptor R are identical to the standard Raptor. Ford Co-Pilot360, the automaker’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), comes standard and includes features such as forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning. Ford offers several available ADAS, including:
Ford Sync 4 comes standard in the Raptor R and runs on an expansive 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. It offers mainstream features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and can run multiple functions simultaneously. The larger screen accommodates features like navigation and climate controls in one display, so using the system is less distracting and simpler, especially when the truck is in motion.
The number of hardcore off-road trucks with supercharged V8s is small, as in, there are two. The Ram 1500 TRX is Ford’s most direct competitor. It features a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produces 702 hp and 605 pound-feet of torque—just a bit more power than the Raptor R. Both trucks are enormous, however, and are overkill for all but the most enthusiastic off-roaders.
Ford is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of July 18, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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