Ford Motor Co.‘s 2023 F-150 Raptor R provides eye-popping V-8 punch to the automaker’s off-road lineup, but it surely will not supplant the Ram 1500 TRX because the apex predator of the full-size efficiency pickup section.
Ford stated the Raptor R’s 5.2-litre V-8 engine will generate 700 hp and 640 pound-feet of torque, just under the TRX’s 702 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque. However Ford officers argue the Raptor R’s anticipated curb weight of 5,950 kilos — about 400 kilos lighter than the TRX — will make it a extra agile, sturdy beast.
In Canada, that might make it about 181 kilograms lighter than the two,698-kg Ram 1500 TRX
“Ultimately, two or three horsepower does not actually matter,” Tony Greco, program supervisor of F-150 Raptor, advised sibling publication Automotive Information. “It actually comes all the way down to the power-to-weight ratio. It is a nimble, nimble monster and that is what it takes to be quick within the surroundings we wish to compete in and dominate.”
The Raptor R, meant for desert-racing fans, is Ford’s strongest Raptor-badged automobile thus far. Whereas the model has been successful for Ford, and was not too long ago expanded to the Bronco nameplate, fans have been clamouring for V-8 energy for years.
“Raptor R is our final Raptor,” Carl Widmann, Ford Efficiency chief engineer, stated in an announcement. “When clients expertise Raptor R within the desert and past, it’s going to make the hairs on the again of their necks get up.”
Ford already makes use of the 5.2-litre V-8 engine within the Mustang Shelby GT500, however officers say it has been upgraded for off-roading within the Raptor R.
The supercharger has been recalibrated, and engineers put in a brand new pulley to extend energy and torque density. Ford upgraded the engine’s exhaust manifolds with a chrome steel design and distinctive oil cooler and filter. In addition they upped the air consumption to assist maintain the engine cooler.
The Raptor R includes a new entrance axle with higher-strength service casting, in addition to a larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft and specifically tuned torque converter.
The truck comes with the five-link rear suspension that debuted on the 2021 Raptor and consists of longer trailing arms and taller coil springs to reinforce stability, in addition to superior, specifically tuned Fox reside valve shocks.
It additionally comes with 37-inch tires commonplace.
Design-wise, the Raptor R includes a hood that sits 1 inch increased than on the bottom mannequin, and comes with distinctive badging and accents, but it surely does not deviate wildly from that on the common Raptor.
“We did not wish to make it concerning the aesthetics,” Greco stated. “We needed to make it about what’s below the hood.”
The Raptor R’s introduction comes as Ford continues to seek out success within the off-road house, increasing automobile traces with new variants and subbrands equivalent to Timberline, FX4 and Tremor. Todd Eckert, Ford’s truck group advertising supervisor, stated he isn’t involved about slicing the market too skinny as a result of Raptor R appeals to a selected kind of fanatic who enjoys desert racing.
“We have actually tried to scale them to hit the fitting clients when it comes to the expertise they’re on the lookout for,” he stated. “Off-roading is vital to truck. We wish to have choices to decide on the fitting expertise for them and their wants.”