Shelby GT500 power means an even more extreme desert-running pickup.
FordThe fabled 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is finally here. After months of waiting, the curtains have been pulled back on the most powerful Raptor ever, complete with a 700-hp supercharged V-8 sourced from the Mustang Shelby GT500, along with a host of other upgrades.
At the heart of the Raptor R is the new powertrain. For the first time since 2014, there are eight cylinders under the hood of this truck. But it’s not just any V-8. It’s the same 5.2-liter supercharged engine from the Mustang Shelby GT500, the car that won our Performance Car of the Year award in 2021. But power figures are a bit different: 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque for the Raptor R—60 fewer horses and 15 more lb-ft than the Shelby.
Ford
That’s thanks to a number of changes made to the engine to ensure it would be ready for life in a pickup that also happens to double as a desert runner. The original exhaust manifolds have been swapped out for cast stainless steel units, while the air intake has grown by 66 percent thanks to a new conical air filter. There’s also a new pulley for the supercharger, a bigger oil cooler, and a deeper oil pan.
Of course, the engine isn’t the only thing new on the Raptor R. The rest of the drivetrain and chassis has been subsequently upgraded to handle the extra power and speed. The 10-speed automatic transmission gets a recalibration and a new heavy-duty torque converter, while the front axle has been revamped with a new, more robust casting. It’s connected to a specific larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft.
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The Raptor R gets the normal Raptor’s 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires as standard, with wheel travel of 13 inches at the front and 14.1 inches in the rear thanks to Fox Live Valve shocks. Ford bumped up spring rates in the front by five percent to ensure the ride quality remains the same.
Styling changes made for the Raptor R are more subtle. Most of the design carries over, but there are still a few key changes. The hood’s “power dome” sits one inch higher than the standard Raptor’s. There are a handful of accents throughout the exterior painted in orange, including the R badge on the grille, hood, and tailgate. There’s also a specific graphics package on the rear fenders.
Inside you’ll find standard Recaro seats covered in leather and Alcantara, along with genuine carbon trim on the doors, center console, and parts of the dash.
Ford
Though order books for the Raptor R open today, pricing has not yet been released. Expect the V-8-powered desert runner to cost significantly more than its base twin-turbo V-6 sibling. Production will kick off in fall 2022 at Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan truck plant.
Keyword: 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Gets the 700-HP Supercharged V-8 It Always Deserved