Don’t let anyone tell you that, even on the eve of mass electrification, we’re not living in the golden age of horsepower. After the loons at Ram launched their psychotic TRX, off-road gearheads knew the Blue Oval would be feverishly working on a direct rival – if they weren’t already.
Introducing the 2023 Raptor R – a V8-powered off-road pickup truck with a GT500 engine shoved up its nose. ‘Murica, indeed.
In case you’ve forgotten, here’s a refresher: That mill is a 5.2-liter supercharged DOHC monster with four valves per cylinder and cast aluminum construction. In this application, it’s tuned to belt out 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, sums which should be more than sufficient to churn every sand dune at Glamis into a sandy mist. Fun fact: This thing takes 11.5 quarts of oil compared to the six quarts contained in a 3.5-liter EcoBoost. Speaking of, the former top-dog Raptor (whose owners are assuredly either busy measuring negative-equity for a trade-in or simply running the thing through an industrial-sized shredder) makes 450 hp and 510 units of twist. Handling the power in a Raptor R is a ten-speed automatic.
It wasn’t a simple plug-and-play from the GT500, apparently. Ford Performance is said to have fettled the V8’s supercharger and rejigged its pulley to optimize its power for off-road use, increasing torque delivery at the low-end and mid-range – precisely where most off-roaders spend most of their time driving. In the R, the 5.2L now has exhaust manifolds of a cast stainless steel design to help the things endure the inevitable sandblasting they’ll get from enthusiastic drivers. Also on tap are a unique oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan which enables it to tackle steep grades while keeping the engine oil cool (also helps explain the 11.5 quarts). To enhance engine breathing, air intake volume is increased by two-thirds thanks to a wider inlet and better conical filter. And before you carp – this infographic was the only engine image provided in the embargo materials. Yeah, weird, I know. We’ll take plenty of shots for ya on the first drive.
Its five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain, plus a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs. Those are Fox-branded Live Valve shocks at its corners, tuned to balance ride quality and roll control thanks to suspension height sensors which dictate adjustments for suspension tuning on the fly. Wheel travel of 13 inches in front and 14.1 inches out back approaches that of which some off-road side-by-sides are capable. Pedants will note those figures are about an inch less than a standard Raptor on 35-inch tires but the 37-inch shod R makes up for it with 13.1 inches of ground clearance, 1.1 inches more than a base Raptor on 35s.
Other figures for those of us who like to rhyme off stats in the pub or on Discord? The R’s approach and departure angles jump to 33.1 and 24.9 degrees respectively compared to 31.0 and 22.7 on the base non-R. However, opting for 37-inch tires on the base non-R will provide R-like angles and ground clearance – though no one will mistake it for an R thanks to that truck’s V8 exhaust note.
“We’ve heard our customers demanding the sound and power of a V8 back in Raptor,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. This author will note here he expressed these same thoughts back in 2017 and was regarded with the type of suspicion one would reserve for a lump of enriched uranium that’s suddenly appeared in your refrigerator’s lettuce crisper. I’m glad to be vindicated. R’s dual exhaust system is said to have a true pass-through muffler and active valve system, with modes for Normal, Sport, Quiet, and Baja. These can be adjusted by thumbing a button on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to access multiple settings.
The R does have some unique styling cues compared to the now worthless non-R Raptor, including a hood whose codpiece power dome is an inch taller than its brethren plus a smattering of Code Orange accents. Most notable are the numerous ‘R’ badges in said color, some of which are stand-alone and others which are part and parcel of the Raptor name itself.
Inside, there are standard Recaro-branded seats shod in black leather and Alcantara, top shelf infotainment, and the expected off-road toys like Trail Control and Trail 1-Pedal Drive. As predicted, the tremendous Trail Turn Assist was too good of a trick for the Bronco to keep all to itself. It’s a trick bit of tech which emulates the ability of some off-road racing machines to lock one rear wheel in a tight turn to perform a so-called ‘rear dig’. Here, traction control and other computer gubbins do the work in specific low-speed conditions to significantly reduce the truck’s turning circle when trying to navigate a tight trail. I’ve used it on the Bronco, and it works a treat. With an estimated 50-foot turning circle, the R will need it.
Order books open today with trucks showing up in late 2022. Get cracking, hoss.
[Images: Ford]
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For those who can afford $1,200 lease payments: an very overendowed truck for the very underendowed.
We need an endowment vs what you drove chart.
If your truck is too big then you are very small (rip firefighters/truck drivers/and whoever drives the NASA crawler. His must be a black hole)
But then if you drive a MX5 or Smart car, well you’re tiny too.
I need a chart. TTAC deep dive into this conundrum.
I think the chart should pay particular attention to small hands. glove size charts on Amazon could be a good start.
If my reply contains any typos, please remember that it is a huge challenge to fit my incredibly large fingers onto a standard computer keyboard.
no one around here would question this guy’s tool!!!
you are one of my favorite entertaining commenters on TTAC, by the way.
One of my friends nickname was “Tiny”. Of course he was 6’8″ and 280 pounds. Big hands and big feet. A girl asked him why he was called Tiny, a buddy chimed in, “You were expecting 3 for 3”?.
Well let’s start with the good. There isn’t much so it will be short.
Nice to see that a proper engine is back in the little Raptor. Ford never should have dropped the V8 and this should sound very well.
Ok now the bad:
-We know build quality and overall quality will be awful.
-$110k is insane considering the Xiden inflation and recession.
-Ford can’t build it so why release it?
Aside from the TRX being the better truck, it’s also $30k cheaper. You’d have to be insane to pay over 100k for this turd.
My only hope is that the frame is stronger than cooked spaghetti like some other Raptors.
Coming to a mall near you..
I’ve seen one TRX in my town. Dude drives like a Baja racer from traffic light to traffic light.
As @RHD points out, mechanical phallic posturing. $1,200 lease payment is probably an underestimation.
I’ve seen dozens. Many appear to be owned by contractors. I see a lot of them towing boats and PWC. There are often a few at the mountain biking trailheads where I go- probably as many raptors as mavericks for whatever that’s worth. I’ve seen more than one at the OHV areas.
I would say most don’t really seem to be an endowment issue as much as a new-money issue. My thought would be that considering the number of contractors I’ve seen with these, and with the current rate of new home price slashing/stop sale, etc on new homes- did this Ford come 2 years too late?
“ I’ve seen dozens. Many appear to be owned by contractors.”
Yep same. Wonderful tax write off.
I never understood the link between the size of the old chap and what you drive. Maybe it says more about the person saying it than the driver of the truck.
@MrIcky – too impractical in the Great White North. It would depend on the kind of contractor. All of the logging contractors I know are in diesel crewcab one ton trucks, usually high end stuff. The wealthiest of the bunch that I know had a standard fleet spec white gasser as his bush truck. His toy is a helicopter.
Did Ford come to the party too late?
Perhaps. With the current price of fuel, I don’t see as many full sized pickups on the road.
When I say contractor, I was meaning construction/building contractors. Construction has been out of control in my area for a while. The price of fuel doesn’t really seem to be a consideration for the people buying these vehicles. But I’m thinking the interest rates on homes may be. Many giant new subdivisions that were like ant-hives 30 days ago are suddenly kind of quiet.
@MrIcky – these trucks are the working man’s/blue collar version of a Ferrari.
A neighbour is a building contractor. He has an F350 diesel Lariat. His dad has a F150 Platinum. I know a capital projects manager with a F150 Platinum.
Raptors, TRX’S, or even Power Wagons don’t sell well in my region. Bro-dozer HD’s are fairly common.
“Coming to a mall near you..”
Likely parked next to a BMW “Competition” model.
Why all the hate*? And what’s wrong with leasing?
* jealously obviously…
Larger trucks aren’t my thing but I really don’t understand why some internet commenters are offended by them in a way that wouldn’t happen on a CT5 Blackwing or S65 AMG or Range Rover SVR.
@ajla – it’s definitely a recurring theme at TTAC. Buy what ever you want. I’ve owned every size of truck based on my needs/desires at that time.
A power company bucket truck is large but in my area are never seen speeding, tailgating, disrespecting other drivers. Haven’t heard anyone complain about those.
Sounds like a local problem to me.
Mostly because those other vehicles are compatible with what’s around them, both in terms of crash safety and in terms of not taking up two or more parking spots (and/or blocking the aisles) in every lot.
“the former top-dog Raptor”
And that’s the problem with buying the new top-dog *because* it’s the top dog. Your purchase is soon very yesterday.
Gotta stay happy with your purchase.
135 HP per liter am I doing that right?
Yes sir you are. Pretty impressive for an “old fashioned” V8
Supercharger > Turbocharger
(I don’t want to say I told you so, but… yes I do.)
why not both?
I just came here for the “driving a big truck means you’re compensating” comments. I was not disappointed. I look at drivers of such behemoths as the raptor as attention seekers more than anything. Kind of like coal rollers, ricers, tesla drivers, BMW/MB drivers, you know, all the other groups that are probably driving like a-holes. :)
Many who buy this truck will never take them off road nor will they tow or haul things. Many of these trucks will sit in the garage and be taken out for a Sunday drive and special occasions. Ford will sell off all of these they can make and many will be held on to as future collectors since these will be among the last of the high performance vehicles especially if and when manufacturers stop making ICE vehicles. I am not criticizing these as Ford has a right to make money if there are people who will buy these trucks. It is your business what you buy and drive and someone who can afford this truck is not worried about mpgs or the cost of gas. I am sure this truck has a speed limiter because I cannot image anyone safely driving this truck above 120 mph even though it has the power to do it, it would not be safe in a high profile vehicle and Ford will not want to be responsible for anyone who would drive that fast. Still I can see the appeal of these trucks but then its not for everyone and it is definitely not priced for everyone.
Many were asking Ford to offer a high performance V-8 in the Raptor again and Ford listened.
Why does anything with this much power and torqueneed a 10 speed? That’s for little cammy engines that you have to keep spun up.
This is a good post. I mean if I knew anything about automotive powertrains I would probably think this is a good post. As things stand, you should probably ignore my opinion… or do the opposite.
Here’s a good guideline in 2022: Buy the latest VW. They seem to have the whole automotive thing figured out pretty well. Right? (Might want to lease it, just in case.) Better yet, be an automotive writer and drive it for 4 days max. The transmission will probably be fine for four days. Then you can see the number “10” and note how it is higher than “8” or “3+1” or other lesser numbers. Newer = better. More = better. (Automotive writer = expert. Old guy in the corner = crazy.)
I am going to guess that it is because that is the standard automatic transmission available in F-150s. This transmission was jointly developed by Ford and GM.
I would guess it’s for the same reason a semi has 18 forward gears and two reverse – fuel efficiency and towing ability? Although semi’s have a very narrow rev range…
The only reason I can think of to have that many gears is for fuel economy, and if anyone buys one of these with that in mind he has a defective brain. I rented an Ecoboost Mustang a few years ago to take to a track night (sorry Budget) and that 10 speed shifts too much. A Porsche 911 Carrera S has to make do with a mere 8, and it has a top speed of 190 mph. The PDK also shifts in an eyeblink.
If you wanted to be a purist you would have a 6 speed manual in the Raptor but then the take rate might not be as good. This truck would be a blast to drive with a manual.
Too much power for a manual and your typical buyer. Burnt clutches and bent/broken components would be the result. Manuals are fun offroad but requires some skill and finesse.
There are some of us who have driven manuals for years but yes many would destroy a manual and don’t know how to drive them. My point was this truck would be more engaging to drive with a manual particularly off road but then there would not be as many takers for this truck with a manual. I have met a number of men in their 50s and 60s that have never driven a manual which to me I learned on a manual and it was a right of passage into adulthood. I wouldn’t have a problem with the 10 speed automatic in the Raptor but it is just not my kind of truck. I believe the 10 speed is used in all half ton Ford trucks and the same is true with half ton Chevrolets and GMCs (it is the only transmission offered). It is not so much a matter of fuel efficiency in that it is the only transmission offered for F-150s.
One would assume that anyone 60 or older would have started out driving manual transmission vehicles. It might be a rural versus urban phenomenon. My dad worked in logging and construction so I learned how to operate gravel trucks, I was shown how to run a loader and bulldozer. Everyone’s pickup had a stick. Most people did not have 4×4’s.