700 horsepower, 37-inch tires, $109,000 starting price. These are BIG numbers that describe the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, a model new eight-cylinder mannequin of Ford’s trendy off-road truck. The distinctive Raptor debuted better than a decade up to now powered by a V8 engine, nonetheless downsized to a twin-turbocharged V6 for the second period and carried it over into the current third-generation model. We thought the latest Raptor was unimaginable, V6 and all, nonetheless a small contingent of Ford followers pleaded with the automaker to ship once more the sweet-sounding V8, significantly after Ram delivered the TRX.

Not solely did Ford oblige, it dropped inside the 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8 from the Shelby GT500. It produces 700 hp on this utility (250 hp better than the underside model) and a meaty 640 lb-ft of torque. Eagle-eyed readers may stage out that the Ram 1500 TRX hastwo full horsepower better than the Raptor R. Huge fail by Ford, correct? Successfully, after driving the Raptor R by means of Michigan’s Silver Lake Sand Dunes, we stumbled on there may be prone to be further to this truck than its power output.

Minimal R Particulars

Ford didn’t go overboard trying to inform aside the Raptor R from the same old EcoBoost model. It’s already an outrageous machine, so why restore what is just not broken? R-specific touches embrace an affect bulge hood that sits an inch better and helps extract warmth air, an optionally out there decal package deal deal made up of little amount eights (a nod to the engine), and a few Code Orange R badges. That’s it. Eight color selections will be discovered, along with Avalanche, Azure Gray, Carbonized Gray, Agate Black, Antimatter Blue, Code Orange, Iconic Silver, Oxford White, and Code Orange.

This truck is large, driving on 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain KO2 Tires tires as customary wrapped spherical 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. It’s worth noting the Raptor’s principal rival, the Ram TRX, solely presents 35-inch tires. There’s 13.1 inches of flooring clearance up entrance with a metallic skid plate beneath, merely in case you deal with to smash proper right into a boulder.

A Premium Truck Inside

The Raptor simply is not basically essentially the most luxurious F-150 trim stage, nonetheless it is positively not lacking on choices. Aside from a few creature comforts like therapeutic therapeutic massage seats and hands-free BlueCruise, the Raptor will get nearly every cool piece of tech that’s in the meanwhile provided inside the F-150 lineup. Commonplace choices embrace a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a totally digital gauge cluster, heated/ventilated suede/leather-based Recaro seats, heated rear seats, and a power-folding shifter that frees up room for a flat work flooring. As a nod to the Raptor’s sporting performance, the within consists of actual carbon fiber trim and a few Code Orange accents. The one accessible alternative inside is a panoramic glass moonroof.

The V8 Is Once more, And Greater Than Ever

Beneath the hood, the 450-hp V6 will get subbed for a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque, nonetheless going out to all 4 wheels by means of a 10-speed automated transmission. No Raptor has ever been this potent. Ford doesn’t quote a 0-60 mph time, nonetheless the Raptor R will handily outmatch the same old truck’s 5.6-second time. Will or not it is sooner than an F-150 Lightning, though? We’ll must line them up for a drag race to hunt out out.

Ford made some monumental strides to make the EcoBoost sound increased for this latest period, and to the company’s credit score rating, these modifications have been environment friendly. Nonetheless subsequent to the Raptor R, the V6’s exhaust phrase merely can not study. This V8 fires to life with a menacing roar and shouts down the road like a muscle vehicle. There’s a quiet mode do you have to care about not disturbing the neighbors, nonetheless we take into consideration owners will put the exhaust in Baja Mode (advisable for off-road use solely) for optimum loudness.

Drives Like A Raptor, Nonetheless MORE

The underside Raptor is probably going probably the most well-rounded vans money should purchase. It choices a variety of essentially the most refined suspension within the market, giving unparalleled off-road performance and on-road comfort. The Raptor R takes that technique and elevates it. The whole thing you’ll be able to do in a Raptor, you’ll be able to do sooner inside the Raptor R. Need to climb an infinite sand dune? Correct up it. Want to have a drag race on the seaside? Good luck to irrespective of truck feels brave enough to line up subsequent to you. This truck explodes out of the outlet with such ferocity it feels similar to the engine must flee from under the hood. Was all this additional power strictly important? Fully not. Nonetheless it is hilarious.

Ford consists of a variety of on- and off-road drive modes, nonetheless we left it in Baja Mode for our day of satisfying inside the sand dunes. Aside from minor R-specific tuning, the FOX Keep Valve shocks are principally the similar as within the common Raptor. Blended with the massive tires, even a frightening have an effect on inside the Raptor turns into nothing better than a snug jolt. And since there’s rather a lot power, no obstacle seems too imposing to beat.

Keep in mind how we talked about that the TRX’s two-horsepower profit is just not worth stressing about? That’s on account of the Raptor R weighs 489 kilos decrease than the Ram. The burden profit is noticeable, significantly when maneuvering the truck spherical at extreme speeds. It may very well be the scale of a house, nonetheless the Raptor R feels spry like a WRX on unfastened sand. The steering is surprisingly precise, with Comfort, Common, and Sport modes to differ the load for quite a few driving circumstances. And do you have to happen to hunt out your self airborne, a built-in bounce detector will prohibit wheel spin and the spectacular suspension will ship you once more proper right down to Earth in a managed vogue.

Massive Truck, Massive Worth

The F-150 Raptor has change right into a standing picture amongst pickup vans, rather a lot so that it’s turn into troublesome to hunt out one on the $76,775 starting MSRP. Load one up with the 37-inch tires and all the alternative goodies, and it’s simple to technique the $90,000 mark. That looks as if an infinite amount for a pickup truck, nonetheless primarily based totally on the crazy vendor markups we’ve got seen, purchasers are eager to pay far more.

Ford realized that’s the case, which is why the Raptor R instruments group is listed as a $30,575 alternative. In several phrases, the V8-powered Raptor begins at $109,000. A Ram TRX is considerably cheaper, starting at $80,590, nonetheless it’d merely surpass the six-figure mark when outfitted along with the Raptor R.

Verdict: The Good Present Of Further

Does anyone really want an F-150 Raptor R? We doubt it. However when someone has virtually 100 grand to spend on an off-road toy, chances are the $30,000 up-charge for the R is just a drop inside the ocean. And if that particular person can afford the worth tag, they may positively afford to fill it up. Though we love the EcoBoost Raptor, the excess of the R is so intoxicating we’d not hesitate to shell out the extra cash.

Nonetheless is the Raptor R increased than its closest rival, the Ram TRX? We’d must drive them back-to-back, nonetheless primarily based totally on our experience in every vans, the Raptor R will get the nod due to its weight profit and superior coping with traits. Should you occur to’re out there available in the market for a supercharged V8 super truck, there in the meanwhile are two fantastic selections.