Ford has whipped the wraps off the F-150 Raptor R, the most powerful Raptor ever produced…
Built for high-performance off-roading, the F-150 Raptor R is equipped with the most potent engine in Ford Performance’s arsenal. The 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine — previously seen on the Mustang Shelby GT500 — produces a whopping 515 kW and 868 Nm of torque “to give it incredible desert-running power”.
“It will make the hairs on the back of the driver’s neck stand up”
The Blue Oval brand says, “[The] F-150 Raptor is about more than going fast – it must conquer brutal off-road environments.” To achieve this, the firm has upgraded the calibration of the base F-150 Raptor’s 10-speed ‘SelectShift’ transmission and revised the driveline “to ensure the F-150 Raptor R can smoothly handle what its V8 can throw at it”.
A new front axle featuring a more robust, higher-strength carrier casting has been fitted, too. An aluminium-ribbed structural cover has been added to manage the powertrain’s torque and the larger-diameter aluminium driveshaft. The five-link rear suspension has been equipped with “extra-long” trailing arms “to better maintain axle position on rough terrain”. The “advanced” Fox Live Valve shocks have been tuned to balance ride quality.
The V8 soundtrack is provided by a “unique” dual exhaust system. This set-up features a pass-through muffler and an active valve system.
“Raptor R is our ultimate Raptor,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance’s chief engineer. “When customers experience [the] Raptor R in the desert and beyond, it will make the hairs on the back of their necks stand up – and they’ll love every second of it.”
