About ten years ago, Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador LP700-4 at the Geneva Motor Show, a supercar with a 700hp V12 engine, fast forward a decade, and Ford unleashes the new F-150® Raptor R™ – the fastest, most powerful, most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet, with a 5.2-Liter supercharged V8 that pumps out 700hp and 640 lb.-ft. of torque … in a very capable off-road truck!
“Raptor R is our ultimate Raptor,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance’s chief engineer. “When customers experience 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.”
The engine found in this new Ford Raptor R has been derived from the famous Mustang Shelby GT500 but has been optimized for use in off-road situations, the favorite playground for the Raptor, this V8 is now the most torque-dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup, after a recalibration by Ford Performance we now get an increase in low-end and mid-range torque delivery to get the Raptor R moving at speeds where these customers do most of the driving … on the sand. New cast stainless steel manifolds, a unique oil cooler and filter, a deeper oil pan to allow tackling grades while maintaining engine cooling.
To make sure all this power gets transmitted to the four wheels on this new Raptor R, there is a recalibrated 10-speed SelectShift transmission, together with a new front axle with a more robust, higher-strength carrier casting and an aluminum-ribbed structural cover to manage the powertrain’s added torque, as well as a unique larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft. A new, specially tuned torque converter with a heavy-duty turbine damper and four-pinion rear output assembly makes the truck even better equipped to transfer torque and provide a smoother powertrain feel when driving both on- and off-road.
Drivers get even more control over how their Raptor R expresses its additional power, courtesy of a unique dual exhaust system with a true pass-through muffler and active valve system, with modes for Normal, Sport, Quiet, and Baja. These can be adjusted in the MyMode™ feature, allowing drivers to customize multiple settings – including drive, steering, suspension modes, and others – and save one as a single mode easily accessed with the press of the “R” button on the steering wheel.
If the heart of Raptor R is the supercharged V8, the soul remains in its incredibly capable suspension. The five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain, a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs – all optimized for outstanding stability while traversing desert terrain at high speeds. Advanced FOX Live Valve shocks are tuned to balance ride quality and roll control on- and off-road. These electronically controlled dampers use suspension height sensors and other sensors to monitor terrain conditions independently, hundreds of times a second, while adjusting suspension tuning accordingly. Wheel travel of 13 inches in front and 14.1 inches in back facilitates Raptor R’s ability to traverse sand and rocks with outstanding capability.
“We’ve heard our customers demanding the sound and power of a V8 back in Raptor,” said Widmann. “That’s not something we were going to rush. This supercharged 5.2-liter V8 is the ideal fusion of high-density power paired with the third generation Raptor’s all-new rear suspension and shocks to deliver a one-two punch that goes far beyond the sum of its parts.”
Each drive mode is tuned to account for the added power of the supercharged V8, including an optimized Baja mode for maximum performance and control in high-speed off-roading. A 5% increase in the front spring rate helps maintain comfortable ride quality, while Raptor R boasts class-leading* 13.1-inch ground clearance and standard class-exclusive 37-inch tires straight from the factory for improved obstacle clearing.
The most powerful Raptor yet takes the off-road truck’s purpose-built design legacy up a notch, with unique styling that further drives home its supercharged capability. A larger, more aggressively styled power dome on the hood sits nearly 1 inch taller than on the base Raptor, helping extract warm air from underneath. Iconic F O R D grille, bumpers, and fender flares painted black underscore its menacing looks.
“Raptor R is visually designed like a desert predator to catch the attention of Raptor customers and off-road enthusiasts,” said Tom Liu, Raptor R lead designer. “There are details big and small – from the more aggressive hood air extractor to the Code Orange ‘R’ badges – that visually communicate next level off-road performance under the Raptor R banner.”
Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange accents include a unique ‘R’ badge on the grille, power dome, and tailgate. A special graphics package on the rear fenders features a unique design that mirrors the harsh, cracked desert earth, reinforcing the type of environment Raptor R is built to conquer.
That aggressive feel carries over to a black interior. Standard Recaro® seats sport a combination of black leather and Alcantara® suede – cleverly placed for added grip when the terrain gets nasty. Genuine carbon fiber adorns the doors, media bin door, and upper parts of the instrument panel, featuring a unique tri-axial weave designed to convey Raptor R’s combination of performance, toughness, and durability.
Like the rest of the Raptor family, Raptor R comes standard with a suite of smart technology to make off-roading easier. Trail Turn Assist** allows drivers to shrink their turning radius on tight turns and go even further off-road. Ford Trail Control™ – think cruise control for off-roading – lets drivers select a set speed and steer through challenging conditions while the truck handles throttle and braking. Trail 1-Pedal Drive† allows customers to control throttle and braking with just one pedal to make extreme off-roading like rock crawling even easier.
Keeping you connected is a standard 12-inch touch screen with SYNC® 4 technology, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ compatibility††. Raptor R also benefits from Ford Power-Up over-the-air software update capability‡. These wireless updates can offer improvements throughout the vehicle – from the SYNC system to enhanced quality, capability, and convenience upgrades that improve the ownership experience over time.
