More powerful than the Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck, the 2023 Raptor R will deliver thrills and impressive off-road capability.
Here are five things to know about it.
Racy aesthetic
Compared to the base Raptor, the exterior sports a more aggressive, domed hood. It is also about an inch taller. The grille, bumpers and fenders are painted black.
A set of graphics on the rear fenders illustrates a design that reflects the harsh, cracked terrain of the desert. Eight colors will be offered to the consumer.
Inside, the driver settles into the standard Recaro seats. Carbon fiber elements adorn the doors, the media storage compartment cover and the upper parts of the dashboard.
Photo: Ford
Focused on extreme off-road
Called to conquer all types of off-road environments, the Raptor R is equipped with an array of elements to cross anything. First, it’s got huge 37-inch tires and 13.1-inch ground clearance.
Then, it has a five-link rear suspension, a Panhard bar, and 24-inch coil springs. Wheel travel of 13 inches up front and 14.1 inches in the rear aids in the ability to tackle sand and rocks.
Alternatively, FOX Live Valve electronically controlled shocks use height sensors and other information to monitor terrain conditions to adjust the suspension in real time.
Photo: Ford
Shelby GT500 Engine
The hood houses a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine that is borrowed directly from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Engineers recalibrated the supercharger and installed a new pulley to optimize its power for off-roading.
In addition, in order to help the engine breathe better, the air intake volume has been increased by 66% thanks to an enlarged air intake and a conical air filter with higher flow.
Eventually, you end up with a grinder with 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. It’s all mated to a ten-speed transmission.
Photo: Ford
Multiple driving modes
The configuration of the various parameters of the truck is controlled thanks to the MyMode function which allows you to play with the driving modes, the steering and the suspension. As for the exhaust, it is possible to adjust the sound by alternating between Normal, Sport, Silent and Baja modes.
The Raptor R also includes technologies that make off-road driving easier. Trail Steering Assist reduces the turning radius in tight turns.
Let’s not forget the one-pedal drive as well as the Trail Control feature which essentially acts as intelligent cruise control, meaning it can manage the acceleration and braking of the truck.
Photo: Ford
Modern technologies
Although the Raptor R is radical, its interior brings together a series of modern technologies. The multimedia system — equipped with SYNC 4 technology — incorporates a 12-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and software updates are done remotely.
Obviously, the pickup will come with Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies. They incorporate several driving aids such as the pre-collision system (with pedestrian detection) and the blind spot monitoring system.
The price remains unknown at the time of this writing. On the other hand, reservations for the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R have already started and production will start towards the end of the year.