Ford F-150 Raptor R is 'most extreme performance truck'

MANILA: Ford unleashes the new F-150 Raptor R — the fastest, most powerful, most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet.

All three generations of F-150 Raptor have been inspired by the extreme desert-racing trophy trucks that compete in the Baja 1000. Designed and engineered by Ford Performance, the 2023 F-150 Raptor R is the closest yet to delivering this type of racing performance.

“Raptor R is our ultimate Raptor,” Ford Performance Chief Engineer Carl Widmann stated.  “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 heart of the F-150 Raptor R is a new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 700hp and 640 lb.-ft. of torque to give it incredible desert-running power. Ford Performance dropped the most powerful engine in its lineup — previously seen in the Mustang Shelby GT500 – then optimized it for Raptor-level of off-road prowess and Built Ford Tough reliability.

And so, the most torque-dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup was born, Ford said. 

Ford Performance recalibrated this V8 engine’s supercharger and installed a new pulley to optimize its power for off-road use, increasing torque delivery at the low- and mid-range of the revs.  Thanks to these changes, the F-150 Raptor R delivers more performance at the speeds where customers spend most of their time driving.

To maintain the extreme off-road durability the Raptor brand is known for, Ford Performance upgraded many bits in the engine. The original engine’s exhaust manifolds were changed to a cast stainless steel design, a unique oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan enable the truck to tackle aggressive grades while keeping the engine oil cool.

An air intake volume increased by 66% via a wider air intake inlet and a higher-flow, higher-efficiency conical air filter allow the engine to breathe better. 

Behind the F-150 Raptor's goal to conquer brutal off-road environments is the capability and durability that comes from more than a decade of Ford expertise in engineering and torture testing of high-performance trucks. Ford Performance upgraded the base truck’s transmission and driveline to help ensure Raptor R can smoothly handle the power from the V8 engine. 

The F-150 Raptor R packs a 10-speed SelectShift transmission with improved calibration. The truck features 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.

For the torque converter, a heavy-duty turbine damper and four-pinion rear output assembly make 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 driving modes Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. These modes can be adjusted in the MyMode feature, in which drivers can tweak the truck's drive, steering, suspension modes and others. These changes can be saved as a single mode with the press of the “R” button on the steering wheel.

Matched to the F-150 Raptor R's supercharged V8 is 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. 

Photos from Ford

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