The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor is a beast of a truck. Its twin-turbocharged V6 cranks 450 horsepower, pushing it to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. But Ford has determined to dial up the Raptor’s functionality by introducing the brand new Raptor R, which takes issues additional up a notch. An engine swap is the largest improve that the 2023 Raptor R will get over the usual Raptor. Instead of the twin-turbo V6, the stronger Raptor comes with the 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 sourced from the Mustang GT500. Here, the eight-cylinder engine cranks out 700 horsepower.

But a high-output V8 isn’t the only upgrade you get in the Raptor R for the $109,990 MSRP. The $30,000 distinction additionally offers you a ton of different goodies that make the Raptor R much more succesful on off-road terrain. In this text, we now have compiled an inventory of ten issues that make the 2023 Ford Raptor R the final word King of Off-Road. So learn alongside if you wish to know why this full-sized truck nonetheless reigns supreme for factory-made high-speed desert runners.

In order to provide the most recent and correct data potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Ford and different authoritative sources, together with Hennessey Performance.

10 Shelby GT500’s 5.2L Supercharged Predator V-8

700-Horsepower Under The Hood

The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 in the usual Raptor cranks 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Compared to that, the 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8 in the Raptor R produces 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. That is a distinction of 250 horsepower and 130 pound-feet.

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Engine Specifications

(Performance knowledge sourced from Ford and Zeroto60times.com)

The 5.2-liter supercharged V8 is the most powerful engine in Ford’s line-up. It’s the identical engine beforehand accessible on the S550 Mustang GT500. Ford has made a number of updates to the engine to optimize it for high-speed desert working, lowering its energy output from 780 horsepower within the efficiency coupe to 700 horsepower within the Raptor R. But the height torque has been elevated, making this model of the Predator probably the most “torque-dense” supercharged V8 ever fitted to a pickup truck.

9 Upgraded Engine Components For Peak Off-Road Performance

High-Performance Engine Internals And Advanced Cooling System

Ford hasn’t simply picked the supercharged Predator V8 from the GT500 and dropped it beneath the hood of the Raptor R. The engine has been totally labored upon and given a number of new high-performance components to optimize it for the best way it’s going to be utilized in this high-performance off-road truck for high-speed dune bashing.

The 5.2-liter Predator V8 Has Been Upgraded For The Raptor R

• The engine will get solid stainless-steel exhaust headers to enhance exhaust movement and improve energy.
• Ford has added an even bigger solid aluminum oil pan to make sure optimum engine lubrication when going over aggressive inclines.
• The V8 now has a singular air consumption system with a conical air filter that will increase the air consumption quantity by 66% over the usual Raptor.
• The Raptor R will get a singular engine oil cooler and supercharger intercooler for off-road driving.

Besides enhancing the engine with superior internals, Ford has additionally tweaked its 2.65-liter supercharger to make sure peak efficiency for off-road use. The updates, which embody minor recalibration and the addition of a brand new pulley, make the supercharger ship extra torque within the low and mid-range of the ability band.

8 Heavy Duty Transmission And Driveline Components

More Robust Torque Converter And New Front Axle

The larger energy and torque output from the larger V8 will stress the usual driveline parts extra. To be sure that the Raptor R places the supercharged engine’s energy down most effectively throughout off-road use, Ford has additionally overhauled the transmission and different important driveline components accessible on the usual Raptor for the Raptor R.

The Raptor R Gets The Following Upgrades Over The Standard Raptor

• A brand new entrance axle with heavy-duty provider casting and aluminum-ribber structural cowl
• Unique Driveshaft with a bigger diameter
• A specifically tuned torque converter with heavy-duty turbine dampers
• Four-pinion rear output meeting

The Raptor R comes with the identical 10-speed SelectShift computerized transmission because the Raptor. But, right here, Ford has recalibrated the gearbox to match the engine’s larger energy output. According to the model, all these updates will permit for a smoother and extra environment friendly approach to handle the extra torque from the V8.

7 Off-Road Optimized Baja Mode

Multiple Driving Modes For Different Driving Conditions

The Raptor R is not locked into one setting for engine energy supply, suspension, and steering suggestions. Like the usual Raptor, the R has a number of driving modes calibrated to ship one of the best efficiency on and off-road.

Raptor R Comes With Normal, Sport, Quiet, and Baja Modes

• Driving modes could be adjusted within the MyMode function.
• Switching between the modes permits for a change in a number of settings associated to energy supply, steering response, and suspension calibration.
• The “R” button can save a single mode for straightforward entry.
• Baja mode has been optimized for peak engine efficiency and high-speed dealing with in off-road use. Besides altering different settings, it raises the entrance spring charge by 5% to make sure a snug trip regardless of the terrain.

Changing the driving modes additionally modifications the exhaust observe of the Raptor R. The high-performance truck comes with a twin exhaust system with Ford’s true-pass-through muffler and an lively valve system to make it sound as throaty as possible.

6 Fox Live Valve Shock Absorbers

Electronically Controlled Dampers With Height Sensors

A extra highly effective V8 engine, beefier transmission, and heavy-duty driveline components give the Raptor R an edge over the usual Raptor. But this high-performance truck shines off-road with its wonderful suspension setup, as Ford has ensured that it will get probably the greatest in enterprise – Fox Live Valve Shocks.

A Great Suspension Setup Makes The Raptor R One Of The Best Off Road Trucks

• Raptor R has a five-link rear suspension with longer trailing arms for optimum axle place on tough landscapes.
• To guarantee satisfactory stability when going over desert terrain at excessive speeds, the Raptor R comes with a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs.
• The truck has Fox Live Value shocks with electronically managed dampers and top sensors.

The sensors on the Fox shocks can monitor the terrain a number of occasions each second and regulate accordingly to offer a secure trip. They additionally provide 13 inches of suspension journey on the entrance and 14.1 on the again, which is a lot to go over difficult obstacles.

5 Bigger Tires With Higher Ground Clearance

Beadlock-Capable Wheels

The Raptor R rides on 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, accessible as an possibility on the F-150 Raptor. The customary truck comes with 35-inch tires wrapped round 17-inch Beadlock-capable wheels. The wheel measurement stays the identical for the Raptor R, however right here, these are made from cast aluminum as an alternative of solid aluminum wheels, which can be found on the Raptor.

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor Vs F-150 Raptor R: Ground Clearance

(Data sourced from Ford)

The Raptor R additionally has a better floor clearance than the usual truck. It affords a trip top of 13.1 inches, in comparison with 12.0 inches on the Raptor. The remainder of the measurements stay the identical between the 2 vehicles. The R, nevertheless, affords a better tow ranking of 8,700 kilos, up 500 kilos over the Raptor.

4 Better Approach, Departure, And Break-over Angles

Better Mobility On Rough Terrain

The customary Raptor already has spectacular method, departure, and break-over angles, making it agile on off-road terrain. But the raised trip top and larger tires give the Raptor R a slight edge over the usual truck, making it extra maneuverable when going off the tarmac.

Raptor R Has A Superior Approach, Departure, And Break-Over Angles Than The Standard Raptor

(Data sourced from Ford)

Though the size and width of the 2 vehicles stay the identical, the Raptor R additionally has a bigger entrance (74.3 inches in comparison with 74.0 inches) and rear (73.9 inches in comparison with 73.6 inches) monitor width than the Raptor.

3 Revised Exterior Styling

Exclusive Code Orange ‘R’ Badges

To make the Raptor R stand out, Ford has given it a bunch of unique decals and badges on the surface. Besides a darker shade for sure trim items, the supercharged Raptor additionally comes with an even bigger and meaner-looking energy dome on the hood. Ford says that not solely does it give an aggressive look to the truck, nevertheless it additionally helps extract bigger portions of heat air from the engine.

The 2023 Raptor R Comes With Several Visual Tweaks

• Blacked out entrance grille, bumpers, and fender flares.
• Code Orange ‘R’ badges on the grille, energy dome, and tailgate.
• Cracked desert earth graphic on the rear fenders

2 Unique Touches Exclusive To The Raptor R’s Sporty Cockpit

The Raptor R retains a lot of the practicality of the usual Ford F-150’s cabin, however this being probably the most excessive high-performance mannequin within the lineup up receives a number of distinctive touches to set it aside from teh remainder of the lineup. The exterior styling tweaks carry over to the within of the Raptor R

Raptor R Embelishments In The Sporty Cockpit Include

• Recaro sports activities seats completed in black leather-based with Alcantara suede
• Genuine carbon fiber trim on the dashboard and instrument panel, media bin door, and door pads
• Code Orange accents on the seats, dashboard, and middle armrest

1 Smart Off-Road Technology

Standard 12-inch Touch Screen With SYNC 4

Besides dropping a 700-horsepower supercharged V-8 beneath its hood, upgrading its transmission and suspension parts, and including a bunch of visible updates, Ford has additionally given the Raptor R a large equipment of off-road tech. These options are designed to make navigating this big truck on tough terrain simpler.

The Raptor R Comes With A Bunch Of Off-Road Driver Assistance Tech

• Trail-Turn Assist: It reduces the turning radius of this truck in order that it could possibly effortlessly take tight turns.
• Ford Trail Control: An off-road cruise management that accelerates and brakes robotically to navigate on tough terrain.
• Trail 1-Pedal Drive: Allows the motive force to manage the throttle and brake from one pedal to make going over difficult obstacles simpler.

The Raptor R has a 12-inch central touchscreen loaded with Ford’s SYNC 4 tech. The system additionally affords Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Connectivity, and over-the-air updates.