Petrolheads arise again! Ford confirms that the upcoming Raptor R super-truck will rumble the streets again with a V8!
What’s more American than a bald eagle and a cheeseburger, you may ask? Of course, it’s a giant pickup truck with an earth-shattering V8 powertrain. Taking up a big chunk of the pickup market share is Ford’s F-150. However, its stronger brother, the Raptor, helped kickstart the super-truck power games between the big American carmakers. Although it initially launched with a big block V8, it was soon replaced with the now-familiar 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine that makes a respectable 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
Sadly, the high-output V6 is no match for the RAM TRX, which packs a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine that pumps out a whopping 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. As of now, this makes it the most powerful pickup truck, but not for too long.
Earlier last year, Ford teased us with a snapshot of a more powerful version of the Raptor coming in 2022. As of today, the Dearborn marque released a document confirming the arrival of the ‘Raptor R’ with the following text: “After revealing the third-generation F-150 Raptor — the best performing, most connected Raptor yet — for the 2021 model year, the off-road legend adds a new Raptor R for 2022. Raptor R will feature a V8 engine.”
Sources point towards the 5.2 L Predator V8 from the Shelby GT500 for the ‘R.’ In its current state, the supercharged V8 whips out 760 hp and 625 lb-ft. Citing practicality and utility constraints, Ford will most likely detune the engine, which should still trounce the TRX in the sheer horsepower war. Due to its increased output, the Raptor R could also receive the TREMEC 7-speed DCT for blazing quick shifts.
Provided things go as per plan; the Raptor R could arrive as early as Spring 2022. Price-wise, expect the newest truck to be within arm’s reach of the RAM TRX, approximately between $70-80k.
Stay tuned for more information!
Gallery: 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor
