Ford recently revealed that they managed to fit their latest F-150 Raptor with an extremely powerful V-8 again – the very same supercharged 5.2-liter included with the Shelby GT500. This impressive engine upgrade is the reasoning for the new 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R being its own pickup model. It also shows that the blue oval company’s got a head start for heavyweight contenders among pickup truck enthusiasts around the world.
Ford stated that production is scheduled to begin before the end of 2022 at the company’s Dearborn, Mich., truck plant. The Ford F-series, which encompasses all F-150 trucks, is debatably the company’s most important vehicle across the entire lineup. In the U.S. alone, Ford sold approximately 726,000 F-series trucks last year out of a total of 1.9 million 2021 units. Those estimates include the eight distinct F-150 trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, Tremor, and Raptor.
For 2023, the Ford Performance team redesigned the V8 engine and added a new pulley for more efficient power that boosts off-road capability, increasing the pickup’s overall torque delivery. These updates help the Raptor R provide greater performance at the speeds where customers spend the majority of their time driving.
Ford Performance also revised the Raptor R’s engine exhaust manifolds with a cast stainless steel design, offering an advanced oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan that helps it handle aggressive terrain grades while ensuring the engine oil stays cool. To enable the engine to breathe better, air intake volume is increased 66% via a wider air intake inlet and a higher-flow, higher-efficiency conical air filter.
Many experts agree that Trucks overall are one of Ford’s most important and enduring products. The profit from such vehicles is essential to help fund Ford’s long-term electric vehicle ambitions, as also seen with the innovative F-150 Lightning. Ford began sales of its all-electric F-150 Lightning in 2020 and wants to sell two million EVs a year around the world by 2026.
The new F-150 Raptor R will be available in eight color options, including new Avalanche and Azure Gray Tri-Coat exterior paint offered on the Raptor lineup for the first time.
Ordering for F-150 Raptor R opens today and production starts late 2022 at Dearborn Truck Plant. Don’t hesitate to contact Dunphy Ford for more information about the 2023 Raptor R or any of Ford’s world-class pickup trucks.
