With a new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 cranking out 700 hp and 640 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R relies on FOX Live Valve semi-active suspension to provide confidence and control over harsh terrain. 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 Raptor R is the closest yet to delivering this type of performance.
“Raptor R is our ultimate Raptor,” Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann explained. “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.”
After more than a decade spent braving harsh conditions and conquering massive desert dunes over three generations of FOX-equipped off-road trucks, Ford introduces the new F-150 Raptor R—the fastest, most powerful, most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet.
Here’s the V8 you’ve been asking for
The heart of Raptor R is a new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque to give it incredible desert-running power. Ford Performance enlisted the most powerful engine in its lineup, optimizing it for Raptor-level off-road performance and Built Ford Tough durability. The result is the most torque dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup.
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-end and mid-range. According to Ford, these changes help Raptor R offer more performance at the speeds where customers spend most of their time driving.
If the heart of Raptor R is the supercharged V8, the soul remains its incredibly capable suspension (click on the video above to see it in action). 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.
FOX Live Valve semi-active suspension once again
As seen on the F-150 Raptor, Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor, advanced FOX Live Valve shocks are tuned to balance the Raptor R's 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.
“We’ve heard our customers demanding the sound and power of a V8 back in Raptor,” Widmann added. “That’s not something we were going to rush. This supercharged 5.2-liter V8 is the ideal fusion of high-density power paired with the third generation Raptor’s all-new rear suspension and shocks to deliver a one-two punch that goes far beyond the sum of its parts.”
Each drive mode is tuned to account for the added power of the supercharged V8, including an optimized Baja mode for maximum performance and control in high-speed off-roading. A 5% increase in the front spring rate helps maintain comfortable ride quality, while Raptor R boasts class-leading 13.1-inch ground clearance and standard class-exclusive 37-inch tires straight from the factory for improved obstacle clearing.
Read "How Live Valve 3.1 Shocks Work On The 2021 Ford Raptor"
To maintain the extreme off-road durability the Raptor brand is known for, Ford Performance upgraded the original engine’s exhaust manifolds to a cast stainless steel design, including a unique oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan enabling it to tackle aggressive grades while keeping the engine oil cool. To help the engine breathe better, air intake volume is increased 66% via a wider air intake inlet and a higher-flow, higher-efficiency conical air filter.
Desert tough
According to Ford, the F-150 Raptor is about more than going fast—it must conquer brutal off-road environments. Its capability and durability come from more than a decade of Ford expertise in engineering and torture testing high-performance trucks.
Ford Performance upgraded the base truck’s transmission and driveline to help ensure Raptor R can smoothly handle what this V8 can throw at it.
Raptor R delivers 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. A new, specially tuned torque converter with heavy-duty turbine damper and four-pinion rear output assembly makes 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 Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. These can be adjusted in the MyMode feature, allowing drivers to customize multiple settings—including drive, steering, suspension modes and others—and save one as a single mode easily accessed with the press of the “R” button on the steering wheel.
