The Detroit automaker just introduced the F-150 Raptor R, a new version of its high-performance off-road pickup with a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that produces 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. The Pickup will start at $109,145.
Amid pent-up demand and record prices, automakers have been adding performance variants to their lineups to boost profit margins before making a further transition to electric vehicles, which may offer high performance but have lower margins than gasoline vehicles.
The new “R” version looks similar to the company’s F-150 Raptor, but includes some design tweaks and offers a significant increase in performance and off-road parts. For comparison, the regular 2022 F-150 Raptor is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that produces 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Ford said the Raptor R’s top speed is 180 mph, limited by the 37-inch tires.
Ford has largely dominated the performance pickup truck market since it released the first Raptor model in 2009. But in recent years, Stelantis’ Ram Trucks brand has grabbed headlines with its Ram 1500 T R X, a pickup truck. 702-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged engine. V-8 engine and 650 pound-feet of torque.
The new Raptor falls just short of the performance of the Ram T R X, but offers different performance parts. It is also the most powerful engine Ford offers. The company previously used the engine for the Ford Mustang Shelby G T 500.
Carl Widmann, Ford’s chief performance engineer, said the vehicle is the result of customers “demanding the sound and power of a V-8 in Raptor.” Ford hasn’t offered a B-8 engine in a Raptor model since 2014.
Production of the F-150 Raptor R will begin in the fall at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan, the oval brand said. The order for the vehicle opens today Monday through Ford dealers in the USA.
Current Raptor Pickups start at around $70,000, about $40,000 less compared to a base F-150, but less expensive than the top luxury version of the F-150 which starts at about $77,000, but this F- 150 Raptor R will be the most expensive of all with a price of $109,145.
