We now have further confirmation that Ford's TRX fighter will have the Mustang GT500's supercharged 5.2-liter "Predator" V-8.
- We saw the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R live and in person, and it sounds great.
- The Mustang GT500's supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, called Predator, will be under the hood.
- Ford will likely reveal the Raptor R later this summer.
We’ve seen it in spy photos and on video, and now we’ve finally gotten a first-hand experience with the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, Ford’s answer to the Ram 1500 TRX. It may have only been a quick flyby through the southern California desert on the heels of a Bronco Raptor drive we’ll soon tell you more about, but we can confirm the rumors it will be powered by a supercharged V-8.
But exactly which V-8 will be stuffed under the hood, you might ask? The internet is powerful tool, and a window sticker recently dribbled onto the web appearing to show numerous powertrain details. We can further confirm via Ford's dealer technician tool that the Raptor R will be powered by the Predator, a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 also found in the Mustang GT500, where it produces 760 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic transmission will handle gear exchanges. Underneath, a 9.75-inch rear axle will feature an electronically controlled locking rear differential with a 4:10:1 ratio. Like the V-6–powered Raptor, we expect the front axle to have some locking properties.
Predictably, electronically controlled Fox LiveValve dampers will control the motion of the massive 37-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires. The interior will likely be similar to the standard Raptor's, and the same 18-speaker B&O audio is shown on the window sticker. We expect the Raptor R to have the F-150's larger 36.0-gallon extended range fuel tank (the standard Raptor has a 26.0-gallon tank), as its fuel economy will surely take a hit compared with the V-6 version.
We expect to learn more about the Raptor R later this summer.
