2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R First Look Review
Ford is preparing a strong reply to Stellantis’ Ram 1500 TRX.
The Ford Raptor will be launched this fall, and it’s promising to be a powerful, mean truck despite its comparatively small size.
The Raptor will be powered by a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 capable of producing 700 hp at 6,650 rpm and 640 lb.-ft. This beast of an engine rightfully bears the name Predator. The torque here is the important detail, as it allows the truck to haul 1,400 pounds of payload, and lug an 8,700-pound trailer. And allows it to pass the most important test for a Ford truck, the durability test while spinning huge 37-inch diameter tires.
When it comes to speed, the new raptor R has the same controlled top speed of 120 mph as its predecessor the Raptor 37. But the crucial difference here is the significant drop in the power/weight ratio. The raptor R’s small size and light weight allow it to reach the 60 mph mark much quicker than the 37. The abstract numbers say that the Raptor R is at 8.6 lb./hp allowing it to reach 60mph in about 3.8 seconds compared to the 37’s 13.3 lb./hp and 5.6 seconds.
The engine setup can’t go alone out in the desert just like that. Several drivetrain accommodations have been added to ensure a smooth ride every time you push down that gas pedal. Ford engineers have added a fortified 10-speed automatic torque converter, coupled with a heavy-duty turbine damper and a beefy four-pinion output assembly. This allows the truck to have the fastest automatic shifting in all existing 10-speed Fords. The torque is also transmitted through a larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft and finally, on the receiving end, the front axle features a strengthened spider-gear carrier and structurally reinforced front cover.
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R First Look Review
We can find further reinforcements on the bodywork, like the reinforced jounce bumper mounts, stronger front Fox shocks, and a new cross member, trailer hitch, and winch mount for the underslung 37-inch spare. The front springs are also slightly stiffer, a necessary adjustment to hold the heavier V8 powertrain in place.
The Raptor R is marked with some distinctive design features, like the two orange hooks on each side of the grill and the prominent power dome in the hood serving both a functional and an aesthetic role.
On the inside, the raptor has a full black-out package with gloss black dash panels, carbon-fiber accents with a unique "triaxial" weave, and special Recaro seat coverings. Here too we find hints of orange, especially in the seats’ orange stitching and the embroidered orange R on the seatbacks.
Now it’s time to pull out your checkbook, the standard option Raptor R truck will cost $109,145. The only customization option you have in this case is the choice between eight color choices, including color schemes like the Avalanche Gray. However, for an additional $1,495 you can enjoy a panoramic roof.
You may ask yourself, what do I stand to gain from spending extra on a set of covers for my car? The short answer is a longer and healthier life for your car, a smaller maintenance bill, and less cleaning work on your car, in addition to more peace of mind.
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