Ford launches its most extreme 700hp Raptor R pickup
It gets a host of mechanical upgrades including a Baja drive mode
The Americans seem to have a simple recipe to make things work better – add more power. The F-150 already held the title of being Ford and America’s best-selling pickup truck of all time. And yet, Ford decided to replace the standard 3.5-litre V6 with a new 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine to unveil the 700hp F-150 Raptor R – the most powerful F-150 Raptor ever.
Enthusiasts would be pleased to know the 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine gets lifted from the Mustang Shelby GT500 muscle car. Ford remains tight-lipped on performance figures though considering the standard V6 version cracks the 0-100kph in about 5.05secs, one can expect this 700hp Raptor R pickup to compete with sports cars the likes of Porsche 911 in acceleration times.
Yet, Ford markets the Raptor R as an off-road desert rally car, and it certainly carries the mechanicals to substantiate. For instance, it gets a new front axle with an aluminium structural cover and a larger-diameter aluminium driveshaft to manage the humongous 840Nm torque output. The five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to maintain axle position on rough terrain better and help provide a more stable ride. A 24-inch coil spring setup and Advanced FOX Live Valve shocks should strengthen and stabilise the off-road ride. It even gets a customised Baja drive mode for maximum performance and control in high-speed off-roading.
The cosmetics have been designed to replicate the extreme off-road prowess of the Raptor R. One can point out significant R decaling throughout the car, the prominent Ford grille, blacked trim details along the bumpers and fender flares. The blacked theme carries on to the cabin with Alcantara-embedded Recaro seats as standard. It even gets carbon fibre elements along the dashboard and doors.
Ford has embedded off-road assistance technology into the Raptor R as well. Drivers can select Trail Control, which operates much like speed-limited cruise control for off-road terrains. It further gets Trail Turn Assist and Trail 1-pedal Drive, enabling tighter turns on trails and easier one-pedal driving during rock crawling.
Ford has started accepting orders for the F-150 Raptor R today, with production slated to begin by late 2022. No word on the Raptor R getting exported to other global markets.
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