Ford Raptor R Is Extraordinarily Powerful Off-Roader

The Ford Raptor is known widely as the highest performance truck that you can buy, and the 2023 F-150 Raptor R lives up to this expectation. The most powerful Raptor ever was designed to emulate the racing trucks of the Baja 1000, a Mexican off-road competition. This year's Raptor is the closest ever to this goal, in no small part due to its new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranks out 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine was designed by Ford Performance to be the most powerful in its lineup, having appeared previously in the Mustang Shelby GT500. After the work by Ford engineers, the engine in the Raptor R is the most torque-dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup. Additionally, the supercharger was adjusted to increase torque output in the lower and mid ranges, optimal for the car's off-roading capabilities. 

To cope with the high temperatures that come with steep off-roading grades, Ford Performance upgraded the original engine’s exhaust manifolds to a cast stainless steel design and added a unique oil cooler and filter. Just as the engine has been updated to cope with the stresses of extreme off-roading, so too has the suspension. The five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain and 24 inch springs, both of which add surpassing ride quality even in the roughest of desert conditions at high speeds. The 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.

The Raptor also comes with driver assistance to make off-roading easier. Ford's Trail Turn Assist allows drivers to shrink their turning circle on tight turns, while Trail Control lets the driver set a speed on trail and simply steer around obstacles while the truck handles throttle and braking on tough terrain. Overall, the Ford Raptor R is a truck that exceeds in every aspect that it attempts. 

*Class is full-size pickups under 8,500 pounds GVWR.