The worst kept secret in the automotive world for the last couple of years has been the fact that Ford will once again offer the F-150 Raptor with a V8, something that it hasn’t done since the first-gen model roamed the far corners of the earth. The automaker itself admitted that the Ford F-150 Raptor R was “coming soon” back when it revealed the third-gen model last year, but has yet to provide any additional details. Thankfully, plenty of information about this high-performance off-roader has leaked out in recent months, and now we know when we’ll be able to order one.
Ford F-150 Raptor R order books will reportedly open this fall, which means that we won’t have to wait much longer to see the new offering in the flesh. When it does arrive, the fortified version of Ford’s already hardcore pickup will be packing the Mustang Shelby GT500‘s supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V8, which is expected to produce around 750 horsepower – more than enough to trump the Ram TRX and its 702 supercharged ponies.
We’ve already heard a Raptor R prototype in action, and it certainly sounds like a proper muscle truck. But in the looks department, the R reportedly won’t look terribly different from the regular Raptor, though it probably doesn’t need to given how aggressive that truck already is. However, it will reportedly feature some subtle differences, including a slightly revised front grille, gloss black beadlock capable wheels, and the familiar knobby tires present on “lesser” models.
Ford will also reportedly beef up the Raptor R’s suspension to help it put down all of that extra power, with new parts including larger trailing arms, along with a more robust rear suspension overall. It certainly sounds like the Raptor R will be the one to get – if that’s even possible.
With demand for the regular Raptor already prompting dealers to slap huge markups on those trucks, we can only imagine what sort of insane prices we’ll see attached to the heavily-anticipated V8-powered version. Regardless, we won’t have to wait long to find out, as the Raptor R should be revealed at some point in the next few months.
Source: Ford Truck Enthusiasts
