The Ford F-150 Raptor R Brings Back the V8

• The 2023 F-150 Raptor R represents Ford's most powerful pickup.

• Ford stuffed the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from its Mustang Shelby GT500 under the hood and retuned it to make 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque.

• The Ford F-150 Raptor R is available to order now.

The F-150 Raptor launched into the Ford lineup and off of desert jumps all the way back in 2010. The trophy-truck-inspired Raptor’s suspension was the star of the show, but its growling 6.2-liter V8 wasn’t far behind. As Ford pivoted away from V8s and toward smaller turbocharged engines, the Raptor lost its V8. Even though the EcoBoost-powered Raptor made more power than its predecessor, that V8 vacuum helped open the door for the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX. Well, it seems like the folks at Ford have listened to the fans, and have officially brought the V8 Raptor back as the long-expected F-150 Raptor R.

Powering this Raptor R is, effectively, the same Predator V8 found under the hood of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. This supercharged 5.2-liter DOHC V8 sends 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque through a ten-speed automatic transmission and into the Raptor’s four-wheel-drive system. This is obviously down compared to the GT500’s figures, but it’s in lockstep with Ram’s desert racer’s 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque—likely, that’s not an accident.