First Look at the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R

It took the help of a few Mustangs, but the 2023 Ford Raptor finally has enough power to possibly take down the Dodge Ram TRX. Or at least generate a legitimate challenge.

Starting at $109,145, Ford’s newest F-series superstar returns to its powerful V8 roots for the first time since 2014 — to the delight of Ford diehards — to give the Dodge Ram TRX’s its most fierce competition yet for road warrior supremacy.

(1) Preproduction model with optional equipment shown. Available late 2022. Professional driver on a closed course. Always consult the Raptor supplement to the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.

The automakers decided to add a bit of horsepower to the Raptor R by way of dropping the Mustang Shelby GT500 into the Raptor’s latest iteration. The 5.2-supercharged Predator V8 now gives the Raptor R 700 horsepower and provides 640-lb-ft of torque, pitting it square against the Dodge Ram TRX’s 702 horsepower Hellcat engine. We’re looking forward to driving both and deciding ourselves who will reign supreme.

The Raptor R is also about 700 pounds lighter, yet with about an 8,700 towing capacity, it can pull nearly 700 pounds more than its road rival.

(2) Preproduction model with optional equipment shown. Available late 2022. Professional driver on a closed course. Always consult the Raptor supplement to the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.

(3) Preproduction model with optional equipment shown. Available late 2022.

(5) Preproduction model with optional equipment shown. Available late 2022.

If you’re still a skeptic of the Raptor R’s newfound power, perhaps hearing is believing.

In addition to more power, one of the most anticipated features of the Raptor R is the addition of more noise by upgrading the Raptor R’s exhaust system — which should come as music to the ears of drivers who insist on a truck sounding powerful as its performance. (The Raptor is equipped with a quiet mode when you don’t want to make a bombastic entrance.)

SPECS Ford F150 Raptor

Engine 5.2-liter supercharged DOHC V8
Power 700 horsepower
Torque 640 pound-feet
Suspension Front independent double-wishbone, a rear five-link coil with Panhard rod Along with continuously variable active Fox for both front and rear
Curb Weight 5,950 pounds
Towing Capacity 8,700 pounds