Ringing in the New Year with Ford’s Raptor R

Photo Source: Ford

From a new swinging tailgate to a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost, Ford revealed numerous updates to the 2024 F-150 lineup. The Raptor R, however, was left out of the equation aside from a small kernel of information that it will see more than 700 horsepower. Fast forward a few months in the 2023 model year, and it is now official: the 2024 Raptor R will put down a staggering 720 horsepower. 

That is what consumers will get under the hood of the newest Raptor R, which needs no introduction as Ford’s high-speed off-road rig. It has 20 horsepower more than the outgoing model, and 18 more horsepower than the 2024 Ram TRX, which retires this year (2023) along with its 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V-8 engine. It is worth noting that the timing of Ford’s power increase is convenient, as it ensures the TRX will not go down in history as the most powerful gas-powered pickup truck of all time.

Modifications Made to Increase Horsepower

How does Ford get the extra potency from the Raptor pickup’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8? The official press release underscores a new engine calibration and “reduced air inlet losses,” which the brand further explains as modifications to the hood and body close-out panel for more airflow to the air filter. For those enthusiasts not in the know, this means more torque will be available at a broader range of engine speeds. Such attributes will pay plenty of dividends during high-speed running in places like sand dunes. As mentioned, the result is 720 horsepower and a wider torque curve, though peak torque remains the same at 640 pound-feet. 

Of course, the engine is a derivative of the 5.2-liter mill utilized in the most recent Mustang Shelby GT500, where it accelerated up to 760 horsepower. When the V-8-powered Raptor R debuted in 2022 with 700 horsepower, the automaker announced the engine was retuned with improved low-end power for better use in a truck application. The trade-off was peak output, but now it appears Ford engineers have found some middle ground.

The Styling Cues of the Raptor R

As with other F-150 vehicles, buyers will identify the 2024 Raptor R primarily by the new headlights with daytime LEDs forming a half-square around the outside edge. The interior remains unchanged, save for a heads-up display that is optional for the first time in the F-150 family. Additionally, the Raptor earns new Fox Dual Live-Valve shocks for this model year (2023), featuring position-sensitive compression control and new continuously variable rebound setups to further enhance off-road wheeling and on-road driving.

Meanwhile, the front fascia has a steel bumper chopped at the corners for better approach angles and festooned with auxiliary lights and flashy red tow hooks. Amber clearance lights are baked into the F-O-R-D billboard grille, a product of this pickup truck spreading more than 80 inches wide. Moreover, a red “R” badge is placed off-center on the grille.

If Ford’s powerhouse of a pickup truck has piqued your interest, please come visit Sunrise Ford. After all, we are all about helping our customers enjoy their shopping experience. We have a friendly and passionate sales team that will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs easy for any of our new vehicle inventory. We are happy to be your dealership home.