The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R sounds just as glorious as we’d expect with Predator power.
News regarding the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R has been flowing hot and heavy in recent weeks, confirming that the high-performance off-roader will launch packing FoMoCo’s supercharged 5.2-liter Predator powerplant underhood. It’s a momentous occasion for sure, one that will see the return of V8 power to a pickup that hasn’t had it in years, in spite of the collective cries of enthusiasts across the globe. Now, Ford is righting that wrong with the F-150 Raptor R, which sounds simply incredible, as we can hear in this video from The Fast Lane Truck.
As one might imagine, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R doesn’t sound like anything else on this planet, save for perhaps the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, with which it shares the Predator powerplant. Prior rumors suggest that in this guise, the V8 will crank out at least 750 horsepower, which would be slightly less than the GT500’s rating of 760 ponies. Regardless, we don’t really care about that little detail, because this thing sounds amazing.
With its supercharger whining, the Raptor R rips around the desert effortlessly in this video, kicking up giant rooster tails of sand. That isn’t much of a surprise given the power level it possesses, along with those massive 37-inch tires, but it’s still a lot of fun to watch. It also sounds precisely like a truck should, particularly one that’s touted as a high-speed desert runner in the vein of the Raptor in general.
Given all of these leaks lately, it sure seems like the F-150 Raptor R will be revealed rather soon, though a recent report indicates that order banks won’t open up until this fall. It’s quite possible that Ford reveals its Ram TRX killer this summer, however, and then takes reservations for the hi-po pickup, which is all the rage these days. Regardless, the lucky few that do manage to get their hands on one likely won’t be disappointed, given how incredible it sounds and goes.