2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R In Antimatter Blue Spotted Testing

Just a couple of weeks ago, Ford Authority spies spotted a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R wearing zero camo for the very first time, and last week, those same spies came across not one, but two additional F-150 Raptor R models  – this time in Agate Black Metallic and Area 51, shortly after Ford Authority was the first to report that the latter hue will be available on the muscular model. Now, Ford Authority spies have spotted yet another 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R out driving around, this time finished in Antimatter Blue.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R – which was developed under the codename “Carnivore,” as Ford Authority reported earlier this week – looks quite a bit like the regular F-150 Raptor, albeit with a few subtle differences. For starters, up front, the Raptor R features an “R” underneath the “D” in its “Ford” script grille. The Raptor R will also offer its own unique 17-inch forged aluminum wheel option.

The biggest difference between the F-150 Raptor and 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, however, lies under the hood. There, the “R” variant will come equipped with the supercharged Ford 5.2L V8 Predator engine currently used in in the S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, producing around 750 horsepower. As a reminder, way back in June of 2019, Ford Authority was the first to report that the Ford F-150 Raptor would once again be available with a V8 engine.

That powerplant won’t likely be mated to the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission present in the GT500, however. Instead, the Raptor R is likely to come equipped with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, as Ford Authority reported earlier this week. The Predator powerplant will also sound a bit different in the Raptor R than it does in that potent pony car, thanks to some special tuning from the development team, as we can hear in the video below.

The Ram TRX-fighting 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R isn’t expected to arrive until later this year, though order books for the muscular pickup are slated to open right after the truck’s debut, as Ford Authority reported earlier this week.

We’ll have more on the 2023 F-150 Raptor R soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, Ford F-150 Raptor news, and ongoing Ford news coverage.