The Ford F-150 lineup is set to gain a few new variants for the 2023 model year, including the recently revealed two-tone Heritage Edition and the entry-level off-road-focused Rattler. But of course, the most exciting addition to the F-150 lineup next year will be the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, which marks the return of the V8 engine to that model for the first time since its first generation years ago. Now, we know exactly when the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R will debut – July 18th – as the automaker itself has confirmed via Twitter.
Raptor R™ is almost here. Hope you like thrillers. See it first July 18 – https://t.co/1fvKf29Dnf #RaptorR #scaryfast pic.twitter.com/otiHH8QmSp
— Ford Trucks (@FordTrucks) July 12, 2022
In the same vein as some slasher flick, Ford’s tweet refers to the F-150 Raptor R as being “scary fast,” even showing a cactus in flames to drive that point home. That promise should be easily fulfilled by the supercharged Ford 5.2L V8 Predator powerplant that the Raptor R will come equipped with, which is expected to produce around 750 horsepower and will be mated to a fortified version of Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, as Ford Authority reported last month. As a reminder, way back in June of 2019, Ford Authority was the first to report that the F-150 Raptor would once again be available with a V8 engine.
To date, Ford Authority spies have spotted a number of 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R prototypes driving around completely uncovered, including an Antimatter Blue example, a Code Orange pickup, and one finished in Area 51. The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R – which was developed under the codename “Carnivore,” as Ford Authority previously reported – 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.
We’ve already heard the Raptor R’s Predator powerplant on multiple occasions, with Ford Authority spies capturing the V8’s glorious sounds on camera before FoMoCo released its own teaser of the truck blasting through the desert. Now, after more than a year of anticipation, we’re on the cusp of seeing this Ram TRX-killer in the flesh, and interested parties will also be able to order one that same day, as Ford Authority reported last month.
We’ll be on hand for the reveal of the 2023 F-150 Raptor R next week, 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.
Comments
I wonder what else they do to spice things up. The GT500 came with a whole bunch of upgrades over other models, including a bunch of chassis upgrades and a new suspension. Given that this thing looks to be noticeably higher than the non-R version, I’m guessing more travel or a 3 inch lift, or maybe both. Hopefully it gets dual valve shocks, cause Fox just released dual valve units earlier this year and they work wonders on the Polaris RZR Pro R Ultimate.
Hard to impress anyone now that we have extreme EV Truck all over.