2024 Ford F-150 Raptor Power Bump Made Possible By New Hood

The Ford F-150 Raptor R debuted for the 2023 model year as the V8-powered version of the high-performance off-roader fans had been clamoring for since The Blue Oval ditched that type of engine with the launch of the truck’s second-generation model. However, the Raptor R isn’t just powered by some plain old naturally-aspirated engine, but rather, the supercharged 5.2L V8 that generated 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. As part of the F-150’s mid-cycle refresh, the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R did get a bit of a boost up to 720 horsepower, and now, we know how FoMoCo managed to do that.

“It was a quick program in ’23, so we didn’t have the time to change the hood inner that we wanted to,” Ford Performance Chief Engineer Karl Widmann told American Cars And Racing in a recent interview. “The hood innner’s been modified to open up area for the air inlet to grab more air and the 5.2 supercharger just wants air like you wouldn’t believe. So it gave it the chance to breathe a little bit more and got us 20 horsepower.”

Following that change, the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R also received an updated calibration to take advantage of its new hood design, which resulted in the 20 horsepower bump. However, Widmann also pointed out that most owners likely won’t even notice that boost. “Yea, probably not, but more is always better,” he said when asked if that would be the case. “You know you have enough power when you hit the accelerator and black out.”

In addition to this extra power, the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R features a host of updates including new modular front bumper, an optional light bar, standard forged tow hooks, a wide blackout grille, new headlamps, Shelter Green as a paint option, new graphics, and new Fox dual live-valve shocks with position-sensitive compression control and continuously variable rebound controls, to boot.

We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford 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 comprehensive Ford news coverage.