Ford F-150 Raptor R to get blown V8
Supercharged V8 borrowed from Ford Mustang GT500 to replace twin-turbo V6 in top-spec uteFord will challenge the RAM 1500 TRX with a faster 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R that will trade its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 for a more powerful V8.
The revelation that the flagship Raptor R will regain the V8 was confirmed by Ford itself in official documents detailing its 2022 Product Update.
Last available in the Ford super-ute in the first-gen F-150 Raptor back in 2014, the V8 was not offered in the second instalment.
Set to be released later this year, it's thought Ford was forced to reintroduce the V8 to give it some hope of challenging the latest RAM 1500 TRX that has reshaped the super-truck landscape with its 522kW/881Nm supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8.
The Blue Oval hasn't yet confirmed which engine it plans to slide under the bonnet of the fastest Raptor R, but the safe bet is it will adopt the supercharged 5.2-litre Predator that's already used in the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
Instead of the Shelby's 566kW and 847Nm, it's thought engineers will detune the blown V8 to offer less power in favour of even more torque.
Combined with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic, the F-150 Raptor R should usurp the 4.5-second 0-100km/h sprint claimed for the 1500 TRX.
When it arrives in the US it's expected the F-150 Raptor R will be priced at more than $US100,000 ($A140,000).
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