New F-150 Raptor R Is An Extreme Truck With Supercharged V8 Power

• Powered by a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 engine with 700PS.  

• Equipped with Trail Turn Assist and Traill 1-Pedal Drive mode for off-roading.

• Production set to begin in late 2022 at Ford’s Michigan plant. 

• Likely to be exclusively sold in North American markets. 

Ford has unveiled its most extreme factory-built pickup truck, the F-150 Raptor R, that’s inspired by Baja 1000 desert rallying trucks. It slots above the V6-powered Raptor and gets a supercharged V8 engine and advanced suspension and 4x4 hardware. It’ll go on sale in North American markets later this year, but there’s no indication that the pickup will be offered in other countries. 

The Ford F-150 Raptor R is built to take on tough terrains and high-speed off-roading trails that require power as well as rugged suspension. For the former, the Raptor R has a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine that produces a hulking 700PS and 870Nm. It’s paired with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and drive modes for Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. 

It has Fox Live Valve electronically adjustable dampers that automatically retune the damping according to the terrain on which you’re driving. The shocks are paired with 24-inch coil springs and a 5-link trailing arm suspension setup for optimum performance at high speeds in off-road conditions. All of this gives the F-150 Raptor R over a foot of wheel travel and a lofty 330mm ground clearance. 

It gets specialised features for off-roading, too. Trail Turn Assist helps the pickup truck manoeuvre around tight corners on an off-roading trail by braking (and hence, skidding) the inside rear wheel. Trail 1-Pedal Drive is for tricky off-roading conditions and works similar to the one-pedal driving function in some EVs. It lets you accelerate and slow down using only the accelerator pedal while managing traction across both axles. Ford Trail Control takes care of the throttle and braking, leaving the steering to the driver – like cruise control, but for off-roading. 

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Inside, the F-150 Raptor R has a black-themed cabin with carbon fibre trim bits and sports seats upholstered in black leather and Alcantara. Other features include a panoramic sunroof and 12-inch Sync 4 touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and over the air (OTA) updates. 

Also read: 

• Ford Drops Plans For EV Manufacturing Under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

• Ford Unveils Future Roadmap For Europe; Lineup To Include Nine Electric Vehicles By 2024

The Ford F-150 Raptor R is a highly capable and powerful pickup truck, but it comes at an eye-watering price – around Rs 87 lakh in its home country. For now, there’s no word if it’ll be offered outside North America.