Ford F-150 Raptor R teased

The next-generation Ford F-150 Raptor is set to usher in a new level of performance and may be offered with not one but two high-octane petrol engine choices – a V6 and a booming supercharged V8.

Ford will confirm details of the new F-150 Raptor on February 3 in Detroit, which means early on February 4 in Australia, and has released a new teaser image of the grille and a short Instagram video showing the high-performance pick-up truck at dusk in the desert.

The grille design is dominated by large, black Ford lettering, above which sit three small LED light strips, which can also be seen in the video. The bonnet features a central raised black element which could denote the fitment of a V8.

While the Blue Oval brand has kept its cards close to its chest, as previously reported the spy video shows what sounds like a lumpy V8 engine prowling the streets of Michigan, which is widely expected to be a counter-attack to the RAM 1500 TRX, which currently claims to be the world’s fastest ute.

Until the RAM 1500 TRX arrived in 2020, the F-150 Raptor had the extreme performance pick-up segment to itself.

Some US media outlets are reporting the hard-charging V8-powered F-150 will be known as the Raptor R. If this name sticks, it’s likely there will be a next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor R as well, powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine.

Whatever it’s called, the Ford F-150 Raptor’s V8 engine will need to generate significant punch to dispatch the 0-96km/h (60mph) sprint in under 4.5 seconds in order to reclaim bragging rights from the RAM 1500 TRX, which is powered by a 702hp 6.2-litre supercharged Hellcat V8 (523kW/881Nm).

The F-150 Raptor’s engine is expected to be donated from the incendiary Mustang Shelby GT500, which uses a 760hp 5.2-litre blown V8 (567kW/847Nm).

It’s not clear whether the six-cylinder version of the new F-150 Raptor will get a modified version of the current model’s 450hp 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 (335kW/690Nm) or a new circa-500hp (373kW) hybrid V6.

In any case, expect the 4x4 super-truck to be equipped with some radical off-road driving modes and even launch control.

It’s likely to continue using Fox racing shocks to support the heavily modified suspension and raised ride height, which are designed to give it not just go-anywhere off-road capability but dune-jumping skills as well.

As well as a lift kit, the F-150 Raptor will feature a wider track along with wheel-arch extensions, and should also come with rally raid accessories including reinforced side steps (rock rails), a spare wheel carrier and more.

Expect big 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres to be fitted as standard to the pick-up, while beadlock wheels are also likely to be part of the package.

As per the broader Ford F-150 range, the Raptor should offer a massive 12-inch central touch-screen, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with unique graphics, not to mention sports leather seats and a few other niceties from the Ford Performance catalogue.

Potential threats for both the Raptor and TRX could come in the form of all-electric utes on their way later this year and into 2022, such as the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck, as these vehicles are promising record-breaking performance in terms of towing, acceleration and off-road capability.

But a full-electric Ford F-150 is also in the works, due for release in 2022, and could be quicker than the Raptor R.

The Ford F-150 Raptor will be offered in Australia via independent conversion companies, but Ford Australia has made no moves to mount a fresh assault on the increasingly popular segment.