New Ford Raptor Specs Are Unchanged: Raptor R Coming to the Rescue Next Year

The Ford F-150 Raptor has gone through a few iterations to reach its third generation. Ford has been mum about releasing details of what we can expect for power and torque, and while it won’t have as much power as the first-gen with the 6.2L V8, it’s nothing to turn your nose up to. However, we hate to break it to you – it hasn’t changed since last year, so you may have to wait a bit longer if you want more ponies.

We expected Ford to add some power to compete with the first-generation model. Since they kept the specs under wraps until recently, we didn’t think it would use the same platform as the previous model, but the Raptor will continue using a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 with 450 horsepower and 510-pound-feet of torque.

Although the numbers are unchanged, the high-output EcoBoost has changed slightly. The previous model made peak power at 5,000 RPM and peak torque at 3500 rpm, while the latest model produces peak power at 5850 rpm and peak torque at 3000 RPM. Reconfiguring the low-end torque will help the Raptor increase its towing, hauling, and payload capabilities by 200 pounds. The payload is now 1400 pounds and it can tow 8200 pounds. It won’t have to work as hard either, which the engine will thank you for later.

If you’re content with the previous configuration, the additional payload and towing capacity are a welcomed addition. Raptors are meant to take beatings, and some have been known to fly proving physics isn’t always right. Just kidding. Since Raptors are more than a pavement princess, incremental increases for consumers will help immensely. The average dirt bike is 205 pounds with fuel, so that’s an extra bike in the bed while towing your trailer.

The Raptor has proven itself as more than capable with its current engine, but one quip many truck enthusiasts have not been shy to mention is how it sounds. Ford came up with a solution for this – they added an equal-length exhaust system with muffler bypass valves for a more throaty and beefy sound. Hopefully it’ll help because it’s mediocre at best. However, If you’re looking for brute force and that distinguished V8 sound the blue oval is known to offer, the Raptor R is right up your alley.

Next year you’ll have options if you aren’t happy with latest rendition. The second and third-generation Raptors aren’t bad trucks per se, but they certainly aren’t TRX killers, so Ford decided to give the crowd what they wanted and build a more potent Raptor R that will debut next year. The truck is speculated to have more than 700 horsepower and use a version of the Predator supercharged 5.2L V8 that puts out 765 horsepower and 625-pound feet of torque in the Shelby GT500. The styling should be more aggressive as well.

The Ford F-150 Raptor is exceptional in its current configuration to handle your needs, but if you’re looking to hunt TRXs’ on the weekends, you’ll have to wait just a little longer. The 2021 Raptor is on sale but will cost $10,690 more this year because it’s only available as a four-door SuperCrew. You can expect to fork out $65,840, so we imagine the Raptor R will cost similar, if not more than a TRX.