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Ford Just Built a Pickup That Will Put Your Neighbor’s Ram TRX to Shame

Just when you thought 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet wasn’t enough…

Red Ford F-150 Raptor truck tailgate with black carbon fiber panel and black rear bumper.Ford
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By Chris Chin

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Ford just turned up the heat on its iconic F-150 Raptor R to the tune of more than 900 horses. The Dearborn automaker revealed a new full line of factory-backed performance parts for the pickup.

To showcase what can be done, Ford’s Performance Parts division fired the parts cannon at full blast and built the F-150 Raptor R Project Vehicle. And it was prepped just in time for the Specialty Equipment and Manufacturers’ Association show in Las Vegas.

Built to leave others in the dust… literally

White and black Ford Raptor pickup truck with red and black racing stripes parked on sand dunes.
Need to show up your neighbor’s Ram TRX? Ford Performance Parts has you covered.
Ford

The Blue Oval’s latest build starts life as a current F-150 Raptor R, the most powerful and quickest F-150 ever built.

In case its 5.2-liter supercharged “Carnivore” V8 isn’t enough — even with its 720 horsepower and 640 foot-pounds of twist — Dearborn’s Performance Parts division has the goods to address that concern.

Red Ford off-road truck kicking up sand while driving on a sandy trail with an orange safety flag.
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is the most powerful and capable F-150 ever.
Ford

Specifically for the Raptor R Project vehicle, engineers swapped out the Carnivore’s original Eaton crank-driven blower for a massive 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger. The result is an output boost to over 900 horsepower.

In case you were hoping to one-up your neighbor’s Ram TRX, you’re in luck — those 900 ponies amount to about 200 more than that of the truck’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8.

White Ford Raptor pickup truck airborne over sand dunes under a cloudy sky.
Although very capable, we don’t recommend trying to send it like this at home.
Ford

Ford’s team didn’t specify performance numbers. But with the stock Raptor R capable of slaying its 0-60 mph time in just 3.6 seconds, those extra 200 horses will definitely shrink that time down significantly — even for a nearly three-ton leviathan.

More than just a power boost

Glossy carbon fiber hood scoop with "Raptor" badge on a black vehicle hood.
The engine hood cowl is one of the many carbon fiber bits offered by Ford Performance Parts.
Ford

Of course, being the posterchild for this year’s SEMA show, Ford Performance Parts pulled out all the stops. So the F-150 Raptor R Project Vehicle isn’t just about the show and the straight-go.

It also benefits from a Borla extreme cat-back exhaust with custom black chrome tips, the divisions bespoke gloss carbon fiber appearance package, a full RIGID auxiliary lighting kit and driving lights, underbody rock crawling lights, and even a hood hinge-mounted set.

White and red Ford Raptor pickup truck with off-road tires parked on sand dunes at sunset.
Be sure to check out the F-150 Raptor R Project Vehicle at this year’s SEMA show. No Bluetooth driveshafts here.
Ford

The team in Dearborn didn’t specify and changes to the suspension or chassis. But that’s likely because the Raptor R doesn’t really need any.

It’s already factory-prepped to take on pretty much anything you can throw it at. Such includes upgraded suspension, the use of more versatile and performance-oriented coil springs with a five-way multi-link rear setup, and extra bracing in the form of a Panhard bar.

Close-up of a white car side vent with a carbon fiber finish and red and black diagonal stripes decal.
The full carbon fiber appearance package also includes the Raptor R’s side vents.
Ford

Separating the Raptor R Project Vehicle visually, however, is a set of METHOD Black wheels and exterior graphics.

And the best part: it’s all backed by Ford Performance Parts’ 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. Additionally, all the parts can be installed at any Ford dealer or by any ASE-certified technician.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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