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The biggest giveaway that this is indeed the more powerful “R” version of the off-road focused pickup is the presence of a covered-up section under the “D” in the Raptor’s signature “Ford” script grille, which a blacked-out “R,” as we can see in these photos, along with a green sticker on the windshield that reads “New Model.” Otherwise, this Raptor R prototype looks a lot like the regular version, and even sports the same optional 17-inch wheels that are already available on that particular pickup.
Regardless, the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R will feature a few subtle differences from the regular Raptor, including the fact that it will get its own unique 17-inch forged aluminum wheels. The biggest difference will lie under the hood, where the Raptor R will come equipped with the aforementioned supercharged Predator powerplant that’s also present in the S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
However, as Ford Authority reported yesterday, the Predator will sound a bit different in the Raptor R than it does in that potent pony car, thanks to some special tuning from the development team. The result is a pickup that reportedly sounds “marvelous,” with the sort of menacing tone that will make the Raptor R easy to distinguish – aurally speaking – from EcoBoost-powered models.
In terms of timing, the Ram TRX-fighting 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R isn’t expected to arrive until later this year, while order books for the muscular pickup are slated to open up this fall, as Ford Authority exclusively reported back in February.
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