Ford F-150 Raptor R offers 700 hp in a pro desert racing performance inspired design.

Ford announced the F-150 Raptor R can now be ordered at local Ford dealerships.

While made available to the general public, the Raptor R is everything but a normal pickup truck.

Start with the new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque. The Raptor R derives its power from the most powerful engine in the Ford lineup— the Ford Performance Mustang GT500 engine.

Yes, that’s a Mustang GT500 engine modified to make the Ford F-150 Raptor R a street-legal desert-racing version of the truck.

“When customers experience Raptor R in the desert and beyond, it will make the hairs on the back of their necks stand up – and they’ll love every second of it.” — Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer

Ford Performance added other upgrades, modifying the original engine’s exhaust manifolds to a cast stainless steel design, including a unique oil cooler and filter, plus a deeper oil pan enabling it to tackle aggressive grades while keeping the engine oil cool.

To help the engine breathe better, air intake volume is increased 66% via a wider air intake inlet and a higher-flow, higher-efficiency conical air filter.

Raptor R delivers a 10-speed SelectShift® transmission with improved calibration. The truck features a new front axle with a more robust, higher-strength carrier casting and an aluminum-ribbed structural cover to manage the powertrain’s added torque, as well as a unique larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft.

A new, specially tuned torque converter with heavy-duty turbine damper and four-pinion rear output assembly makes the truck better equipped to transfer torque and provide a smoother powertrain feel when driving both on- and off-road.

Make no mistake, Ford designed the F-150 Raptor R for high-intensity off-road driving.

The five-link rear suspension features extra-long trailing arms to better maintain axle position on rough terrain, a Panhard rod and 24-inch coil springs – all optimized for outstanding stability while traversing challenging terrains at high speeds.

Advanced FOX Live Valve shocks are tuned to balance ride quality and roll control on- and off-road. These electronically controlled dampers use suspension height sensors and other sensors to monitor terrain conditions independently, hundreds of times a second, while adjusting suspension tuning accordingly.

Wheel travel of 13 inches in front and 14.1 inches in back facilitates Raptor R’s ability to traverse sand and rocks with outstanding capability.

While no one will question the truck’s off-road credibility, Ford clearly wanted to maintain its tradition of building tough trucks with stylish looks and feature comforts.

The Raptor R comes with aggressive desert-racing looks, including a more prominent power dome in the hood to send a message. Black fender flares, bumpers and grille with exclusive “R” badge to help drive home the point.

The interior includes black leather and suede combination seats, with carbon fiber interior accents.

Raptor R comes standard with a suite of smart technology.

• Trail Turn Assist allows drivers to shrink their turning radius on tight turns
• Ford Trail Control™ think cruise control for off-roading – lets drivers select a set speed and steer through challenging conditions while the truck handles throttle and braking.
• Trail 1-Pedal Drive allows customers to control throttle and braking with just one pedal to make extreme off-roading like rock crawling even easier.

Drivers can stay connected with a standard 12-inch touch screen with SYNC® 4 technology, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility.

The company didn’t provide pricing details at time of publication. Production for the Ford F-150 Raptor R will begin in late 2022 at the Dearborn Truck Plant.