Ford F-150 Raptor R 2025: more powerful than the TRX

Two horsepower, that’s what separates the RAM 1500 TRX from the Ford Raptor. It’s more than enough for RAM enthusiasts who take delight in teasing Ford fans with this data, which, in reality, is rather insignificant. However, the laughter will be short-lived as the American manufacturer has just unveiled the 2025 version of the F-150 Raptor R, and I’ll let you guess what the engineers prioritized.

For 2025, it’s the F-150 Raptor R that wins the numbers game with an additional 20 horsepower. Thus, the American manufacturer’s truck now boasts a power output of 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. Engineers managed to extract an extra 20 horsepower from the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 thanks to better calibration and some minor improvements.

From 310 to 720 horsepower

When Ford introduced the Raptor to the market in 2010, it was powered by a 5.4-liter V8 producing 320 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. That’s roughly what you find as a technical specification with a current 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Fortunately, the American manufacturer offered a second optional choice—a 6.2-liter V8 with 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, which was already more compelling.

The second generation of the F-150 Raptor brought the Ecoboost V6 into the mix. With its twin turbochargers, this 3.5-liter V6 boasted a power output of 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.

Finally, the F-150 Raptor made a leap forward with the arrival of the R version, which eventually swapped the V6 for a supercharged 5.2-liter V8. This was essentially the same engine found in the previous-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The power of this engine was slightly revised downward for the Raptor R, with 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. However, it didn’t take Ford long to realize that this wasn’t enough, eventually adding 20 more horses to the mix.

Turning the tables

The fact that Ford made this announcement so early is not surprising. It turns out that RAM won’t be able to retaliate since the TRX will be replaced by the RAM 1500 RHO next year. Instead of a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the latter will be powered by a 3.0-liter inline-6 twin-turbo engine with power limited to 540 horsepower. Things can change over time, but for now, it seems that the Raptor R will have the playing field all to itself next year.

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier