Is Ford’s ‘Big Raptor’ worth the $100,000+ price tag? | Rare Techy

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The Ford F-150 Raptor dominated the auto industry without or competition, but then along came the supercharged 702 hp Ram 1500 TRX that shook up the pickup market.
Ford responded by slotting a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine into the existing framework, now affectionately known as the “Big Raptor.” Replacing the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 that produced 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, the powerful new V8 produces an astounding 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque.
Along with these performance changes came a significant price increase, leaving many consumers with sticker shock and wondering if the “Big Raptor” was worth the $100,000 investment.
Ford F-150 “Big Raptor”
The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R (“Big Raptor”) gets its dynamic power from a Shelby GT500 V8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, signaling the most powerful engine ever offered to a production Ford pickup.
Additional upgrades include a five-link rear coil spring setup and larger internal bypass shocks for improved suspension performance. The “Big Raptor” also has increased towing capacity, now capable of carrying 1,400 pounds of payload and up to 8,700 pounds of towing power, making it an ideal choice for small boat and trailer owners.
According to Car and Driver, the upgraded pickup comes standard with 37-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires that provide “unbelievable traction and ride quality on even the most treacherous terrain.”
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the thirsty 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is just 10 mpg city, 15 mpg highway and 12 mpg combined. But as Autoblog points out, “The V8 is downright nasty, with an off-road exhaust mode that makes kids’ eardrums liquefy.” They explain, “It does everything the V6 Raptor does, just a little faster and with a lot more grunt.”
Is the F-150 Raptor R worth the hefty price tag?
With its unmatched power and larger-than-life nature, the four-door F-150 Raptor R is worth $109,145.
The supercharged V8 goes up against the “Big Raptor” and Ram’s 1500 TRX powered by the Hellcat. According to C-Net, the Ford F-150 surpasses the TRX in off-road capability, besting the pickup truck in every category with better ground clearance, approach angle, departure angle and rollover angle.
The TRX has impressive towing stats, with a payload of 1,130 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 8,100 pounds, but that’s still well below the 8,700-pound towing capacity offered by the Big Raptor.
As for off-road capability, the Raptor R is better off-road than the Ram 1500 TRX. The Ford F-150 Raptor R has a curb weight of 5,950 pounds, and the heavier TRX weighs 6,350 pounds, making the Raptor a better choice for off-road trails.
Ram 1500 TRX comparison
The only pickup currently using the powerful Hellcat engine is the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX. The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that produces 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, following the specifications of the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R.
The Ram 1500 TRX accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which is slightly slower than the Big Raptor, which reaches 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The 2023 Ram 1500 TRX has an MSRP of $83,890, but building a truck comparable to the Ford F-150 Raptor R raises the price to about $102,000.
While the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX is a worthy component, automotive experts consider the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor Ri to be the better deal, with beefier factory-installed 37-inch tires, higher ground clearance, an upgraded suspension system, and an upgraded ride-on system. highway technology and faster acceleration.
MotorTrend named the TRX the 2021 MotorTrend Truck of the Year, saying, “A tough market for hot vehicles should mean the Raptor Ri is hard to come by, and that could mean $109,145 is a steal.”
RELATED: 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R vs. 2023 Ram 1500 TRX: Massive off-road aggression achieved
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