The day began with weather that would scare Jim Cantore, when the gales of November came to the sand dunes of Michigan's Silver Lake State Park. The thoroughly soaked mounds provided almost too much traction. Not for the guy in the rented Buick Encore, but enough to make even the steepest of dunes only a minor inconvenience to the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R. When you've got 700 horsepower and 37-inch bead locked tires, wet sand may as well be interstate slab.
The Raptor R is the long-awaited (but maybe not inevitable) zenith of the Raptor brand. In a world with no Ram TRX, would Ford drop a Shelby GT500 engine into a pickup? Science tells us that observation influences outcomes, and we have to think Ford observed Ram selling all the $86K trucks it could build and said, "Maybe we should do that."
Given the obviousness of the Raptor R's competition, it's a bit curious that Ford didn't go for horsepower bragging rights. With the TRX making 702 horsepower, why not give the Raptor R 703? That's something Ram might do. Instead, Ford arrived at an even 700 horsepower at 6650 rpm. Trucks like this are about big numbers and loud noises and taking dirt that was over here and throwing it way over there and then doing some sweet jumps. The Raptor R is spectacularly well-equipped to handle all of that, even without superlative horsepower.
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Esta historia es de la edición January 2023 de Car and Driver.
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Fleeting Thoughts
Updates and hot takes on the vehicles fortunate enough to spend 40,000 miles with C/D's editors.
Swedish Bliss
The new Volvo EX90 channels the brand's characteristic approach to wellness and serenity into an electric SUV sized for the whole family.
Tick, Tick, Boom
Tesla Model 3 Performance HIGHS: Nauseatingly quick, airy cabin with great visibility, genuine value. LOWS: Off-putting user interface, inescapable clinical feeling, austere interior design.
Black Ops
The new Precision package for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing hones one of our favorite sports sedans.
Pay to Play
Porsche Panamera HIGHS: Ample motivation, fun in every corner, surprising fuel economy. LOWS: Grip levels drop slightly, big price tag, dumb touchscreen vent controls. VERDICT: The bottom rung, but you'd never know it.
Man-o'-War
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing HIGHS: A clinic on proper steering response, 9000 rpm of sonic glory, more grip is good. LOWS: A mirror full of wing, upgrades useful only on track, quiet only when it's off.
Low-Pro Hero
Honda Civic Hybrid HIGHS: Fuel efficiency of a hybrid, Si-beating acceleration, as comfortable to ride in as it is engaging to drive. LOWS: No adjustable lumbar support, low-limit tires, quicker at the track than in the real world.
Back in Tune
CarBahn CB3 M4 HIGHS: A monster inline-six with an available warranty, massive grip and lateral stability, a better-looking face. LOWS: The exhaust needs an off switch, suspension links clatter, steering is still mute.
Hurricane Force
Ram 1500 HIGHS: Quicker than the old V-8 Ram, powerful and smooth turbo six, class-leading luxury. LOWS: Detectable turbo lag, slow-to-react touchscreen, hands-free mode zaps confidence.
Good Vibrations
No one has to guess what's under the hood of the Ferrari 12Cilindri.