RAMPING UP THE RAPTOR

Ford decides that the F-150 needs a supercharged V8 to counter the electric revolution

- Pawan Dhingara

When it comes to fast, extreme pickups its usually skunkworks companies like Hennessey at the forefront but rarely does a manufacturer ramp up the insanity like Ford has just done with the F-150 Raptor R. That’s right, a 700hp terrain blaster straight offthe factory floor and ready to cause havoc on the school run and every back road.

In markets where the F-150 isn’t sold, the new Raptor is what many would consider potent enough. It packs a 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo petrol with similar blueprints to the one installed in the rear end of a Ford GT, but detuned to 290kW. Still, it claims to hit 60mph/h in under six seconds. It is all the bakkie you’ll ever need but that hasn’t stopped Ford from unleashing the F-150 Raptor R to just cement its place at the top for eternity.