Ford F-150 Raptor to get supercharged V8 engine

REPORTS OUT of the USA suggest that the Ford F150 Raptor pick-up with again be fitted with V8 power before the all-new F150 is released in two to three years’ time.

Many buyers of the second-generation F150 Raptor were put off when the Baja-inspired model was only offered with a twin-turbo V6 engine in lieu of the V8 powerplant that was in the first gen. This was despite the V6 making more power and torque and being a quicker vehicle all around than the earlier V8.

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Up until 2016 the F150 Raptor was powered by a 302kW 6.2-litre V8 engine, but when the current model came out in 2017 the V8 was gone and it its place sat a 335kW/691Nm EcoBoost V6 engine backed by a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Now, as sightings of a supposedly Raptor-fighting RAM Rebel TRX – said to be sporting the whine of supercharged V8 engine – have become more common, Ford is fighting back with a limited edition model that will see out the second-gen F150. The engine rumoured to be going into this special Raptor is none other than the stonking supercharged 5.2-litre V8 as fitted to the Shelby GT500 Mustang.

The 2019 GT500 is said to be the most powerful Ford ever sold and, while the exact power and torque figures are yet to be released, it is expected to make more than 522kW, or 700hp in the old money. Those figures could change as the engine is tuned to best suit the Raptor truck.

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RAM’s Rebel TRXdraws its inspiration from the 2016 concept truck of the same name, and it’s tipped to be launched in the USA next year as a 2021 model. Those that have seen and heard prototypes of the TRX prowling around Michigan have said that it has the distinct sound of a supercharged engine, leading most to believe it will be powered by a version of the Hellcat supercharged V8 that makes upwards of 700hp in its various guises in muscle cars.

Needless to say is that if and when these two hyper pick-ups hit the streets and off-road tracks of the USA, there’s sure to be some dust thrown up. We don’t expect either of the two trucks to reach Australia via the official manufacturer channels, but they will most likely come via specialist importers at a hefty price.

Meanwhile, our Australian 4x4 of the Year winning Ford Ranger Raptor makes do with a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.