The new Ford F-150 Raptor has been announced for the next model year and it brings some updated styling and probably more power. As standard, you’ll get the normal Raptor with the 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6 producing around 360KW and 730NM. But, for the following model year, there will be a Raptor R which is reported to have a 500KW V8. Whether it will be a 5.0L Coyote V8, the 5.2L Voodoo V8 or the 7.3L Godzilla V8, either of them with a supercharger or twin-turbos, we don’t know yet.
The reason for the Raptor R is most likely because fans of the pick-up really wanted a V8, but mostly because Dodge built the new RAM TRX – which stands for T-ReX, because the Americans do that sort of thing (see the Dodge Challenger Demon and Hennessey Exorcist). The RAM TRX has the ever-awesome supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8 producing 526KW and 850NM. It is quite frankly magnificent!
Chevy on the other hand, seems not to have bothered to join the party. It’s probably a good thing, because the Silverado is a bland pick-up. The only good thing is the diesel V8 in the biggest 3500 trim, with the dually wheels at the back. The front is too flat and the current generation is ugly to look at. It can however, tow a really big anvil for when the one in your blacksmith shop just won’t do (I don’t know either, must be an American thing).
So in the Battle of the Dinosaurs, I think the TRX wins. Yes, the Raptor is a cool pick-up and it is probably more user friendly and easier to live with day-to-day, but the RAM has a Hellcat in it. I mean, how could you not love the whole idea?! Now if only it could have been rear-wheel-drive…
Now a word from our sponsor: Me. Every year, thousands of V8s are killed by emissions regulations forcing car manufacturers to downsize their engines. Help end the suffering.
Don’t hate – adopt a V8!
©2020 Michael De Kock
Michael de Kock is a Psychology graduate, busy doing a National Certificate in Motor Mechanics to get more skilled, because he struggles to get a job in this day and age. Can you believe that? I can’t…
michaeldekock 