Outside there are new graphics and a bigger new power dome on the bonnet. Inside there are Recaro seats and a smattering of carbon-fibre trims. And everywhere are Ford Performance’s signature Code Orange trim accents. You’ll see this baby coming as well as hear it. F-150 Raptor drivers have been clamouring for a return to V8 power since 2014 when Ford chose to go down the V6 route. The Raptor R has been a long time coming. “We’ve heard our customers demanding the sound and power of a V8 back in Raptor,” says Carl Widmann. “That’s not something we were going to rush.”
Unsurprisingly, arrival of the Raptor R in the US is big news. Specialists like Hennessey may do more with the Raptor than this, but in full production terms this is the ultimate. For the Blue Oval, it regains the performance high ground from rivals like the Ram 1500. It’s not cheap though: US list is $109,000 or around £91,000, which is a lot more than the best Ram. Somebody in the UK will think it worth getting one, and when they do, can we have a go in it please?