The 2021 Ford Raptor Could Come Packing the GT500’s Supercharged V8
The new Raptor could get the Mustang Shelby GT500’s V8, but will be a very capable truck no matter what’s under the hood.
Just a few weeks ago, Ford pulled back the curtain on the newest version of its most important vehicle, the F-150. We saw a long list of improvements, from tech to powertrain options, which will make the new F-150 one of the most advanced trucks in its segment. One thing notably absent from the presentation stage was the most exciting F-150 of them all, the Raptor. As these things go, the rumor mill has only been churning faster since the unveiling, and as more information leaks out it’s clear that the 2021 Raptor will be worth the wait.
We don’t have all the details yet, but the Raptor should get many of the same upgrades that the rest of the new F-150 line will see. That could include the foot-wide infotainment screen that will run Ford’s new SYNC 4 system, a new center console, and a revised exterior. That’s on top of all the go-fast off-road bits that the Raptor already gets, from Fox Racing shocks to massive all-terrain tires and wheels.
Interested yet? If all of that isn’t enough for you, a recent Car and Driver report dropped a tantalizing rumor that the ’21 Raptor could be powered by the Mustang Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.2-liter V8. That engine makes an incredible 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque – nearly 300 more hp than the current Raptor and over 200 horsepower more than the bonkers Roush Raptor kit. As insane as that sounds, the move actually makes sense from a competition standpoint. Ram is almost ready to drop its TRX, a high-performance version of its 1500 pickup truck that will come with the 700-plus-horsepower Hellcat engine.
You may recall that the Raptor originally came with a V8 before Ford made the move to a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 for the truck’s second generation. Of course, even without the V8, the EcoBoost’s 450 horsepower is more than enough for all but the most demanding owners.
All-new 2021 F-150 Platinum in Iconic Silver
Ford has confirmed that the Raptor is coming and noted that it will be sold as a 2021 model. That’s about as much as anyone knows for now, as the company hasn’t handed out any detail on its specific release date, pricing, or features.
Images: Ford Motor Company
