This is the wild new 700bhp Ford F-150 Raptor R

Ford has revealed a new range-topping trim level on one of its most popular vehicles. ‘Range-topping’ here meaning a socking great V8 slung in the nose of an F-150 pickup truck.

Welcome, brave souls, to the 700bhp Ford F-150 Raptor R.

It is, in Ford’s own words, “the fastest, most powerful, most extreme high-performance off-road desert Raptor yet”. Taking its cue from Raptors past – all inspired by trophy trucks – this new R is the “ultimate Raptor”.

Underneath, it wears the same heart that powers the Mustang Shelby GT500. That means a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 punching out 700bhp and 640lb ft of torque. Ford Performance recalibrated this unit, installing a new pulley to the supercharger for better torque delivery in the low-to-mid rpm range.

The exhaust manifolds are stainless steel now too, and there’s an upgraded oil cooler and filter, a deeper oil pain, and a wider air-intake inlet and high-flow air filter for 66 per cent greater intake volume. In short, it’ll gulp in great lungfuls of air.

The ten-speed ‘box attached to this V8 also gets a better calibration, and the front axle features a stronger carrier casting and structural cover to manage the extra torque. The driveshaft’s a larger aluminium unit, there’s a “specially tuned” torque converter with a heavy duty turbine damper too.

Should sound fruity, thanks to a dual exhaust system with a valve that allows for various settings (normal, sport, quiet and Baja – all fairly self-explanatory). Suspension is via 24in springs and active Fox shocks specially tuned for the R. Ford claims wheel travel of 13in up front, and 14.1in out back, so at the very least, the supermarket kerbs should be absolutely fine.

It's identifiably a Raptor R, thanks to orange ‘R’ badges, a POWER DOME on the bonnet, some black detailing, a graphics pack and actual Recaro sport seats. Recaros, in an F-150. There’s of course plenty of the regular F-150 Raptor goodies and lots of connectivity.

Though one suspects the only connection you’ll really be looking out for is the one between you and that V8. “When customers experience Raptor R in the desert and beyond, it will make the hairs on the back of their necks stand up,” explains Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann.