is hoping their 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R is well worth the wait. Though prospective owners won't be able to get behind the wheel of the V-8 Raptor R until late in 2022, it's already clear it will be taking direct aim at the extremely well-rated Ram TRX.

With much more power than the current

Ford F-150 Raptor

and less weight than the TRX, the 2022 Raptor R could regain its status as the top pickup truck in its class.

Battle of the titans: 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R vs. Dodge Ram TRX

The Ford F-series trucks are long-time favorites of automotive reviewers and consumers alike, though it was the V-8 TRX that completely dazzled during testing and ultimately stole the F-150 Raptor's thunder.

When the dust settled,

MotorTrend

named the TRX the 2021 Truck of the Year, but this doesn’t mean that the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R won’t be able to compete with the best.

Everything starts with the shift from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine to the V-8. With the TRX’s V-8 boasting more than 700 horsepower and 650 pounds of torque, this upgrade for the Raptor almost feels inevitable.

And Ford engineers knew exactly what engine to turn to: the 5.2-liter Predator, which

Ford Authority

called "the most powerful production engine ever built by the Ford Motor Company."

Ford engineers were certainly looking to up the ante this engine—the same one featured in the Mustang Shelby GT500, according to

Ford Authority

. The expected specs for the 2022 Raptor R? Roughly 750 horsepower and 625 pounds of torque.

Though no one will actually know which truck is better in real-world scenarios until next year, indications are that Ford is building a monster. The heightened performance afforded by the new V-8 is arguably the most exciting upgrade.

Specifications for the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R: what we know so far

MORE:

The "Best in Show" Ford Maverick Might Be the Pickup Truck You Didn't Know You Needed

Moving up to the Predator instantly puts the 2022 Ford Raptor R back in competition with the TRX in terms of overall power, with the Raptor R’s additional transmission ratios and lighter-weight design making up for any potential durability issues experienced at peak output, according to MotorTrend.

The

off-road-ready

Raptor R is expected to offer the same two new frames featured in the Raptor (with only slight alterations for the V-8), which offer better wheel articulation from coil-sprung rear suspension.

Even so, the Hellcat-powered TRX is going to be tough to beat in terms of measurables like acceleration and speed. The TRX dazzled reviewers by going 0-60 mph in only 4.1 seconds, according to

MotorTrend

For now, we’ll have to wait and see if the 2022 Raptor R can match this, but considering the 2021 Raptor’s 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds (as reported by

Car and Driver

), plus the 2022 Raptor R’s engine upgrade, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that the pickup will rise to the challenge and even exceed expectations.

As far as aesthetics go, the truck will feature sleek black wheels and a slightly modified grille; some sporty updates over the regular Raptor, according to Ford Authority.

But, as discussed, the biggest changes are under the hood. With a beefed-up engine and improved rear suspension, the Ford Raptor R is expected to be an all-around world-class pickup truck.

Delays push the Raptor R well into 2022, where it will meet with potential competition

MORE:

Ford F-150 Shelby: More Power and Performance Than You'd Ever Need

Although you might catch a glimpse of a Raptor R prototype on the road, you likely won't get into one until later in 2022, according to Ford Authority. And when reviewers finally get their hands on one, there will be plenty of questions to answer.

A big one will be whether rumors cited by MotorTrend are true: does the engine struggle above 650 hp? If those rumors are accurate, the power gap between the Raptor and TRX would remain—a flaw for a high-end pickup truck aiming to be best-in-class.

The high-end pickup truck market itself might also look different by the time the Raptor R is finally on the road. Ford’s own electric

F-150 Lightning

is expected to arrive in 2022. Plus, there are other high-performance electric pickups on the horizon.

Expected to be priced just below the TRX, which starts at around $72,000, the Raptor R could face stiff competition from the

Rivian R1T

Starting near $68,000, the Rivian R1T is in between a mid-size and full-size pickup truck and

Car and Driver

has noted its admirable off-roading capabilities.

Regardless, the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor R is sure to be a major figure on the pickup truck scene. Although consumers will need to drive the truck themselves to be sure, it appears that Ford is preparing a very bold response to the Dodge Ram TRX.

If you’re planning to get the new F-150 Raptor R when it hits dealerships,

Jerry

can help you find the right insurance for it.

A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.

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