2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Drag Races Ram 1500 TRX, American V8 Muscle Wins

Although the Hellcat engine is much obliged to break the 200-mph barrier in the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, bear in mind that we're dealing with a heavier vehicle fitted with all-terrain rubber shoes. The same applies to the Ford F-150 Raptor R and S550-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Speaking of which, the R-ified Raptor doesn't come with launch control because the Blue Oval designed its Predator-engined truck for off-road shenanigans.

Tipping the scales at 5,950 pounds (nearly 2,700 kilograms), the R is a little bit lighter than Ram's go-anywhere rig. For the TRX, the stated weight is 6,350 pounds (circa 2,880 kilograms) in the lightest form.

The R also introduced 37-inch tires to Ford's half-ton pickup truck, whereas the Ram 1500 TRX has 35s. Although smaller tires mean less resistance under acceleration from a dig, you'll be surprised to see the more powerful and torquier pickup lose three out of three drag races. On full song, the Ram produces 702 horsepower and a cool 650 pound-feet (881 Nm).

By comparison, the Raptor R is down 2 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of tire-shredding twist. Curb weight, however, does make a world of difference in a quarter-mile showdown. Pictured at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, the white-painted trucks clocked bests of 12.503 and 12.692 seconds, respectively. The Raptor R also carried more speed over the quarter mile, namely 109.11 miles per hour (175.595 kilometers per hour) compared to a respectable 106.81 mph (171.894 kph) for the TRX.

It should be highlighted that both trucks are limited by their engine control module software in terms of top speed. You already know the Ram 1500 TRX hits 118 miles per hour with ease, and that's 4 miles per hour better than the R's 114 mph (183 kph). The V6-engined Raptor with the standard 35-inch tires, on the other hand, is faster still at 120 mph (193 kph).

Ford has recently facelifted the F-150 for the 2024 model year, and this mid-cycle refresh also comes with more oomph for the Raptor R. Unfortunately, the Dearborn-based automaker hasn't yet published the output figures. Stellantis, meanwhile, is downsizing from the 6.2-liter Hellcat to a twin-turbocharged sixer for the 2025 model year Ram 1500 TRX.

Advertised as the Hurricane, the 3.0-liter mill cranks out 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The HurriCrate CatX crate engine targets horsepower in the mid-1,000s, whereas the HurriCrate Cat3 offers 550 horsepower. It remains to be seen what tune the 2025 model year TRX will run, but chances are that Stellantis will massage said inline-six engine to 700-odd ponies.