Manoli Katakis 
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is an ultimate muscle car. Overall, it wonderfully strikes a balance between a quintessential super GT car, and a fierce and violent track weapon. This is made possible in no small part by its 5.2L supercharged V8 engine, nicknamed Predator. In the application of the GT500, this fire breather makes 760 horsepower at a screaming 7,300 RPM, and 625 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. On paper, it seems like the perfect Hellcat exterminator. And based on reports, that’s exactly what is going to happen with the next-generation 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor.
Earlier this week, the 2021 Ram TRX was finally revealed. With it came the claims of the world’s most powerful, quickest, and fastest production pickup truck in the world. The 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor may be crashing the party short, however, as Motor1 reports that Ford is not about to take any crap from Ram, and will fit the most powerful V8 engine it has in its arsenal. This would also confirm any suspicion that the new Raptor caught on public roads recently is in fact packing eight cylinders under the hood. But understanding that eight supercharged cylinders could be coming is even better news.
Like what’s eventually expected of Ram, Ford could likely offer the 5.0L Coyote V8 (or 3.5L EcoBoost V6) in a more basic form of the next-generation F-150 Raptor, while offering the Predator V8 as a more top-shelf, more expensive option. It’s unclear if the Predator will be available with the launch of the 2021 F-150 Raptor, or if it will arrive later.
Though the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 produces a staggering 760 horsepower, the Motor1 report says that the engine will make somewhere between 725 and 750 horsepower in the Ford F-150 Raptor. This would be slightly more than the 702 horsepower figure in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, and likely not by accident.
For maximum off-road enjoyment, the new Ford F-150 Raptor will also coil-spring suspension setup, and could see some technology previewed in the 2021 Ford Bronco as well. Design-wise, expect a supersized stance, swollen fenders, cab lights, and its signature FORD grille.
Are we ready?
Question: If Ford is going to offer the 2021 Raptor with their supercharged 5.2L Predator V8 from the Shelby GT500 (making 760 HP), wouldn’t it make amazingly obvious sense to also offer Ford’s 5.2L Predator V8 from the Shelby GT350R (making 527 HP) as the base model to keep the price down (and everybody happy)?
The TRX will still have the upper hand all Dodge has to do is drop the zdemon motor in it. Or the 426 Hellphant.
There were reports of the TRX testing with a Demon engine. Maybe the Redeye calibration. Super plausible!