If it’s using the GT500 power plant, why is there durability issues when it supposedly goes beyond 650HP when it makes 760HP in the GT500? I still think it’s NOT the GT500 power plant but a Raptor specific engine. Wasn’t it mentioned before it was “dropping cylinders” on test mules? If you already have that engine in production it shouldn’t change reliability.
My guess; twin turbo V8. Possibly a 5.0 or smaller V8 “ecoboost”
They said "the trucks experienced durability problems" when the engine was turned up- nothing about the engine having issues. S/C V8 is plenty adequate for the next 5 years. TT V8 output is still a decade out- saving that for the 4 digit HP engines.
The durability problems are likely cooling and everything after the transmission- axles, half shafts, u-joints, T-case, knuckles, etc. All getting intentionally abused the driver, 800-900 HP from a overspun blower setup and the weight of some 37" tires. Maybe they crammed even bigger tires on it for testing.
Headline could have read: "Ford is out there with modified prototype trucks, trying to break them. The team will upgrade parts as their bean counters deem appropriate."
M/T is historically anti-Ford. The first paragraph alone has 3 passive aggressive statements about the Raptor.
The S/C V8 Raptor is going to absolutely destroy the TRX. It's going to be a slaughter. "TR-What again?" is going to be the reaction.