(By Tom Lohnes) – The Ford Bronco has made quite a splash in the SUV scene since it was released in the Summer of 2020. With retro looks, an available manual transmission, and both 2 and 4-door bodystyles, it is safe to say the Bronco brought back what Ford was missing from their lineup for the past 25-ish years. But some people weren’t pleased. They wanted more. So, Ford has delivered. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Bronco Raptor.

Developed by the same team that made the near infinitely capable F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor is the first model that isn’t a truck to carry the dinosaur-themed nameplate. That being said, the name is about the least interesting part of the Bronco Raptor. Shown in possibly the most aggressive Ford color ever, Code Orange, this souped-up Bronco sits on 37-inch tires as standard and of course sports the well-known Raptor grille with “FORD” spelled across the front of the Bronco so you have no trouble figuring out what it is. If you somehow still haven’t figured it out, another Raptor-specific design cue is that the LED DRLs light up in orange now, instead of white on the standard model. Also, the Raptor sports different, tougher-looking taillights than the normal version. While we’re on the topic of exterior design, it is important to note that the Raptor version is a staggering 9.8” wider than the standard Bronco with the sasquatch off-road package. A good note, the Sasquatch with 35-inch tires is already 86.2 inches wide, so it is safe to say that this thing is massive. And, for all of you die-hard Bronco enthusiasts, yes, the top and doors still come off.

Inside, the Raptor is shockingly different than the lesser Broncos. With suede seats that can come in the same rhapsody blue color that the F-150 Raptor with the 37-performance pack comes with, the Raptor also sets itself apart with carbon-fiber trim. On the steering wheel there are new drive-mode buttons, and of course the massive paddle shifters that have been a hallmark of the Raptor since 2016. Behind that steering wheel, the partially-digital cluster that is in lower models is ditched in favor of a much better-looking full-digital one. The center stack remains just about the same, but gains the upgraded 12” infotainment system as standard, and gets some more orange touches. The backseat remains basically the same except in suede, and the Raptor gets some pretty cool-looking orange seatbelts.

That’s enough talk about appearance, what about under the hood? Well, the Bronco Raptor comes with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 that is similar to the one in the Explorer ST. No official horsepower number has been released yet, but Ford did confirm that the number is over 400. No word on torque yet. All of this power goes through a 10-speed automatic, and of course a very advanced 4WD system is standard. In terms of exhaust, the Bronco Raptor rocks a true dual-outlet system, with near-equal-length pipes and active valve technology so you can choose how quiet or loud you want your Bronco to be. and  There isn’t any real number on how much higher the Raptor is, but they did show it right next to a lesser Sasquatch model and it is considerably taller.

In terms of suspension, Ford knows how to make a vehicle go fast on loose surfaces. According to Ford, the Bronco Raptor is designed for “Highway-speed desert racing and Baja rock crawling”, so it is safe to say that this thing will be ridiculous off-road. Taking inspiration from Ultra 4 off-road racers, the Bronco Raptor sports “High-performance Off-Road Stability Suspension”, better known as HOSS 4.0. Developed with Fox, the Bronco Raptor features live-valve technology and height sensors to monitor exactly how well the Raptor is doing on the trail. If you are familiar with the Bronco, you will know that the standard model uses a live axle in the rear and an independent setup in the front. That is the same thing here, just with heavy-duty inner and outer tie rods to make sure nothing bad happens when you decide to beat on this thing.

No pricing has been announced yet, or an expected production time. Stay tuned, because by the looks of it Ford may have just blown all competition out of the water.

Desert-Racing, Rock-Crawling 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Debuts as Most Powerful Street-Legal Bronco Ever 

• All-new 2022 Ford Bronco^® Raptor^™, designed and engineered by Ford Performance to be the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV, is capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling
• Bronco Raptor packs extreme Built Wild^™ capability and durability with an exclusive twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine targeted to deliver more than 400 horsepower*, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame, and standard 37-inch all-terrain tires
• At 9.8 inches wider than a base Bronco four-door for more confident high-speed cornering, Bronco Raptor epitomizes extreme Built Wild design with race-inspired features inside and out, accented by Raptor-family signature cues

  DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 24, 2022 – Two icons that have tackled off-road terrain for years are coming together to take on even more: Bronco^® and Raptor^™. Built for desert running and boulder crawling, the all-new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor gives off-roaders next-level performance.

  Bronco Raptor, the newest member of the Bronco outdoor brand of Built Wild^™ SUVs, debuts today as the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever, and the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV. Ford Performance, the same team that produces the F-150 Raptor, designed and engineered Bronco Raptor as a calling to hardcore off-road enthusiasts.

  Bronco Raptor is equipped with elite off-road technology and hardware. Ultra4 Racing is the epitome of grueling off-road competition, featuring demanding races such as the famed King of the Hammers in the Johnson Valley in California, where Bronco Raptor will be on display on Feb. 3. Ford and Bronco will continue as the official truck and SUV of the Ultra4 series.

  “We poured all of our passion and all of our Bronco and Raptor know-how into creating this absolute desert-racing beast,” said Jim Farley, chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “It’s the real deal. It’s not for show and it’s not for everybody. But for people who love to get out in the wild, it’s the ultimate. And only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor.”

  Ford Performance unleashes extreme Built Wild capability and durability   

  To build the world’s first Ultra4-inspired SUV, Ford Performance set the bar high. Bronco Raptor had to be even faster and bring more off-road capability, agility and maneuverability than Bronco already delivers.

  “We had to build the Bronco Raptor – it’s our ultimate vehicle for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who demand something more,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Like the Ultra4 desert race trucks, the ‘Raptor of SUVs’ conquers desert dunes at highway speeds and is equipped with competition-level off-road technology and hardware.”

  Starting with the Bronco frame foundation, the Ford Performance team knew it needed a Raptor-specific version for increased suspension travel and track width for handling stability during high-speed desert runs. At the Raptor core is a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with new shock towers that increase wheel travel and off-road durability. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous driveline coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case. In the upper body, B-pillar cross bar and C-pillar reinforcement help deliver a greater than 50% total body-in-prime torsional rigidity increase over a standard Bronco four-door model.

  Competition-level, Ford Performance-developed axles, also used on the Bronco DR race truck, further deliver on the Ultra4-inspiration. The solid rear axle is upgraded to a semi-float Dana 50^™ Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK^® with 235-millimeter ring gear, while the Dana 44^™ AdvanTEK front-drive unit includes upgraded half-shafts with 210-millimeter ring gear. These upgraded front and rear axles increase the track width by 8.6 inches (73.6 inches versus 65.0 inches) over a base Bronco for even more sure-footed confidence. Larger front and rear driveshafts support increased wheel torque. Bronco Raptor also runs with a minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, 4.8 inches more than a base four-door model.

  An advanced 4×4 system with three modes includes a higher-capacity clutch designed to withstand the demands of high-performance desert events. The upgraded transfer case also features a 3.06 4×4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.

  The Ford Performance team collaborated with FOX^™ to upgrade the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system with Live Valve technology. Similar to the F-150 Raptor truck’s position-sensitive damping design, the Raptor HOSS 4.0 system features FOX 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers (3.1-inch diameter) that are uniquely tuned at the front and rear and feature integrated reservoirs up front and remote reservoirs in rear. Suspension height sensors and other sensors at each corner monitor terrain conditions independently hundreds of times every second and adjust suspension tuning accordingly.

  Unique Ford Performance-designed front and rear control arms help deliver maximum wheel travel of 13.0 inches in front and 14.0 inches at the rear, or 60% and 40% more, respectively, than a Bronco base model. To deliver the confidence and high-speed needs of the world’s first Ultra4-inspired SUV, the Ford Performance team reached out to BFGoodrich for standard 37-inch KO2 all-terrain tires (37×12.50R17LT), the largest of any production SUV in America**. Two Ford Performance-designed 17-inch x 8.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels are available. An electric-power steering rack and housing influenced by F-150 Raptor, as well as larger-diameter inner and outer tie rod ends, were added to further upgrade Bronco Raptor.

  To give Bronco Raptor even more desert-running power, the Ford powertrain team developed the proven twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine with specific Raptor-level tuning to meet Ford Performance standards. With a target of more than 400 horsepower*, Bronco Raptor will be the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever, with intercooling and air-induction systems designed to endure the higher ambient desert temperatures.

  For higher-speed desert capabilities or crawling over rocks, the compacted graphite iron-block engine, which saves weight while providing strength for added durability, is paired with a 10-speed SelectShift^™ automatic transmission tuned to meet Ford Performance standards. A true dual-exhaust system, featuring first-for-Bronco active-valve technology, uses near-equal-length pipes for an improved exhaust note. The system allows drivers to alter the sound of their Bronco Raptor with four selectable exhaust modes, including Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.

• Bronco Raptor builds on the brand’s exclusive G.O.A.T. Modes^™ (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System^™ designed to help drivers better navigate off-road. Seven driver-selectable modes include a uniquely tuned Baja Mode that activates a turbo anti-lag calibration to maximize performance over high-speed desert runs. New to Bronco is Tow/Haul mode, which helps enable a tow rating of 4,500 pounds, a 1,000-pound improvement over the base model. Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Driving are also included.
• Raptor styling with extreme Built Wild innovative design  

  The first-ever Bronco Raptor delivers purpose-built design, infusing Raptor-family signature cues with the truck’s Built Wild innovative design.

  “As the most badass Bronco yet, the Bronco Raptor design is extreme,” said Paul Wraith, Bronco design chief. “It’s muscular, while maintaining an underlying simplicity with performance-focused details added only for outstanding high-speed capability.”

  Familiar Ford block lettering at the front stretches across the signature two-piece rectangular grille. Model-specific LED headlights featuring amber daytime running lamps and integrated amber marker lamps further tie in the DNA of Raptor to provide a menacing look. A heavy-duty modular steel front bumper by Ford Performance features tow hooks, removable bumper end caps for improved off-road clearance, integrated removable Rigid LED fog lamps and Rigid off-road lamps for greater illumination.

  The hood on Bronco Raptor is made of sheet-molding compound, offering the design team the ability to dramatically sculpt its muscular shape. An integrated hood vent is molded-in-color Carbon Black and fender vents are painted body color. Raptor logos on the left and right of the hood bulge hint at the twin-turbo power underneath.

  Bronco Raptor proudly leverages the Bronco SUV’s patented off-road modular design, stripped it to its base, and replaced components with unique-to-Raptor front and rear quarter-panels, fenders, fender flares and door appliques. Sheet-molding compound is once again used to sculpt the wider front fenders and integrated bodyside heat extraction ducts, which provide additional engine cooling. Sheet-molding compound rear-quarter panels are equally bolstered for a muscular look. Together with fender flares, Bronco Raptor sits 9.8 inches wider than a standard Bronco. Bronco Raptor-specific reinforced rock rails with removable running boards increase rock crawling capability.

  For even more Raptor-styling DNA, an available Bronco Raptor Graphics Package includes new splatter graphics on the rear bodysides and hood that use an overlapping broken trapezoidal pattern and floating shapes to present a sophisticated digital appearance. Exterior colors include Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Velocity Blue Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Oxford White, plus Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange paint.

  Race-focused with a performance-optimized interior 

  Bronco Raptor features a familiar heritage-inspired horizontal dash, integrating an all-digital 12-inch cluster. The cluster allows drivers to select from various views, including a Bronco Raptor-exclusive Performance View that emphasizes tachometer and gear readings and allows the customization of gauges.

  “The Bronco Raptor interior was designed around what we know hardcore off-road racers want in a vehicle,” said Ryan Olsson, design manager. “From the all-new Performance View on the cluster and unique steering wheel with paddle shifters and fingertip access to Raptor-specific controls, to its race-ready, high-bolster front seats, Bronco Raptor leaves the factory ready for the starting line.”

  Base Bronco Raptor models are equipped with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring. The dark interior is accented with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes on the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial, dash vents, door netting, steering wheel stitching and Bronco logo on the instrument panel. Even the push-button ignition lights up in Code Orange. Touchpoints such as the grab handles, steering wheel bezel and gear shifter wear low-gloss carbon fiber accents.

  Owners can opt for upgraded features such as all-new laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper, leather-wrapped outer seat bolsters and carpet flooring. A thicker and sport-contoured steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and gloss black Raptor logo center continues the Ford Performance treatment. Ford Performance-designed front seats are unique to Bronco Raptor, designed with aggressive foam side bolsters to help keep passengers firmly seated when the terrain gets nasty. Available Code Orange seat belts provide even more Ford Performance style.

  Bronco Raptor comes standard with a High Package that includes SYNC^®4 with 12-inch touchscreen with swipe capability, information on-demand panel and enhanced voice recognition. Other technology features include an exterior camera with 360-degree viewing capability. The Lux Package is available for customers looking for even more human-centered technology, such as an available 10-speaker B&O audio system and Adaptive Cruise Control.

  Customers can begin placing orders in March. A majority of the 2022 model year Bronco Raptor allocation will go to existing reservation holders based upon their original reservation timestamp. Ford will send communications later this month soliciting reservation holders’ interest in Bronco Raptor. Vehicles will begin to arrive this summer.

• *Horsepower rating based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard. Your results may vary.
  **Assembled in the USA with domestic and foreign parts.