2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Bites Hard, Flies High

Another model joins the Ford Bronco family, and it’s the one that performance enthusiasts were eagerly waiting for. The Blue Oval company today unveiled the all-new 2022 Bronco Raptor, which is inspired by both the F-150 Raptor and desert-going Ultra4 Racing machines.

Designed and engineered by Ford Performance, this wild SUV sets the bar extremely high—even higher than the Bronco Wildtrak equipped with Sasquatch package, though maybe not as high as the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. Before we get a chance to play with it and put it to the test, let’s we what’s in store.

Extensively Upgraded Chassis

The Bronco Raptor is built on a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with new shock towers that increase wheel travel to 13 inches up front and 14 inches in the rear. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous driveline coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case during off-road manoeuvres.

The High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) 4.0 system features FOX 3.1 semi-active dampers that are uniquely tuned at the front and rear. Suspension height sensors and other sensors at each corner monitor terrain conditions independently hundreds of times per second and adjust suspension tuning accordingly.

Dana 44 AdvanTEK (front) and Dana 50 heavy-duty AdvanTEK (rear) axles developed by Ford Performance, also used on the Bronco DR race truck, increase the track width by 8.6 inches. The Bronco Raptor also runs with a minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, which is 4.8 inches more than a base four-door model. Of course, it helps to have 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires mounted on those 17-inch Ford Performance wheels.

In the upper body, Ford says B-pillar cross bar and C-pillar reinforcement help deliver a greater than 50 percent total body-in-prime torsional rigidity increase over a standard Bronco four-door model.

Over 400 Horsepower

Unlike the Wrangler Rubicon 392, which boasts a 6.4-litre HEMI V8, the 2022 Bronco Raptor relies on a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine. While the former generates 470 horsepower, the latter is announced with a target of more than 400 horsepower. That’s when using premium gasoline, obviously.

No manual transmission here, just a 10-speed automatic. Naturally, it has been tuned to meet Ford Performance standards. Meanwhile, the G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) terrain management system returns with seven driver-selectable modes including a uniquely tuned Baja mode that activates a turbo anti-lag calibration to maximize performance over high-speed desert runs.

The advanced 4x4 system benefits from a higher-capacity clutch and upgraded transfer case allowing a crawl ratio of up to 67.7:1. Furthermore, a new Tow/Haul mode 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.

And how cool is this: a true dual-exhaust system featuring Bronco-first active-valve technology improves the exhaust note and allows drivers to alter the sound of their Bronco Raptor with four selectable exhaust modes—Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.

Extreme Design for the Most Badass Bronco

When it comes to styling, familiar “FORD” block lettering at the front stretches across the two-piece rectangular grille. The LED headlights are unique to the Bronco Raptor, just like the heavy-duty modular steel front bumper by Ford Performance with integrated tow hooks and removable bumper end caps for improved off-road clearance.

The integrated hood vent is molded-in-colour Carbon Black and fender vents are painted body colour. As you can see, the front and rear quarter-panels, fenders, fender flares and door appliques are exclusive, as well. Specific reinforced rock rails with removable running boards increase rock crawling capability.

There are 10 different body colours to choose from, and 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.

Finally, inside the vehicle, the all-digital 12-inch 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. Various orange accents can be found throughout—even the push-button ignition lights up in orange. The Ford Performance-designed front seats feature aggressive foam side bolsters to help keep passengers firmly seated when the terrain gets nasty.

Ford says customers can start placing orders in March. A majority of the 2022 model year allocation will go to existing reservation holders. The company will send communications later this month soliciting their interest in the Bronco Raptor. Deliveries are scheduled to begin this summer, if all goes well.