Remember we talked about a custom-built Ford Bronco 6×6 a while ago? Well, it’s been a little quiet after those initial renders, priced at $399,000 from Maxlider Brothers Customs, it might be a little too expensive for some, and I’m not sure this ultimate Bronco has since evolved beyond the 3D render stages, strangely enough, I can’t seem to find any info on it anymore on their website, but we digress, as there is a new Bronco being unveiled by none other than Ford themselves.
We’ve had the Ford F150 Raptor, and later this year we’ll be seeing a 760 hp Raptor R being unveiled, but what if you’re not really into pickup trucks, but prefer an SUV with some grunt? Fear not, Ford has you covered with their latest, 400 hp, Bronco Raptor, built for desert running and boulder crawling, the all-new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor gives off-roaders next-level performance.
The Bronco outdoor brand of Built Wild™ SUVs now shows us the most powerful, but still street-legal, Bronco ever, which subsequently also is the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV, which 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.
“Raptor is the apex of our off-road lineup and is now a full lineup with race-proven content and design that you can’t get from anyone else,” said Jim Farley, chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “Only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor.”
And this new 2022 Raptor version of the Ford Bronco isn’t just a cosmetic modification of a base model, Ford Performance developed competition-level axles for this model, add the bespoke shock towers to offer more travel to the already widened track (8.6 inches, 73.6 inches versus 65.0 inches on a base Bronco), 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. An upgraded transfer case also features a 3.06 4×4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
“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.”
Just like the position-sensitive damping design on F-150 Raptor truck, the Raptor HOSS 4.0 system fitted to the Bronco Raptor comes with FOX 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers (3.1-inch diameter), uniquely tuned at the front and rear, boasting integrated reservoirs up front and remote reservoirs in the rear, suspension height sensors and other sensors at each corner monitor terrain conditions independently hundreds of times every second and adjust suspension tuning accordingly.
Bespoke front and rear control arms offer maximum wheel travel of 13.0 inches in front and 14.0 inches at the rear, or 60% and 40% more compared to the Bronco base model, all-terrain BFGoodrich tires are fitted in a large 37-inch size, more specifically KO2 in 37×12.50R17LT specs, the press release states these are the largest tires on any production SUV in America. These big tires can be fitted onto two different, Ford Performance-designed 17-inch x 8.5-inch beadlock-capable wheels.
The twin-turbo 3-Liter EcoBoost® engine comes with a custom Raptor-level tune-up, Ford Performance targets a power output beyond 400 hp, complete with intercooling and air-induction systems designed to endure the higher ambient desert temperatures, coupled to a 10-speed SelectShift™ automatic transmission and a full dual-exhaust system, featuring first-for-Bronco active-valve technology, uses near-equal-length pipes for an improved exhaust note, you can even change the sound of your Bronco Raptor by selecting one of four different modes, including Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.
“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.”
Large Ford block lettering on the front grille, which is still the signature two-piece rectangular model, run into model-specific LED headlights with amber daytime running lamps and integrated amber marker lamps to emphasize the Raptor DNA, and give a menacing look at the same time. The heavy-duty modular front bumper made from steel comes with tow hooks and removable bumper end caps for improved off-road clearance when needed, but also with integrated and removable Rigid LED fog lamps and Rigid off-road lamps so you can take a spin in de desert during the night.
The hood on Bronco Raptor is made of sheet-molding compound, offering the design team the ability to dramatically sculpt its muscular shape, the integrated hood vent is molded-in-color Carbon Black and fender vents are painted body color, naturally, we get those impressive Raptor logos on the left and right of the hood bulge as a reminder of the twin-turbo power hiding below.
The new Bronco Raptor continues on the path of the Bronco SUV’s patented off-road modular design, but goes back to the base and replaces visible parts with unique-to-Raptor ones, like the front and rear quarter-panels, the fenders, the wide fender flares, and the door appliques. Sheet-molding compound is used on the wider front fenders and integrated bodyside heat extraction vents for additional engine cooling. The same material is used for the aggressive-looking rear-quarter panels, when you add the fender flares, the Bronco Raptor sits 9.8 inches wider than a standard Bronco while bespoke Bronco Raptor rock rails with removable running boards increase rock-crawling capability.
To really get the complete Raptor look, you can opt for the Bronco Raptor Graphics Package which 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.
As for the interior, we find the familiar heritage-inspired horizontal dash inside the Bronco Raptor, showing an all-digital 12-inch cluster with 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.”
On the base model Bronco Raptor you’ll get Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring while this dark interior does get 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, the push-button ignition also lights up in Code Orange, while the grab handles, steering wheel bezel and gear shifter come in a satin-gloss carbon fiber finish.
But there are some really interesting options available, like the all-new laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, a 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 while the 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 features some amazing standard fitments, like the High Package with SYNC®4, a 12-inch touchscreen with swipe capability, information on-demand panel and enhanced voice recognition, but also 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.
If you are interested in adding the 2022 Bronco Raptor to your driveway, you can get your order in from March, do keep in mind that most of the MY2022 Bronco Raptor allocations will get distributed to existing reservation holders, on a first-come-first-serve basis, Ford will actually start sending out communications later this month to reservation holders and ask about their interest in a Bronco Raptor, first deliveries are planned for the summer of 2022.
