Just when we thought the Ford Bronco with the Sasquatch off-road package was pretty cool stuff, it’s now back-burner stuff as today Ford revealed the 2022 Bronco Raptor high-performance beast. Featuring all the beefed up chassis, appearance and powertrain adds the for which Raptor brand has been known, Ford says this is the fastest street-legal Bronco yet.
Available exclusively in the 4-door model, the Bronco Raptor is nearly 10-inches wider, higher up with a 13.1-inch ground clearance. Mounted up with massive 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires wrapping 17×8 bead-lock capable wheels it certainly looks the part of a high-speed desert brawler.
Functional and styling changes start with wider front fenders and rear quarter panels made of sheet-molded-compound or SMC. That’s plastic. At the front they feature integrated functional vents and have massive fender flares at both ends with a more retro angular wheel opening shape of the classic Broncos of the 1960’s.
A special front grille has FORD lettering across it and three LED marker lights at the top, all framed by LED headlights with unique to Raptor amber daytime running lights. An SMC hood has a more muscular design with a raised black vented dome element with Raptor logos on it.
Below you can see a heavy-duty Ford Performance modular bumper with unique tow hooks and removable end caps that have built-in RIGID LED fog and off-road lights. Underneath it all is a beefy package of skid plates to protect the drivetrain.
At the rear of the Bronco Raptor is a more substantial spare tire carrier and larger CHMSL to handle the massive 37-inch spare tire. Unique LED tail lights and Raptor emblem frame out the wider rear quarters. Seen here as well are a unique C-Pillar cross brace at the rear to go along with an upgraded B-Pillar brace at the top which provide for an increased torsional strength of 50% for the body structure.
While not shown here, you can option the splatter graphics package iconic to the Raptor branding.
Inside are a number of Raptor-exclusive features and upgrades starting with Code Orange accents everywhere. You can even option Code Orange seat belts. Carbon fiber also finds its way to various touch points like grab handles, shift knob and the steering wheel.
Speaking of which that steering wheel is beefier in its grips, features magnesium paddle shifters for its 10-speed automatic transmission and has extra controls on it for the drivetrain and chassis modes not to mention the red centering stripe at the top.
Performance seating features more aggressive side bolsters and are available in a number of different materials and color combinations from base vinyl up to a higher-end perforated suede and leather combination. Also available is the stitched soft trim across the dash shown here.
The instrument cluster features Raptor-exclusive setups and customizations. Standard is the High Package with the SYNC4 12-inch touchscreen and the full 360-degree camera system for off-roading views. A 10-speaker B&O audio system is optional.
But lets talk about the meat. Powering the Bronco Raptor is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with Ford says more than 400 horsepower. That might mean 405, it might mean 425 or more. We’ll have to wait and see. It comes mated to the brand’s stout 10-speed automatic.
The twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine also found in other Ford products here has some specific tweaks to not only give it the extra power but make it last in a Raptor. Its inter-cooler and air-induction system are more substantial among other upgrades.
An active-valve dual-exhaust system gives the Bronco Raptor a healthy sound you can adjust to your liking with four different modes, Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. There’s also a re-calibrated G.O.A.T. mode selection with seven levels including a new Baja Mode with an anti-lag turbo calibration. Why wouldn’t all drive modes have that?
New as well is a Tow/Haul mode which along with the chassis upgrades gives the Bronco Raptor a higher tow rating of 4,500 pounds, some 1,000-pounds more than base models.
Power is great but what really makes the Bronco Raptor is its unique chassis and suspension. With a Raptor specific frame and completely new suspension system, the Raptor has substantially increased ground clearance of 13.1-inches – up 4.8-inches. It’s a lot wider too with a track increase of 8.6-inches.
A unique rear axle has a semi-float Dana 50 Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK locking differential with upgraded axles. At the front is a Dana 44 AdvanTEK locking differential and also upgraded half-shafts – all to handle the extra power and torque. The transfer case features a higher-capacity clutch and a 3.06 Four-Low ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
Making the overland travel fast or slow all happen are new lower and upper front suspension control arms, rear control arms and a healthy coil-over Fox 3.1-inch internal bypass semi-active dampers that have integrated reservoirs up front and remote reservoirs at the rear.
They are continuously adjustable automatically aided by suspension position sensors at each corner and their settings are driver adjustable and/or tied to the selected drive modes. All-in, the beefed up suspension and frame gives the Bronco Raptor an astounding suspension travel of 13-inches at the front and 14-inches at the rear.
Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous drive-line coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case.
Ford will be inviting customers to begin placing orders in March. A bone thrown to the many people already waiting, Ford says the vast majority of 2022 model year Bronco Raptor production will first be available to existing reservation holders based upon when they got in line. Ford will be reaching out to them soon to solicit their interest in the new Raptor.
The new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor arrives this summer with final specifications and pricing to come closer to that time.