The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is Intoxicating. It’s the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever.
With a $69,995 pricetag, the 2022 Bronco Raptor packs a punch as hard as its big brother, the F-150 Raptor. It is rugged, comfortable and very, very capable. The Bronco Raptor is built to accelerate quicker, climb easier over rocks, and fly higher than the regular Bronco. The ultimate Bronco boasts a 400-plus-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, a special long-travel suspension, huge 37-inch tires, and a long list of awesome off-road features.
The Bronco Raptor departs from the regular Bronco from the first glance — exaggerated fender flares and an exclusive grille design with amber lighting elements, Of course, its extensive catalog of custom accessories ensures owners can further tailor their rig their way. While the Raptor is considerably more expensive than the standard-issue Bronco, hardcore enthusiasts will crave its incredible performance.
The Bronco Raptor is ready to go toe-to-toe with the 470-hp Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. Ford says deliveries will begin this summer, and anyone who already has an existing order for the regular Bronco is able to change it to the Raptor.
“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.
“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.”
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Surprisingly, Ford didn’t choose to put a V-8 in the Bronco Raptor, but it features an extra-potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that’s reported to generate 400 horsepower. The engine pairs exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission and an advanced four-wheel-drive system that works in concert with selectable G.O.A.T (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes. The Bronco Raptor has beefier suspension setup than the standard version to handle powering over sand dunes or going airborn, and it has a much wider track that’s set up for better high-speed stability. The Raptorized Bronco is equipped with Fox adaptive dampers from the F-150 Raptor as well as standard 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires. The SUV is rated to tow up to 4500 pounds.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Despite its enhanced off-road abilities, the Bronco Raptor shares its interior design and dimensions with the regular Bronco. That means it comes standard with rubberized flooring, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and an overhead set of auxiliary toggles. For a more luxurious cabin leather-trimmed seats are available. Like regular Bronco, the Raptor also features removable body panels and specifically frameless doors. While it’s only available in a four-door configuration, the Raptor still enjoys all the innovative features found on other models, including exterior mirrors mounted on the base of the windshield that are still usable when the doors are taken off. Likewise, there’s a rack built into the top of its dashboard that allows smartphones and GoPros, which can be plugged into nearby 12-volt outlets, to be mounted there.
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.”
Ford’s latest Sync 4 interface comes with contemporary features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The most desirable options also include a powerful Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Spectacular Design, By The Way…
“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.
