New Ford Bronco Raptor Has Thicc Proportions, Impressive Power and Prowess

The just-revealed 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is a thicc new Ford Performance SUV that draws on the heritage of the Bronco, lessons learned from Ultra4 Racing, and modern equipment to deliver an impressive off-roading package.

The 2022 Bronco Raptor joins the Ford F-150 Raptor in the company's North America lineup and the Ranger Raptor in the global Ford Performance lineup. Like all Raptor vehicles, the Bronco Raptor is a technical off-roader that doesn't skimp on style, driveability or comfort.

Ford designed the SUV while it was sitting next to the Bronco R race truck in the company's studio. Engineers and designers were tasked with translating characteristics of the Bronco R into the new Bronco Raptor while keeping in mind that the model had to be a good daily driver.

The new SUV is 9.8 inches wider than the traditional Bronco thanks to its large composite fenders and boxed wheel flares. The Bronco Raptor's track is 8.6 inches wider than the Bronco's. Even with the added width, the SUV still fits within the footprint of the F-150 Raptor.

Designers have replaced the "Bronco" grille with one that reads "Ford", a familiar nod to the Raptor family of products. Marker lights at the center and Bronco LED headlights, now with amber daytime running lights, further tie in the Ford DNA.

Bash and skid plates have been added to the SUV for additional coverage and rigidity.

Its taillights were inspired by Ford's race trucks and include a unique brake light.

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
Amber lights are a signature element of Raptor models in Ford's lineup. Ford Motor Company

The SUV's sheet-molded composite hood, fenders and door appliqués helped to lighten the weight of the model. An additional panel on the rear door adds the strength needed to carry the Bronco Raptor's heavy spare wheel and tire.

Ford will offer the SUV in 10 different paint colors and three Raptor-specific interior schemes.

Some parts of the model are designed to be easily removed, a trait that comes straight from the design for the current generation Bronco's plans. Bolts for the bumper and running boards face out and are ripe for unscrewing; some parts are meant to be sawzall-d off; pieces of the wheel flares that get the most wear and tear can be quickly switched out; and lighting modifications for the front end can be added (lumens coming off new models from the factory are limited by regulation).

Only two of the Bronco Raptor's removable doors fit in the back of the 4-Door model thanks to the SUV's width. The rear cargo space also has a Bronco Raptor-specific extruded aluminum and carbon fiber exoskeleton encroaching on it, which provides extra rigidity.

Much of the model's suspension design geometry has been locked in for the last two years according to Ford's team, with minor design tweaks here and there as the project moved along from test mule to reality, include the angle of the shocks, which had to be moved to allow the plant to build the model within its restrictions.

The Bronco Raptor's fully boxed high-strength steel frame has freshly designed shock towers that deliver increased wheel travel and parts durability. The Bronco models wears Fox dampers with wheel sensors at all four corners. New control arms, larger front and rear driveshafts and a Dana-50 axle are also part of the off-roading capability equation.

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
The new Ford Bronco Raptor is designed to sustain high-speed antics. Ford Motor Company

Ford reps say that the truck has "massive tire clearance" that allows it to "tackle boulders a couple feet tall". Wheel travel measures 13 inches in the front and 14 in the rear. The SUV can tow 4,500 pounds, 1,000 more than the base model Bronco. A new Tow/Haul drive mode is standard.

The 2022 Bronco Raptor wears standard BFGoodrich 37-inch KO2 all-terrain tires, the largest of any production SUV in America, according to the automaker.

The Bronco Raptor features Ford's signature G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System. The drive modes on the Bronco Raptor include a uniquely tuned Baja Mode. Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Driving are standard.

Saying that the model "needs to do what Bronco does and what Raptor does," engineers describe the SUV's G.O.A.T. modes as being able to regulate the transmission and damping to provide optimal torque. My Mode functionality can also further customize the drive experience.

Under the hood is Ford's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Ford hasn't released final power figures for the model yet but the company says that it's targeting over 400 horsepower. Ford promises that the engine will be uniquely tuned for Bronco Raptor to lessen lag.

Ford offers a twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 in its Explorer ST where it delivers 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

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The Bronco currently maxes out with its available 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine that offers up 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

To accommodate the needed airflow to keep the engine running, Ford's team had to create opportunities for additional cooling over what the traditional Bronco has. This resulted in vents on the front sides of the SUV and a Carbon Black integrated hood vent with louvres that feature a unique Easter egg: dates that correlate with race wins in Bronco history.

The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SUV's two-speed transfer case has been upgraded and the SUV's dual exhaust is true.

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has front seats specifically designed for it. Ford Motor Company

The interior of the Bronco Raptor is pretty similar to the traditional Bronco's, with the exception of added carbon fiber accents, unique badging, and specially designed seats. There is also a thick, Ford Performance steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters.

Ford offers the Bronco Raptor with standard Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats. Buyers can upgrade to laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, a vinyl-wrapped instrument cluster and leather-wrapped outer seat bolsters.

Buyers also get the Bronco Raptor with a host of standard technology like a 12-inch infotainment touch screen, a 360-degree camera system, and a 12-inch all-digital gauge cluster that features a unique splash screen. A Performance screen view that alters the traditional look of the gauge cluster and puts the tachometer in the middle, a 10-speaker B&O audio system and adaptive cruise control are available.

Customer orders for the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor open in March. The automaker says that the majority of the 2022 production allotment is expected to go to existing Bronco reservation holders. Vehicles will begin being delivered this summer.

Pricing for the model has yet to be announced.

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Eileen Falkenberg-Hull leads the Autos team at Newsweek. She has written extensively about the auto industry for U.S. News & ... Read more

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