Ford Performance, the successor to the SVT team that gifted the world the original Ford F-150 Raptor, has revealed extensive details about the new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. The latest trim level to join the already extensive Bronco lineup, the Bronco Raptor takes inspiration from the Ultra4 racing series and features several competition-level hardware bits and features. Ford will sell the Raptor in street-legal form as the new flagship of the Bronco brand.
What is the Bronco Raptor?
Based on the standard four-door Bronco, the Bronco Raptor is the ne plus ultra version, sporting extensive upgrades and changes, including a powertrain, chassis, suspension, exterior, and interior designed for hardcore rock crawling and high-speed desert running. It’s also 9.8-inches wider than a standard Bronco, thanks to the massive flares covering the oversized axles and rolling stock.
A specially tuned twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost engine tweaked with intercooling and air-induction systems engineered to survive high-temperature desert conditions is good for over 400 horsepower. The current Bronco lineup uses either a 2.4-liter turbo-four or a 2.7-liter turbo V6 with a maximum output of 330 horsepower on premium fuel. Ford hasn’t confirmed it, but it makes sense that the Bronco Raptor’s twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.0-liter V6 is a version of the engine found in certain Lincoln models and the Ford Explorer ST. In the Bronco Raptor, it exhales through a true dual exhaust with active valves that shape the exhaust note with four driver-selectable modes: Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja. A 10-speed automatic transmission and three-mode (two-high, four-high and four low) four-wheel drive is standard and provides a 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
The Raptor will use Bronco’s G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes Terrain Management system, adding Baja Mode to the mix. The Raptor also gets a Tow/Haul mode and a tow rating of 4,500 pounds (1,000 pounds more than the base Bronco).
Ford Bronco Raptor Suspension and Tires
Ford beefed up the Raptor’s frame to handle increased suspension travel and track width. The frame is fully boxed and made from high-strength steel with new shock towers. The structure is supplemented by substantial bash and skid plates, continuously protecting the driveline from the front bumper to the back of the transfer case. In addition, engineers reinforced the B-pillars and C-pillars, resulting in a claimed 50% increase in torsional rigidity.
Front and rear axles get upgraded with Ford-Performance developed Dana components. A Dana semi-float 50 Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK with a 235-millimeter ring gear replaces the factory Broncos’ solid unit, and a Dana 44 AdvanTEK pulls front duty. These upgraded axles count for 8.6 inches of additional track width over a base Bronco—so buyers should check their garages and trailers for compatibility. A higher-capacity clutch has been fitted, along with an upgraded transfer case.
Like the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor gets Fox shocks with a position-sensitive damping design and Live Valve technology. Simply put, data gathered by suspension height and numerous additional sensors monitor terrain conditions hundreds of times a second and adjust suspension tuning accordingly. Working with new front and rear control arms designed in-house by Ford Performance, the Bronco Raptor has front wheel travel of up to 13.0 inches and up to 14.0 inches at the rear, increases of 60- and 40%, says Ford.
The Bronco Raptor’s standard 17-inch wheels come wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, dethroning the Bronco Sasquatch’s 35-inchers as the tallest factory Bronco tires on offer. Ford says the massive tires are the biggest available on any factory SUV. Beadlock-capable wheels are also available. The electric power steering rack and housing have been upgraded and use larger diameter inner and outer tie-rod ends.
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Styling
The Bronco Raptor has model-specific LED headlights with amber daytime running lights and integrated amber marker lamps. The heavy-duty modular steel bumper features tow hooks and removable bumper end caps. Removable LED fog lamps and off-road lamps are standard equipment.
Ford’s designers pretty much stripped the base Bronco bare and replaced its panels with unique-to-Raptor front and rear quarter-panels, fenders, fender flares, and door appliques. The Raptor’s hood, wider front fender flares, and integrated bodyside heat extraction ducts are sculpted from sheet-molding compound rather than steel or aluminum.
Buyers can choose to add an available Bronco Raptor graphics package for splatter graphics, overlapping broken trapezoids, and floating shapes across their Raptors. At launch, the exterior color list is Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Velocity Blue Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Grey, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Oxford White and Code Orange.
The Raptor’s interior wasn’t immune to upgrades and changes, either. A new Performance View supplements the digital instrument cluster. With paddle shifters and Raptor-specific controls, a new steering wheel faces high-bolster front seats with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl and a rubberized washout floor. Code Orange accents abound in the cabin, and low-gloss carbon fiber touchpoints show up on the grab handles, steering-wheel bezel, gear shifter, and elsewhere. In addition, buyers can select exclusive Code Orange seat belts to amplify the Raptor’s style for a final touch.
What is Ultra4 Racing?
Ultra4, or Unlimited 4 Wheel Drive, racing began as a class in the King of the Hammers off-road races, which take place in Johnson Valley, California, each February. According to the Ultra4 Racing website, “The defining characteristic of this class is that all cars must be capable of 4-wheel drive. Beyond that, the class is unlimited.” Ultra4 has expanded to eight races in the U.S., four races in Europe, one in Australia, and an exhibition in China. The vehicles in Ultra4 are capable of speeds over 100 mph and retain the ability to perform technical rock-crawling segments. Ford is one of the series’ sponsors and “the official vehicle” of King of the Hammers and Ultra4 Racing. The new Bronco Raptor will be on display at the 2022 running of the King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, on February 3.
2022 Ford Bronco Price and On-Sale Date
Customers can start placing orders for the 2022 Bronco Raptor in March, with vehicles expected to arrive by summer. Ford is granting ordering preference to customers who already have existing reservations to purchase a 2022 Bronco.
Ford says the 2022 Bronco Raptor will start around $69,995, a little more than twice the price of a base four-door Bronco. Plus, we bet they’ll be a hefty options sheet as well. A 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor starts at $65,375, a little more than twice the price of a base F-150. The 2022 Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch Package starts at $50,425, but, even with the Sasquatch package, is a vastly different vehicle than the Bronco Raptor.
