The Bronco Raptor is going to come equipped with the best off-road technology and hardware available from Ultra4 Racing. Ultra4Racing is known for its off-road competition products with races such as the King of the Hammers under their belt. You can catch this Ford Bronco Raptor on display at this race in the Johnson Valley in California on February 3rd.
“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.”
Ford Bronco Raptor Performance
As a leader in high-performance vehicles, Ford Performance knew they had to set the bar high with the Bronco Raptor. Building the first Ultra4-inspired SUV in the world meant that this Bronco needed to be faster and more off-road capable than other models.
“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.”
To kick things off in the right direction, the Ford Performance team started with the Bronco’s frame foundation. To ensure that the Bronco Raptor had adequate space for increased suspension travel and track width to increase handling stability, a Raptor-specific version had to be created. This meant utilizing a fully-boxed, high-strength steel frame with a redesigned shock tower to increase wheel travel and give the Bronco better off-road durability. Underneath the Bronco Raptor, you will notice a heavy-duty bash and skid plate set up to protect the driveline from the bumper to the back of the engine. A B-pillar cross-bar and C-pillar reinforcement were added to help increase the total body-in-prime torsional rigidity by more than 50% over a standard 4-door Bronco.
Moving on to the driveline, Ford Performance developed competition-level axles, the same used on the Bronco DR race truck, to help add to the Ultra4 theme. The team upgraded the factory solid rear axle to a semi-float Dana 50™ Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK® which utilized a 235-mm ring gear. The Dana 44™ AdvanTEK front-drive unit got upgraded half-shafts with a 210-mm ring gear. This upgraded front and rear axle setup helped to increase the track width of the Bronco Raptor by 8.6 inches over a base Bronco. To support the increased wheel torque, a larger front and rear driveshaft were installed. In case you were wondering, the Bronco Raptor will have a minimum ground clearance of 13.4-inches, a 4.8-inch increase over the 4 door base model.
Utilizing an advanced 4x4 system, the Bronco Raptor will have three 4x4 modes that include a higher-capacity clutch that is perfect for high-performance desert events. You will also get an upgraded transfer case that includes a 3.06 4x4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
Keeping the same great suspension as seen on previous Raptors, Ford Performance teamed up with FOX™ to upgrade the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system with Live Valve technology. This features FOX 3.1 Internal Bypass Semo-Active Dampers. Similar to the F-150 Raptors. One of the most impressive features of this system is the suspension height sensors and other sensors mounted on each corner that monitor terrain conditions independently hundreds of times per second to adjust your suspension tuning accordingly.
The front and rear control arms were uniquely designed by Ford performance to help deliver maximum wheel travel. This helps to achieve wheel travel of 13-inches in the front and 14-inches in the rear. A 60% and 40% gain over the base model Bronco. If you are still eyeing the tires on this Bronco, you are not alone. Ford Performance worked with BFGoodrich to get the best tire for confidence and high-speed needs on this Ultra4-inspired SUV. These 37-inch KO2 all-terrain tires are the largest tires of any production SUV in America. These tires are a perfect combination for the pair of Ford Performance 17x8.5 bead-lock capable wheels that you can choose from.
With Performance in its name, we knew that Ford Performance was going to stuff a powerful engine in this SUV. The Bronco Raptor features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine with Raptor-level tuning. Ford Performance states that this will be the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever, boasting more than 400 horsepower in factory trim. To help keep the engine cool during desert conditions, intercooling and air induction systems were designed specifically for the Bronco.
Ford Performance paired the twin-turbo EcoBoost with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission to achieve higher-speed desert and rock crawling capabilities. This Bronco will also sport a true dual-exhaust system with active-valve technology, a first for the Bronco. This allows the driver to select between 4 different exhaust modes: Normal, Sport, Quiet, and Baja. We personally can’t wait to get in and try them each ourselves.
If you have heard anything about the Bronco, you have most likely heard about its exclusive G.O.A.T Modes™ (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System™. This system was designed by Ford to help Bronco drivers navigate more easily off-road. You can choose from 7 different modes to maximize performance during just about any type of driving. What we are most excited to try out is the uniquely-tuned Baja Mode. This mode activates a turbo anti-lag calibration, perfect for high-speed desert runs. This Bronco Raptor will also include a Tow/Haul mode, enabling a tow rating of 4,500 lbs. A 1,000lb upgrade from the base model Bronco. You will also get Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist, and Trail One-Pedal Driving included in this model.
Ford Bronco Raptor Exterior
As a perfect mixture of Bronco and Raptor styling, the Bronco Raptor takes many cues from the Raptor while showcasing the Built Wild design.
“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.”
Looking at the front of this Bronco, you will instantly see the similarities. Featuring a signature two-piece rectangular grille and the familiar Ford block lettering, you get the Raptor-inspired theme right off the bat. Model-specific LED headlights that feature amber daytime running lights and amber marker lamps are also styling cues that were brought over from the Raptor. Ford Performance created a beautiful, heavy-duty, modular steel front bumper that includes tow hooks, removable bumper end caps, and LED lamps to keep your trail lit up.
The body of the Bronco Raptor includes a sheet-molding compound hood and unique-to-Raptor front and rear quarter-panels, fenders, fender flares, and door appliques. Raptor logos can be found throughout the Bronco’s exterior, letting you know exactly what type of Bronco this is. The added fender flares make the Bronco Raptor sit 9.8-inches wider than a standard Bronco. Finishing off the off-road-ready Bronco exterior are Raptor-specific reinforced rock rails with removal running boards to increase its rock-crawling capabilities.
Bronco Raptor Colors
- 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
- Ford Performance Code Orange
Ford Bronco Raptor Interior
Moving onto the interior of the Bronco Raptor, you will notice Ford Performance utilized a familiar heritage-inspired horizontal dash that elegantly displays the all-digital 12-inch cluster. While the cluster is not new to Ford vehicles, Bronco Raptor owners can enjoy an exclusive Performance View that emphasizes the tachometer and gear readings for performance driving. You will also get to customize the gauges, but we do not know the full extent of this just yet.
“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.”
For the Base model Bronco Raptor models, you will get Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring for quick and easy clean-outs. This darker interior gets a splash of color with the Ford Performance Cod Orange accents found across the interior, including the push-button switch illumination. Low-Gloss Carbon Fiber can be found on touchpoints including the grab handles, steering wheel bezel, and gear shifter.
Bronco Raptor owners can upgrade to premium features including Black Onyx Neo suede seats, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper, leather-wrapped outer seat bolters, and carpet flooring. For a Ford Performance treatment, a thicker and sport contoured steering wheel with magnesium panhandle shifter and gloss black Raptor logo center is added. You can also get Ford Performance-designed front seats that are unique to Bronco Raptor that include aggressive side bolsters to keep you secure when trails get tough. Choose Code Orange seat belts to make your Bronco even more unique.
Bronco Raptor comes standard with a High Package that includes SYNC®4 with the 12-inch touchscreen with swipe capability, information on-demand panel, and enhanced voice recognition. Other technology features include 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.
Customers can begin placing orders in March. A majority of the 2022 model year Bronco Raptor allocation will go to existing reservation holders based upon their original reservation timestamp. Ford will send communications later this month soliciting reservation holders’ interest in Bronco Raptor. Vehicles will begin to arrive this summer.
Credit: Ford Performance
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor cost?
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is estimated to start at around $70,000.
When can I order a 2022 Bronco Raptor?
It is anticipated that orders for the 2022 Bronco Raptor can be placed in early 2022.
What engine will the Bronco Raptor have?
The 2022 Bronco Raptor performance options have not yet been confirmed, but it will most likely have a 3.0L EcoBoost engine with twin turbochargers.
