The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has arrived, and it looks like something we as children may have drawn. In addition to the massive fender torches, the Raptor transformation includes more power from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 and similar hardware to Ford’s F-150 Raptor pickup, from long-distance suspension and 37-inch tires to customizable Fox Racing shocks.
Internally called Warthog, the Raptor has massive tires and sturdy suspension to complement the already capable Bronco hardware, including locking front and rear axles and a detached front anti-roll bar. Ford says this package is inspired by the combination of high-speed desert racing and rock-climbing that takes place at Ultra4 racing events like King of the Hammers.
Tires, suspension, clearances
If you locate an imaginary line from the center of the 37 × 12.50R-17 LT BFGoodrich KO2 field tires, you will find it is more or less in line with the bodywork. To accommodate the 9.8-inch wider track, there are 85.7-inches between the Raptor’s screens, making this Bronco almost as wide as the F-150 Raptor and also necessitating amber marker lights in accordance with Department of Transportation regulations.
Although optional on the F-150 Raptor, the tires come standard on the Bronco Raptor, bringing dramatic improvements in clearances and capabilities. Approach, breakthrough and departure angles increase by 3.5 to 4.5 degrees. As on the F-150, the tires are mounted on 17-inch wheels that accept an additional beaded rim.
The 37-inch tires and additional springboard have brought a variety of challenges for Ford engineers. Mounting the heavier spare wheel and tire on the tailgate required additional carrier reinforcement. The size also meant that Ford had to push the taillights outwards. Look at the back of the new center taillight and you will see “RAPTOR” pushed back so that it reads right in the rearview mirror.
The standard Bronco‘s independent front and solid rear axle setup has been upgraded to withstand durability needs for serious fieldwork performance, with a Dana 44 front and Dana 50 rear axle with a 235 mm ring gear.
The 3.1-inch-diameter Fox Racing shocks are the same setup as the F-150 Raptor’s, with external reservoirs in the rear but Bronco-specific valve. The brakes, wheels and tires will even bolt up to the F-150, although the wheel adjustment is different.
New shock mounts and control arms allow longer wheel travel, up to 13 inches in front and 14 inches behind, like the F-150 Raptor. The upper front control arms even have a slight bend to clear the body as they rotate through the range of motion. Additional front and rear shock absorbers help absorb the load after landing sweet jumps, while new wires on the trailer hook help increase the drag rating to 4,500 pounds.
Engine, gearbox and exhaust
It should come as no surprise that the Bronco Raptor does not have a V-8. Instead comes the power upgrade of a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 as you would find under the hood of a Ford Explorer ST. The engine has some additions and modifications to the Raptor, including new turbochargers.
Ford did not specify horsepower and torque, but says the target is 400 horsepower. In the Explorer ST, the engine delivers that amount of power and 415 pound-feet of torque. That might be the only thing Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 owners have left to brag about against the Bronco.
A new Baja Rhyme mode joins the Bronco’s stable settings. This mode has, among other things, an anti-deceleration system that allows exhaust gas to flow when you are off the accelerator to turn the turbos, so that there is a boost when you turn on the petrol pedal again.
Baja mode also opens the dual exhaust system’s electronically controlled valves wide. These valves adjust depending on the ride mode, from neighborhood friendly to The Terror on Nextdoor.
The gearbox is a 10-speed automatic gearbox with unchanged gear ratios. And the low range is 3.06: 1, creating a 67.8: 1 creep ratio that matches the standard Bronco with the automatic and a 4.7: 1 end drive.
Removable end caps and side steps
The Raptor’s new steel buffer features a large steel front bass plate with integrated towing hooks and four Rigid LED fog lights. Two of the inboard fog lights come covered from the factory; Ford says the combined lumens of all four are too bright for legal use on the road.
At each end of the bumper are end caps that, when removed, provide more clearance in front of the wheels. A steel side step is installed on factory rock rails and can also be thrown away by loosening a few bolts.
The rear fenders have replaceable front parts, as Ford found during development that they would be damaged by flying debris.
Interior and Technology
In a snap at the more practical aspects of desert racing, the entry features Bronco Raptor vinyl seats and rubber flooring that you can spray out. A premium option adds softer materials, including carpeting and suede seats with leather-wrapped bolsters.
Regardless of the coverage, the Raptor-specific seats have additional reinforcement to keep you safe, and Ford engineers have also considered headroom with a helmet included.
Behind the driver’s helmet is a new aluminum B-pillar crossbar, while the C-pillar gets a carbon fiber reinforcement structure. Combined with other structural improvements, these parts help increase torsional stiffness by an alleged 50 percent.
Like higher-end versions of the standard Bronco, a 12.0-inch center touchscreen is standard, as well as a comprehensive outdoor camera system. The optional Lux package adds a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and customizable speed control.
Prices and availability
The Bronco Raptor starts at $ 69,995, including shipping costs. By comparison, it costs $ 78,470 to equip a 2022 F-150 Raptor with 37-inch tires, and a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 starts at $ 76,395.
Orders open in March and deliveries begin in the summer. Ford will also have current Bronco booking holders upgrade their order to the Raptor, if required. Fair warning: Ford says they expect most of the 2022 Bronco Raptor SUVs to be snapped up by those existing booking holders.
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