SUV arrives with 'race-ready' suspension, beefed-up frame and special 'Baja' driving mode
Ford Performance has launched its 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor and confirmed it will be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 that will produce ‘at least’ 298kW.
Picking up where the Ranger Raptor left off, the wild Bronco Raptor features extensive upgrades and reengineering compared to the standard rugged SUV with all aimed at improving both high-speed stability over rough terrain and low speed capability at low-speed rock crawling.
Feast your eyes on the most powerful street-legal #FordBronco, ever. #BroncoRaptor. pic.twitter.com/mtRmXOcKaJ
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) January 24, 2022
Borrowing its powertrain from the latest Ford Explorer ST, full performance figures have yet to be released but the Bronco Raptor gets a better-breathing induction system, plus an enhanced intercooler and new multi-mode exhaust that, engineers claim, all add up to a performance SUV that produces more than the 298kW/563Nm the Explorer ST manages.
Just one transmission will be offered, the Ford-GM-developed 10-speed automatic that channels its power to all four wheels via thicker front and rear driveshafts and race-sped Dana axles borrowed from the Bronco DR racer.
Improving durability further, there’s a new transfer case and a higher capacity clutch, while the desert-racing Baja mode features a new anti-lag system.
As well as more power, the key to unlocking the Bronco Raptor’s cross-country pace is a bespoke suspension system inspired by Ultra4 off-road racing.
The Bronco gets semi-active dampers sourced from Fox that borrow knowhow developed on the flagship F-150 Raptor. The new shockers monitor suspension height and terrain to adjust on the move.
Ensuring the suspension can cope with the higher forces involved with driving at high-speed over a desert, the Bronco’s Australian-developed T6 ladder-frame has received extensive reinforcement that include new stiffer shock towers, There’s also new Ford Performance lower front and rear control arms.
With extra strengthening around both the B- and C-pillars, the Bronco Raptor is said to have 50 per cent more torsional rigidity.
Throw in some long-travel coil-overs and there’s 330mm suspension travel up front and 356mm travel at the rear – an increase of 60/40 per cent over the standard model.
Ground clearance is now claimed to 333mm, up from 292mm on the optional 35-inch tyre package of the standard Bronco.
Beneath the body, added bash plates and armour have been introduced to protect the underside from rock strikes. Speaking of which, a beefier electric steering rack and new tyre rods have both been introduced.
As standard, the Bronco features a substantial 218mm wider front and rear track, with wider fender flares needed to accommodate the big increase in wight, that sees the Raptor version 249mm broader, in total, than the base model.
From launch, two 17-inch bead-lock wheels will be offered, with both combined with huge 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 tyres.
Exterior upgrades are also plentiful, as well as the new rims and fender flares, there’s also a Raptor grille, bonnet, running lamps and bumper, plus the new Code Orange paint optional.
Inside, the Code Orange theme continues, while all Raptors come with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, a thicker steering wheel and sport seats. An optional Lux pack, meanwhile, adds a B&O sound system and adaptive cruise control.
Other goodies include a 3.06 low ratio for up to 67.7:1 rock crawling and a new one-pedal driving off-road mode, plus a Tow/Haul setting that allows the Raptor to tug up to 2041kg – 454kg more than before.
On sale in the US from this March, pricing for the Ford Bronco Raptor, that will only be available with four-doors, has been set from $US68,500 ($A96,000).
Already ruled out for the Australian market on account of lack of right-hand drive, the good news is while we won’t be getting the Bronco Raptor with its trick desert racing suspension the fast Ford SUV is tipped to donate its powerful twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 and ten-speed auto to the new Ranger Raptor that’s due this February.
Keyword: 300kW Ford Bronco Raptor unleashed