The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is a specialty vehicle, ideally designed for hardcore, off road fanatics.
Engineered by Ford Performance to be the world’s first Ultra4 racing-inspired SUV, Raptor is capable of highway-speed, desert-dune conquering and Baja rock-crawling.
My tester never left the pavement, but I conjured images Walter Mitty-style of the Bronco Raptor’s prowess: fording streams, climbing mountain terrain, and shredding sand on the beach.
All four Bronco doors and the roof are removable, placing occupants one with nature.
“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.”
Bronco Raptor packs extreme “Built Wild” capability and durability with an exclusive twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine targeted to deliver more than 400 horsepower, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame, and standard 37-inch all-terrain tires. Raptor seats four adults with grab handles for all to keep you upright.
“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.”
Starting with the frame foundation, the Ford Performance team knew it needed a Raptor-specific version for increased suspension travel and track width for handling stability during high-speed desert runs. At the Raptor core is a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame with new shock towers that increase wheel travel and off-road durability. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous driveline coverage from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case.
An advanced 4×4 system with three modes includes a higher-capacity clutch designed to withstand the demands of high-performance desert events. The upgraded transfer case also features a 3.06 4×4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio. Larger front and rear driveshafts support increased wheel torque. Bronco Raptor also runs with a minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, 4.8 inches more than a base four-door model.
Bronco Raptor builds on the brand’s exclusive G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System designed to help drivers better navigate off-road. Seven driver-selectable modes include a uniquely tuned Baja Mode that activates a turbo anti-lag calibration to maximize performance over high-speed desert runs. New to Bronco is Tow/Haul mode, which helps enable a tow rating of 4,500 pounds, a 1,000-pound improvement over the base model. Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One-Pedal Driving are also included.
My tester was equipped with the Badlands Series which included dual-zone climate control, front-row heated seats and steering wheel, Ford Co-Pilot360, adaptive cruise control, navigation with 12-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, 360-degree camera, 10-speaker B&O audio system, and more.
The liftgate swings out with a full-size spare mounted in the rear. With the second-row seats folded flat, Bronco Raptor becomes a cargo hauler with enough space to secure 12 Krusteaz boxes of toys with room to spare.
Safety features are virtually limitless, and topped off with electronic stability control, traction control, remote start, and permeter alarm.
Base Price: $43,590
Price As Driven: $64,655
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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