Offroad driving for the performance enthusiast has changed forever and for the better. In an era
where cars are becoming more autonomous, Ford’s newest vehicle was developed for serious abuse on
and off the pavement. Tested from Moab to Baja at highway speeds off-road, Ford is not messing
around with their performance off-road racing and development with how similar the Bronco Raptor is
to the Bronco DR Ultra4 truck. The Bronco Raptor is here to not only perform better than any other
road-legal off-roader but to do so with ease. With how highly-anticipated the Bronco has been, the
full-power Bronco Raptor is set to perform even further.
It isn’t every day that you can go into a dealership and buy a Baja-rally-ready vehicle and drive it
home, but Ford has made it more than just possible - it is now doable for under the price of a
trophy truck build. In fact, it is all doable - in theory- for cheaper than a new Shelby GT500. That
means that you can be at the dealership in the morning and crushing sand dunes or massive offroad
circuits by lunch. This is all doable now thanks to the Ford Bronco Raptor which is the closest to
an Ultra4 racing truck that anyone has ever been able to buy for street use.
Engine
Chassis
Interior
Exterior
Future Upgrades
Colors
Tech Specs
Gallery
Engine and Transmission
From the ground up, the Bronco Raptor is designed for performance. The engine is a new 3.0L
twin-turbo V6 motor pushing out over 400 horsepower to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic
gearbox similar to the one found in the Mustang. This engine, while official horsepower ratings have
not been released yet, should be around the horsepower found in the F-150 Raptor at 450 horsepower.
While the engine is not the main focus of this vehicle, the majorly increased horsepower is a
welcome treat for enthusiasts to enjoy.
The 3.0L Ecoboost twin turbo engine is a new option that has not been available in the Bronco until now,
and
Bronco Raptor goes even further by building on durability with an iron block base for the engine and
steel crankshaft designed to handle the abuse these vehicles were tested to handle. With the 10-speed
gearbox paired to the mechanical locking differential and 2-speed torque-on-demand 4x4, the Bronco
Raptor is able to tackle any obstacles in its way - especially when the 37-inch tires and
beadlock-capable wheels are factored into the over 13 inches of suspension travel to climb over any
obstacle in its way.
Chassis and Suspension
Under the skin, the Bronco Raptor gets even more impressive with a heavily overbuilt suspension and
chassis to ensure durability off-road. The suspension has been overhauled by Ford Performance and
FOX Racing Shocks to use the newest version of their High-Performance Offroad Stability Suspension
(HOSS 4.0) and custom-tuned live valve technology with semi-active dampening to maintain a smooth
and compliant ride over even the roughest terrain. These work with the G.O.A.T. modes to make the
Bronco Raptor more capable than any other roadgoing Ford vehicle.
Another major upgrade comes in the form of a DANA 44 front axle and DANA 50 rear axle setup paired to
the full body-on-frame chassis. The Bronco returns to a solid rear axle for better off-road drivability
and better flex over obstacles and rocks in the way. Along with these, the chassis of the Bronco
Raptor uses a fully boxed steel frame with seven cross members, a major departure from the average
Bronco and even the Sasquatch package or Wildtrak. These, working in conjunction with the wheels,
provide the Bronco Raptor with a break-over angle of 30.8 degrees and an approach angle of 47.2
degrees - more than the F-150 Raptor, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and is only less than the Mercedes
G-Wagen 4x4 Squared.
Interior Highlights
The interior of the Bronco Raptor has been improved as well over even the highest trim Bronco
Wildtraks. With a new digital dashboard, a new touchscreen center console that dwarfs the ones found
in other Broncos, and an overall higher-tech look, the Bronco Raptor gives the real experience of
being a highly capable truck while also being a nice place to be. One of the largest changes inside
is the steering wheel which now features carbon fiber, large metal paddle shifters found in the
F-150 Raptor, orange stitching, and much thicker leather. This steering wheel is designed to be more
performance-oriented and to feel better while wheeling off-road while providing more surface to hold
on to.
Like the other Broncos, there is an option for the seating surfaces to be waterproof to endure the
weather and elements more competently, but for the Bronco Raptor these come standard. Optionally,
the seats can be upgraded to be higher-performance bolstered and supportive with a suede-like
material paired with dark blue leather and orange stitching surround. To emphasize the Raptor’s
performance, the interior features Code Orange stitching and accent work, including the seatbelts on
all seats. The combination of these colors and the carbon fiber materials and surfaces throughout
the interior make the interior stand out dramatically.
Exterior Highlights
The most obvious changes from the Bronco to the Bronco Raptor come from the outside. The Raptor is
available in a lot of great colors such as Eruption Green Metallic, Code Orange, Cyber Orange
Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Iconic Silver Metallic, Oxford White,
Shadow Black, and Velocity Blue Metallic. Fitted with massive fender flares and other new body
panels, the Raptor model looks like the Bronco on steroids. The massive flares are inspired by the
full Ultra4 trucks from King of the Hammers like the Bronco DR . The revised front grille makes the
Bronco look like the full Raptor with the large FORD lettering on the grille, three running lights
in the grille, and the exposed underside skid plate. Around the rear, a revised bumper and new
taillights change up the look enough to make it stand out and enough to make the dual exhaust
visible more clearly.
The Raptor does still have the fully removable roof and doors, making it even more fun while running
it hard through nearly all locations as well as easier to hear the new engine and exhaust. The
Bronco Raptor also has new bash plates that can be seen while the truck is jumping through the air.
Side by side, the Raptor is noticeable larger and wider than the Wildtrak in nearly every dimension
as well as taller too. The bumpers are designed to incorporate additional lighting, GoPros, and
other add-ons that enthusiasts can use while enjoying their vehicle to its fullest potential.
Future Plans
This new addition to the Raptor lineup (including the non-US Ranger Raptor) follows the tested recipe
for off-road performance perfectly and in the process has created the most impressive off-roader
ever developed for road use by Ford or any of the Big 3 companies in the US. Vehicles like this are
a reminder that Ford not only cares about its enthusiast customers but that they also know how to do
so in spectacular fashion. Showcasing it jumping sand dunes, rock crawling through some of the most
difficult trails in the country, and driving at high speeds are great ways of keeping enthusiasts
happy with their vehicle. Much like the Mustang, Bronco enthusiasts deserve this high-powered
version that they can run hard in their setting of choice. We are excited to see the performance of
these vehicles firsthand and to see how we can improve upon them even further.
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Colors
| Paint Code |
Paint Colors |
| KU |
Area 51 |
| NE |
Cactus Gray |
| SB |
Cyber Orange Metallic |
| JS |
Iconic Silver |
| YZ |
Oxford White |
| G1 |
Shadow Black |
| E7 |
Velocity Blue |
| FA |
Eruption Green |
| CN |
Code Orange |
| EA |
Hot Pepper Red |
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Tech Specs
| Engine |
3.0L TT Ecoboost V6 |
| Horsepower |
400+ |
| Torque |
415* |
| Tires |
37-inch BF Goodrich K02 |
| Suspension |
Solid Rear Axle, FOX Racing HOSS System |
| Compression |
10.5:1 |
| Fuel Tank |
21.2 gallons |
| Gearbox |
10-speed automatic |
| Suspension Travel |
13 inch front, 14 inch rear |
| Approach Angle |
47.2 degrees |
| Brakes |
Vented disc brakes |
Bronco Raptor Gallery
Image Credit: Ford Motor Company
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