Bronco Raptor gets a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 making at least 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts). Final figures for power and torque haven't been established yet, but this engine already churns out 400 hp and 415 pound-feet (563 Newton-meters) of torque in the Explorer ST. Ford says the engine will have a specific tune for the Raptor and breathe through an upgraded induction system with enhanced intercooling and a true-dual multi-mode exhaust system.
The only transmission offered is the 10-speed automatic that can be paddle-shifted should drivers desire a bit more involvement. Power is routed through larger driveshafts front and rear, connecting to upgraded Dana axles shared with the decidedly not street-legal Bronco DR racing SUV. The 4x4 system features an upgraded transfer case, a higher capacity clutch, and the Baja Mode is tweaked to include, among other things, an anti-lag system. Bronco Raptor also gets a tow/haul mode with a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 pounds.
More power is always nice, but the real news comes with prolific suspension upgrades that draw from the hardcore Ultra4 Racing series. The aforementioned axles are part of that, but it continues with an upgraded High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system that adds Fox semi-active dampers similar to those on the F-150 Raptor. Sensors monitor suspension height and terrain conditions to adjust damper settings on the fly; it all connects to a reinforced frame with stiffer shock towers up top and front/rear control arms developed by Ford Performance down low.
As a result, the Bronco Raptor has 13.0 inches of suspension travel in the front and 14.0 inches at the rear, an increase of 60 percent forward / 40 percent aft versus a base model Bronco. The stance is 8.6-inches wider, and with extra frame support coming from reinforced B- and C-pillars, the Raptor has 50 percent more torsional rigidity. Minimum ground clearance is up to 13.1 inches, and should drivers use every inch of it, skid plates underneath cover all vital components.
Two types of 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels are offered, wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 tires that Ford says are the largest ever offered on a factory-stock SUV in the States. An upgraded electric steering rack and tie rods help handle the beefy rubber, and with the massive fender flares in place, the Bronco Raptor is a full 9.8 inches wider than a standard model.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor starts at $69,995, and that includes a $1,495 destination charge.
