When you say your engineering and design targets are adapted from Ultra 4 race trucks, then you’re setting some lofty goals. But the team behind the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor appear to have pulled it all off. We finally have the info on this monster machine, and all the specs add up to one wicked beast that’s primed for desert dune bashing, rock crawling, and, of course, showing up everyone in the local mall parking lot.
The meat of the Bronco Raptor is its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Yes, I was hoping to see the 3.5-liter here, but I can’t argue with something cranking out over 400 horsepower. It’s the same mill bolted up in the Ford Explorer ST and a handful of Lincoln products. Here though, it’s paired with a dizzying array of go-fast-off-road goodies.
Ford developed an updated version of its HOSS for the Raptor. That would be the suspension system underpinning this thing. You have Fox 3.1 active dampers, Fox Live Valve tech, 13″ of front travel, and 14″ of rear travel. If that’s not enough squish, Ford is bolting up 37″ tires to the Bronco Raptor as the standard kit. I almost feel like that’s too much tire for a production truck, but I’m sure it makes it that much more monstrous out on the trail.
Since it’s a top-spec truck, Ford is tossing in all the goodies from its High trim package. That means the big center screen, exterior camera with 360-degree views, and a few other niceities. But you have to pay up to the Lux trim to get the better sound system, which is kind of lame. I say offer this in two flavors, as a stripped out race truck for the street and a full option lux desert racer with all the goodies.
Regardless, Ford says the Bronco Raptor will start at $69,995. And you can damn-near guarantee that dealers will be marking this thing up to the Moon. Either way, Ford is reaching out to existing Bronco reservation holders first to see who wants a taste of the Braptor. The trucks should start showing up on dealer lots by this summer. And on the trails, with people driving above their talent level, shortly after that. Regardless, it should be fun to watch.
[Images from Ford]
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