2022 Ford Bronco Raptor dials the heat up to eleven

Ever since Ford Bronco debuted and set the sales charts on fire, people have been speculating about the arrival of a faster version. It was speculated to be either called the Warthog or simply, the Bronco Raptor. Now the rumor mills can rest – the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is out in the open and it is bonkers.

Let us talk about the main agenda first – the engine. The Ford Bronco’s original top motor was a 310 hp, 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. In the Raptor, instead of souping up this unit, Ford goes for a new power unit. It borrows the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 from the Explorer ST. The outputs of this engine is undercover as of now but in the Explorer ST, it makes 400 hp and 563 Nm of torque. Expect the Bronco Raptor to make more than those figures, as Ford confirms the usage of an updated induction system and a true-dual multi-mode exhaust system.

This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters. No manual gearbox for the Bronco Raptor. It is not just the powertrain that Ford fiddled with. Under the skin, the Bronco Raptor hides a number of key improvements. The axles are upgraded to Dana axles, lifted straight off the Bronco DR racing SUV. The four-wheel-drive system is also tweaked with a better transfer case, a stronger clutch, and an additional anti-lag system in the Baja mode.

It wouldn’t be a Raptor if it wasn’t capable of high speed runs offroad. The suspension of the Bronco Raptor is upgraded to be in the same lines as the units used in the Ultra4 Racing series.

It picks up the upgraded High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) from the F-150 Raptor. The HOSS system adjusts the damper settings on the go, based on the terrain conditions.

All these upgrades hike up the suspension travel of the Bronco Raptor to 330 mm upfront and 355 mm at the rear. Other parts underneath the bodyshell get updates too. The frame is reinforced with Ford Performance’s stiffer front and rear control arms as well as shock towers.

The Raptor is 218 mm wider than a base model Bronco and the ground clearance is also higher, at 332 mm. If you still manage to scrape the underbody, additional skid plates will save your Raptor’s vital components.

The wheel department gets an update as well. Customers can choose from two options of Beadlock-capable 17-inch wheels shod with 37-inch BFGoodrich K02 tyres. To handle these colossal tyre units, the Bronco Raptor needs a lot of adjustments elsewhere. The steering rack is upgraded and so are the tie rods, for this very purpose.

The large tyres trigger the changes on the exterior. To accommodate them, the Bronco Raptor grows massive fender flares. Most other body panels are bespoke for the Raptor. The most notable among them is the large Raptor grill with bold Ford branding.

The interior gets specific updates like special trims, steering wheel, Ford Performance seats, and a special Raptor setting for the DIS screen. The High Package is thrown into the package as standard.

The Ford Bronco Raptor is expected to arrive in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries sometime in the middle of the year.