2022 Ford Bronco Raptor debuts with big upgrades

KUALA LUMPUR: Rivalling the bold Jeep Wrangler, the sixth-iteration of the Ford Bronco was officially revealed in July last year in three different versions - two-door, four-door, and an SUV-like Bronco Sport. Well, now the Blue Oval added a new member to the off-roader lineup, that is none other than the desert-racing and rock-Crawling 2022 Bronco Raptor. 

Billed as the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever, the new Bronco Raptor is wider, taller, more powerful, and more off-road-ready than the standard model.

The off-roader underpins the body-on-frame T6 platform, on which lower Bronco trims, new Ranger, and Everest are based. Under the hood, it is equipped with a 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine that is said to generate a maximum power output of 400 hp. 

While Ford did not reveal the final output figures yet, it confirmed that the engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which comes with an upgraded transfer case, a higher capacity clutch, and tweaked Baja mode. The latter activates a turbo anti-lag, Trail Control, Trail Turn Assist, and Trail One-Pedal Driving modes. Other modes are Normal, Sport, and Quiet. 

The maximum towing rating of the new Bronco Raptor is 2041 kg, which is 453 kg more than the base model.

Contributing to its go-anywhere ability are massive 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres, 33.3cm ride height, an 8.6-inch wider track, and Fox Live Valve shock absorbers. The latter is a part of the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system, which is meant to ensure the tyres provide maximum grip at all times, says Ford.

Included in the new Ford Bronco Raptor exterior highlights are - 

• Four-door body style
• Ford block lettering on the grille
• Distinctive LED headlights with amber DRLs and marking lights
• Ford Performance front bumper with integrated tow hooks
• Removable bumper end caps
• Removable Rigid LED fog lamps
• Rigid off-road driving lights
• Skid plates and a heavy-duty bash plate
• Bonnet made of sheet-molding compound (SMC) with an integrated Carbon Black. vent section
• Unique front and rear quarter panels
• SMC wheel arches with integrated vents
• Reinforced rock rails with removable side steps
• Restyled spare tyre holder at the rear
• Higher-mounted third brake light
• Dual exhaust tips 

Just like the exterior, the cabin of the rugged ute is well kitted, starting with a 12-inch digital drivers display and a horizontal 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system mated to Ford’s latest Sync4 software. Ford offers the two interior packages - standard and Lux.

The former gets Black Onyx vinyl upholstery, orange accents on the G.O.A.T modes, AC vents, steering wheel stitching, and door netting. Also, part of the kit is carpeted flooring, a black Raptor logo, and Code Orange seat belts. With the Lux Package, Ford also offers a B&O premium sound system paired with 10 speakers and adaptive cruise control.

Included in the Bronco Raptor safety kit are several advanced systems like autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera.

The new Raptor model will go on sale later this year in the US market in 10 exciting exterior shades.

Also read: Upcoming 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor spied in Thailand