The early morning hours of this coming Monday, January 24th will be rather important for The Blue Oval, because at 6 am EST, the automaker will finally fully reveal the Ford Bronco Raptor. The Ford Bronco Raptor will join the existing Ford F-150 Raptor and Ford Ranger Raptor as high-performance off-roaders in FoMoCo’s lineup, offering customers an even more formidable version of the already capable Ford Bronco. Here’s what we expect from the all-new Raptor-fied Bronco.
Mechanical
Mechanically, the Bronco Raptor will ride on the same Ford T6 Platform as the regular Bronco and Ford Ranger, as well as the Troller T4 and Ford Everest. The body-on-frame architecture is designed to underpin real-wheel drive and four-wheel drive mid-size pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUV).
The Bronco Raptor will feature a host of suspension upgrades that make it more formidable off-road, however, including Fox shocks, a Raptor branded rear differential cover, a reinforced steering rack, beefy lower control arms, and a host of other changes designed to fortify the chassis for high-speed off-road use.
Under the hood, the Bronco Raptor will be powered by Ford’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6, currently found in the Ford Explorer ST and Lincoln Aviator – as Ford Authority was the first to report back in 2020. The more powerful six-cylinder powerplant will be backed up exclusively by Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission and features an active exhaust – like the Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, and Ford F-150 Raptor – with a true dual pipe setup and a tucked-under, dual-tip outlet on the driver’s side of the SUV to protect it from off-road obstacles.
Exterior
On the outside, the Ford Bronco Raptor will be easily distinguishable from other Bronco variants thanks to the fact that it’s significantly wider than any other Bronco, including Sasquatch-equipped models, and features massive fender flares that help cover up equally large 37×12.50R17LT BFGoodrich KO2 tires wrapped around beadlock-capable wheels. Other unique features include the Raptor’s familiar “FORD” script front grille with three amber lights, similar to what’s found on the F-150 Raptor, as well as vents located in the front fenders.
The high-performance Bronco Raptor rides noticeably higher than any other Bronco, courtesy of the aforementioned taller tires and a host of suspension upgrades. Fixed running boards aid ingress and egress while also serving double duty as rock sliders, while a beefier spare tire holder is in place for the larger and heavier 37-inch spare. A set of unique taillights adorns the rear of the vehicle as well. Unlike the regular Bronco, the Bronco Raptor will only be available as a four-door.
Interior
On the inside, the Bronco Raptor features a variety of Code Orange accents on the drive selector dial, A/C vents, grab handles, steering wheel, and shift boot, as well as a large digital instrument panel / instrument cluster that is the same 12-inch unit currently available in the 2021-2022 Ford F-150, albeit with a slightly different theme/skin. The center stack screen is the same 12-inch unit present in up-level Bronco models.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Bronco Raptor’s interior is its set of paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel, a feature that isn’t currently present on any Bronco variant. Otherwise, the Raptor’s interior is very similar in the overall design and aesthetic to the regular Bronco.
Oh, hello there badass #BroncoRaptor taillamp and fender flare. The rest will be unleashed on Monday at 6 a.m. EST! 🐐💥💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/2fkhQWbmUl
— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) January 21, 2022
Pricing
We expect Ford Bronco Raptor pricing to start in the $60,000 range, which places it at the top of the current Bronco lineup. However, we don’t expect Ford to reveal pricing for the new model during the Bronco Raptor’s unveiling. Instead, that information should be released a few weeks later.
Manufacturing
The Ford Bronco Raptor will be built alongside the regular Bronco and Ranger at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant.
Reveal
The Bronco Raptor will be revealed this Monday, January 24th, during an online event.
Availability
The Bronco Raptor will launch in the U.S. this coming summer, as Ford previously revealed, along with the new Bronco Everglades.
Competition
As is the case with the regular Bronco, the Bronco Raptor will compete with the Jeep Wrangler, or more specifically, the V8-powered Wrangler Rubicon 392, as well as the Land Rover Defender and Defender V8.
We’ll be on hand for the Bronco Raptor’s reveal next week, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
When are the order banks for the Raptor R going to open?
IF I can get a Bronco Raptor for under $70K, I’ll cancel my Rivian order and get one. I don’t have much confidence in that happening, but that’s what I’m ready to do.
I’m looking forward to getting up at 3 a.m. Monday morning for the reveal. (Yes, I’m a little looney) Why so early, Ford? Sheesh! And on a Monday no less. Anyway, I think the new Raptor will be well-received. It looks like it’s got some good stuff. I do wish it came as a 2 door, but I guess you can’t always get what you want.
I really think that being a 4 door (longer wheekbase) will give it better stability while running wide open through the desert, which is what Raptors have always been designed to do. Thus the widebody modifications.
My personal interest lies in a 2 door 7MT base Bronco, but I’m excited to see the Raptor as well. How long before Jeep scrambles together a rival?
I suspect the Ranger Raptor will be very similar. Hurry up Ford.
Wikipedia
The 3.0-liter version of the engine was created by increasing the 2.7-liter’s cylinder bore in the CGI-block from 83.0 millimeters to 85.3, and by lengthening piston stroke by 3.0 millimeters (to 86.0)
Dang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!