There are two types of overland vehicles, those built for comfort and those built for fun. The Bronco Raptor inspires us to throw a lightweight tent and sleeping bag in the back seat and head for those trails most simply cannot explore or to retrace the route of the Baja 1000.
With a base price just under $70,000 the 2022 Bronco Raptor is designed and engineered by Ford Performance to be the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV which can transport you at highway speeds to the dunes or your favorite rock crawling area. The Bronco Raptor is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine delivering a claimed 400 horsepower, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame and standard 37-inch all-terrain tires.
Those are not the only changes made to an already popular vehicle. Heavy-duty bash and skid plates provide continuous protection from the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case. The solid rear axle is upgraded to a semi-float Dana 50 with 235-millimeter ring gear, while the Dana 44 front-drive unit includes upgraded half-shafts with 210-millimeter ring gear. These upgraded front and rear axles increase the track width by 8.6 inches over a base Bronco for even more sure-footed confidence (and high speed cornering). The Bronco Raptor also runs with a minimum ground clearance of 13.1 inches, 4.8 inches more than a base four-door model.
In keeping with the race-ready theme, the vehicle sports an advanced 4×4 system with three modes which include a higher-capacity clutch designed to withstand the demands of high-performance desert events. The upgraded transfer case also features a 3.06 4×4 LO ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
The suspension system is a Fox upgrade featuring the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system with Live Valve technology. Unique Ford Performance-designed front and rear control arms help deliver maximum wheel travel of 13.0 inches in front and 14.0 inches at the rear to BF Goodrich 37-inch KO2 all-terrain tires (37×12.50R17LT).
To give Bronco Raptor even more desert-running power, the Ford powertrain team developed the proven twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine with specific Raptor-level tuning with intercooling and air-induction systems designed to endure the higher ambient desert temperatures.
Driving a fast vehicle is one thing, but some like to hear how fast they are driving. The exhaust system allows drivers to alter the sound of their Bronco Raptor with four selectable exhaust modes, including Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.
Fun!
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