The Ford Bronco’s back, but the Blue Oval isn’t done.
A hotter, wilder Bronco is in the works with even more off-road capability, power, and attitude. On Monday, Ford-supported enthusiast forum The Bronco Nation provided a first look at the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.
The images are of a production-looking Bronco Raptor playing in the mud. The corresponding post confirmed the Bronco Raptor will be available in the summer of 2022.
The Bronco Raptor seemingly rides on 37-inch all-terrain tires with a beefed-up suspension system, wide stance, LED market lights (like an F-150 Raptor) hidden in the grille, and Rigid LED fog and driving lights integrated into the front bumper, same as the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. The massive fender flares appear to be inspired by those on the Bronco DR desert race truck while the daytime running lights are now amber rather than white, like other Broncos. New LED taillights sit in back. Notably, the Bronco Raptor pictured is a hardtop. It’s unclear if a Bronco Raptor will be available with a soft top.
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor via The Bronco Nation
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor via The Bronco Nation
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor via The Bronco Nation
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor via The Bronco Nation
In September, CEO Jim Farley teased the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor on Twitter. The teaser both confirmed the Raptor name and that the long-travel Bronco will arrive in 2022.
Hold on to your butts. #FordBroncoRaptor pic.twitter.com/2c1uAcolaV
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) September 21, 2021
In 2020 on Twitter, Ford first teased a Baja-ready Bronco Raptor that could potentially ditch the prehistoric nameplate for a Warthog badge. When asked, Ford was quiet with any details.
Ford Bronco Raptor (or Warthog) teased
“We are taking excitement to new heights with Bronco. Stay tuned,” Ford spokesman Jiyan Cadiz told Motor Authority in 2020.
First noticed by keen eyes at Motor Trend, Ford filed a trademark application September 9, 2020 to use the Warthog name on a vehicle. Until this point it was unclear if the Bronco Raptor’s codename during development, which was Warthog, would stick for production of if the Blue Oval would adapt the Raptor name for Bronco duty.
The most powerful 2021 Bronco announced to date has a 2.7-liter turbo-6 with 310 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor could feature a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 with more than 400 hp and potentially 500 lb-ft of torque, but smart money may be on a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 with about 400 hp.
Beefier long-travel suspension can be seen in the teaser image from Twitter, though it’s unknown whether there are electronic Fox shocks similar to what’s found on the F-150 Raptor in those wheel wells. BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires that appear to be 35s may be fitted as well..
At the Bronco reveal in July 2019, Cadiz told Motor Authority more variants may be on the way for Bronco. Stay tuned.