2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is finally here, and it’s truly the magnificent rock-climbing beast that everyone hoped for.
A few years ago, Jeep Wrangler was the best choice for off-road lovers. Ford Bronco was still just a floating rumor and a matter of great speculation, a dream that was realized a year ago in the form of the first Branco trims, chief among them was the Wildtrak. But now, Ford is finally presenting us with the ultimate Bronco, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor. The next King of the off-road.
Ford had previous experimentation with the raptor Treatment in the 2009 F-150. The Pickup truck was well received by the public, a fact that encouraged the company to go wild with this new bronco.
The base for the Bronco Raptor is the existing Sasquatch package. However, Ford had done a lot of work to give it its unique personality.
Starting with wheels, Ford used huge 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain K02 tires, large enough to be floating devices. The mere size of these tires required special fortifications and an increased clearance to allow for more vertical motion as the truck traverses rough terrains.
All suspension components were fortified, and an electronically controlled Fox Live Valve 3.1 dampers were implemented, in addition to 13.0 inches of wheel clearance at the front, and 14.0 in the back. All to accommodate the wheels’ movement and avoid any damage.
The vehicle’s nature, size, and the feats that it’s expected to perform required additional body reinforcements. The total body rigidity was increased by 50 percent compared to previous Bronco models. The work included adding several elements to the Raptor’s body, like the additional cross member in the front and a carbon "bow-tie" brace at the back of the roll cage. The front of the frame and the spare-tire carrier were internally reinforced as well.
Perhaps the most prominent aspect of the Raptor is its extreme width, this Bronco is immediately recognizable due to its extreme proportions. The insanely large fender flares only add to the width impression. The size is mainly functional, giving the vehicle more grip on uneven grounds.
The Bronco Raptor was developed and tested in and around the Johnson Valley in Southern California. Yes, that’s the place where most rock-climbing videos are filmed. Ford made sure that the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6's 418 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft are more than enough for the job, the engine is controlled by a number of driving modes, optimizing its performance for every possible situation. the G.O.A.T. dial in the center console is the key to summon Baja, Quiet, Normal, or Sport modes. The real novelty here is the R button on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to access the personalized mode which controls the dampers and the adjustable exhaust.
Ford made sure that the new car lives up to its reputation as the best mountain climber out there, a jacked-up suspension and 13.1 inches of ground clearance plus a layer of armor protecting the vitals were all necessary to turn huge rock boulders into nothing more than little bumps on the Raptor’s way.
A special Rock Crawl mode makes sure that the ride is as smooth as when the Bronco is going up and down valleys. And if that’s not enough, the outer edges of the burly front bumper can be removed, giving the Raptor an increased approach angle.
Driving on the pavement is a part of the experience – how do you expect to get to desert valleys? - That’s why Ford didn’t neglect the regular driving aspect of the Bronco. The task was not easy, how will you drive an 85.7-inch-wide monster on crowded narrow roads with speed limits?
But contrary to expectations, the Raptor’s performance there is totally reasonable, better than what you would expect from a dedicated mountain climber.
Finally, the Raptor is a fuel-thirsty monster, the EPA rating gave it 15 mpg combined (15 city/16 highway).
Overall, the Bronco Raptor merits the title of the baddest Bronco ever built and the King of Rock climbers. Titles that will cost you at least $70,095.
The Bronco Raptor has been a staple of the off-road community for decades and will continue to be one for years to come. With that being said, you need to have it protected from the elements!
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