We recently lauded the 2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak for its head-turning looks, wide array of features, and impressive off-road capability, but Ford wasn’t content to rest on its laurels. Rumors about an even more off-road-focused entry into the Bronco family have been circulating ever since the Blue Oval’s Wrangler fighter starting rolling into dealerships last year, but now it’s official: The Bronco Raptor is real, and it definitely isn’t pulling any punches.

Designed by Ford Performance with cues from the Bronco DR and Bronco 4400, Ford says that the new Bronco Raptor is the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV. As such, the engineering tweaks are aimed toward not only improving the Bronco’s rock crawling prowess, but also its ability to dispatch dunes, dirt ruts, and jumps at high speeds. Let’s take a closer look at what the package entails.

Exterior, Chassis, and Suspension

17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires come as standard equipment on the Bronco Raptor.

Even at a glance it’s obvious that the Raptor is significantly bigger than the Bronco models that came before it. With a track width that’s 8.6 inches wider than a base Bronco and ground clearance that’s 4.8 inches higher (at 13.1 inches), the Bronco Raptor looms large even next to Sasquatch package-equipped models.

To accommodate the 17-inch, beadlock-capable wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires that it borrows from the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor’s fenders have been both widened and outfitted with huge flares to keep debris contained. And also like the F-150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor sports a unique grille with FORD lettering that houses three of the five lights that are federally-mandated for vehicles that are this wide. The other two lights are housed in the side mirrors.

The grille is designed to provide more airflow for improved cooling, as is the unique vented hood, while functional fender vents are also on hand in order to reduce air pressure under the front end of the truck at higher speeds.

The heavy duty modular front bumper that’s optional on other Bronco models comes standard here. For Raptor duty it’s been outfitted with large tow hooks as well as LED fog lights that are supplied by Rigid Industries. Under-body protection is provided for the transmission, transfer case, and fuel tank, while a skid plate that’s thicker than the factory offering for other Bronco models is installed up front.

The chassis of the Bronco Raptor is outfitted with reinforced shock towers, unique front and rear control arms that provide 13 inches of travel up front and 14 inches at the rear, new jounce bumpers, beefed-up axles and tie rod ends, and new Fox LiveValve adaptive shocks.

Rock rails with steel running boards and a bedliner-like coating are equipped on the Bronco Raptor’s flanks. To make these running boards easy to remove in situations where ground clearance is the highest priority, Ford designed them with outward-facing bolts and provides the necessary tools for removal in the Bronco Raptor’s toolkit.

At the rear you’ll find the requisite Raptor badging along with a reinforced swing gate that houses the full-sized spare wheel and tire, the latter of which necessitated installing the third brake higher up on the truck. The taillights differ from the standard Bronco as well, here sporting a pod-style design that serves as a nod to contemporary racing trucks.

Underneath the skin the Bronco Raptor’s fully boxed frame is equipped with additional bracing and stronger shock towers, while body rigidity has been improved by more than 50% thanks to an aluminum brace that runs across the roll bar at the B pillar as well as carbon fiber brace above the cargo area.

The suspension retains the independent front / solid axle rear configuration found in other Bronco models, but Ford’s HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) system has been upgraded significantly for Raptor duty. Unique front and rear control arms provide 13 inches of travel up front and 14 inches at the rear, while new jounce bumpers have been installed to handle big, full-compression impacts. These upgrades are matched up with strengthened axles and tie rod ends, new Fox 3.1-inch diameter LiveValve adaptive shocks that feature external reservoirs in the rear, and an “F-150 Raptor-inspired” electrically-assisted power steering rack.

Powertrain

A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 is said to provide upwards of 400 horsepower, though Ford hasn’t revealed the official figures yet. The new mill will be paired up with the ten-speed automatic transmission, which scores steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters in the Bronco Raptor.

Ford’s still keeping some of the details about the Bronco Raptor’s motivation under wraps for now, but it did offer up some core information. We know that a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged compacted graphite iron-block V6 will provide the grunt, and we also know that it’s expected to make upwards of 400 horsepower.

That’s a substantial upgrade over the standard Bronco’s already-potent optional 2.7-liter V6, which makes 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, and Ford says this new 3.0-liter power plant will make the Bronco Raptor the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever produced. The engine is also equipped with a new, four-mode active exhaust system with near-equal-length pipes for an improved exhaust note.

The new mill will be paired up with the familiar ten-speed automatic gearbox, though here it’s been tuned “to meet Ford Performance standards” and will score a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The four-wheel drive system has an upgraded transfer case with a higher-capacity clutch that’s designed to withstand the demands of high-performance desert excursions. It also features a 3.06 4x4 LO ratio for a crawl ratio of up to 67.7:1 that should make technical, low-speed terrain easier to dispatch.

Interior and Tech

Although the layout is familiar, the cabin of the Bronco Raptor gets a number of model-specific upgrades. Along with the aforementioned steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, Bronco Raptors get a thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel with carbon fiber trim and bespoke buttons that allow you to change drive modes without fumbling around on the center console rotary dial. A unique 12-inch digital gauge cluster displays all the vital real-time vehicle information and offers an exclusive Performance View that allows for gauge customization and puts the tachometer and transmission info front-and-center. The 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s optional on other Bronco models comes standard in the Bronco Raptor.

Orange accents and carbon fiber trim allow the Raptor’s interior to stand out amongst the other Bronco models currently on offer. Marine-grade vinyl seats are standard, but buyers who’re looking for a more luxurious cabin can upgrade to laser-perforated suede seats.

Base Bronco Raptor models are equipped with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized washout flooring, while Ford Performance Code Orange accents on the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial, dash vents, door netting, steering wheel stitching, and the Bronco logo on the instrument panel add a splash of color. The ignition button also lights up in orange, while carbon fiber trim on grab handles and gear shifter add to the racy vibe.

The Bronco Raptor scores a unique-tuned version of the Baja drive mode which activates a turbo anti-lag calibration in order to maximize performance during high-speed desert sprints, while a new Tow/Haul mode helps to provide a half-ton improvement in towing capacity over the base model, giving the Bronco Raptor the ability to tow up to 4500 pounds.

Options, Pricing and Availability

Thanks to a widened track, stretched out fenders, and massive fender flares, the Bronco Raptor is 9.8 inches wider than a base Bronco four-door.

The Bronco Raptor will be offered exclusively in four-door configuration with the V6 and ten-speed automatic transmission. Options include a different set of 17-inch, beadlock capable wheels, orange seat belts, a Bronco Raptor Graphics Package, laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, leather-wrapped outer seat bolsters and carpet flooring, and a vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper.

All Bronco Raptors come with the High Package as-standard, but buyers who’re looking for a few extra creature comforts can upgrade to the Lux Package, which adds a ten-speaker B&O premium audio system, adaptive cruise control, and wireless charging to the mix, along with a few other features.

Pricing starts at $69,995 including destination charges, a figure that makes this the most expensive street-legal factory Bronco on offer by a substantial margin. The order system for the 2022 Bronco Raptor will open up in March, and deliveries are expected to begin this summer.