The dust is still settling on the unveiling of the 2022 Ford Bronco, but while we had some fun comparing its value factor with its F-150 sibling, we wanted to do a deep dive under the skin and find out some of the critical differences that make it a Raptor and a league above its standard-issue cousin.
No V8, But Bronco Raptor Is Still A Beast
Ford warned us a while back that the Bronco platform wouldn’t fit a V8 (we suspect most aftermarket tuners will try anyway), but the Bronco Raptor still has plenty of power to work with. The base Bronco comes with either a 2.3 liter turbocharged four-cylinder or the optional 2.7 liter turbocharged V6. The Raptor’s 3.0 liter V6 is a rung above the 2.7 liter, and while Ford claims that it’s targeted to produce “over 400 hp,” look for this engine perhaps to come close to the F-150 Raptor’s 450 hp.
All of this extra power will help give the Raptor more low-end punch while also improving its manners when the rev counter crosses into the higher reaches of the rev band. The 10-speed automatic is tailored to match the engine’s personality, but we’ll have to wait and see if it makes the Raptor more fuel-efficient than a standard Bronco model.
A Four-Door Exclusive
Unlike other Bronco models, the 2022 Bronco Raptor will only appear as a four-door, and a soft top will also be pitched for a sturdier hardtop. Ford claims that the revisions were necessary to help the broader structure cope with the added power and upgrades. However, we also believe that Ford is putting a big set of crosshairs on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which also has some wild performance models that are four-door flavor only. Like other Raptors, the suspension, crucial drive components, and even the fully boxed frame have all benefitted from radical upgrades.
The four-door body style also invites some comparisons to more family-focused SUVs. Still, when you look at the numbers between the two, the Raptor’s interior dimensions are actually very similar to the standard model despite the Raptor having more width and a slightly taller height due to the upgraded suspension. The Wrangler Unlimited is essentially the same story when it’s treated to the good stuff, but taller occupants will have less legroom in the Ford. It will be interesting to see if a two-door Raptor eventually appears, but until Ford engineers figure out how to solve some of the structural challenges, look for that variant to purely exist in the realm of fantasy.
Bronco Raptor Will Be The Ultimate Predator In Bronco Family, No R In Sight
Ford representatives claim that the Bronco Raptor will be the ultimate expression of Bronco performance when it rolls out to dealerships this summer. That proclamation also appears to shut the door on a potential R variant. The R model will make its inaugural appearance on the Ford F-150 Raptor. In addition to being powered by a supercharged V8, the R will also infuse some technology from Ford’s racing division to make it a deadlier trail assassin.
In an alternate reality where a Bronco Raptor R is approved, look for it to largely follow the same tire tracks. It won’t have the burbly V8 and most likely retain its 3.0 liter V6, but the bulk of the upgrades will be focused underneath the skin with the suspension and some of the off-road hardware all being overhauled with race-spec parts. However, the main item holding back an R version here in the real world is price. While Ford didn’t release formal pricing for the Bronco Raptor, look for it to potentially be in the $60k range. An R model would be even higher, which might cause it to be out of reach for some Bronco enthusiasts.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.