Bronco Raptor ultra-hardcore
Ford has revealed the ultrahardcore Bronco Raptor, designed to smash desert dunes at tripledigit speeds, tackle extreme boulder crawling, and everything in between.
Starting with the chassis, Ford has given the Bronco Raptor increased suspension travel and track width for added stability. The frame is a fully boxed, highstrength steel unit, gaining new shock towers that increase wheel travel and off-road durability.
That suspension is an upgraded High-Performance OffRoad Stability Suspension (HOSS) system, getting Live Valve technology, similar to the F-150 Raptor’s position-sensitive dampers.
Suspension height sensors and other sensors at each corner monitor terrain conditions independently hundreds of times every second and adjust suspension tuning accordingly.
Underneath the nose are heavyduty bash plates, covering the area between the front bumper to the back of the engine, transmission and transfer case. Reinforcement in the B-pillar crossbar and C-pillar help increase torsional rigidity in the body by more than 50 per cent compared to a standard Bronco.
A reworked 4x4 system with three modes includes a stronger clutch, and an upgraded transfer case gets a 3.06 4x4 low ratio for up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio.
Under the bonnet is a retuned version of the 3-litre Ecoboost twin-turbo V6, which is apparently still being finalised, because Ford only says it will make ‘‘more than 400 horsepower’’ (298kW). It is paired with a 10-speed automatic with Ford Performance tuning and a dualexhaust system with active valves.
There was no mention of any plug-in power.
Styling changes include Ford block lettering over the grille, LED headlights with amber daytime running lights and integrated amber indicators.
A heavy-duty modular steel front bumper by Ford Performance features tow hooks, removable bumper end caps for improved off-road clearance, integrated removable LED fog lamps and off-road lamps for greater illumination.
The bonnet features an integrated vent in Carbon Black, while the fender vents are painted in the body colour.
Inside is a 12-inch driver’s display that includes a Bronco Raptor-exclusive Performance View that emphasises the tachometer and gear readings and allows the customisation of gauges.
Another 12-inch display is in the middle of the dash, running the Sync4 operating system. A 360-degree camera is standard, while optional extras include a 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system and adaptive cruise control.
As standard, the Bronco Raptor gets black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberised washout flooring. The dark interior is accented with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes on the G.O.A.T. Modes rotary dial, dash vents, door netting, steering wheel stitching and Bronco logo on the instrument panel. Even the pushbutton ignition lights up in orange.
Touchpoints such as the grab handles, steering wheel bezel and gear shifter are covered in lowgloss carbon fibre.
Unfortunately, the Bronco Raptor looks to remain forbidden fruit for us here in New Zealand, as Ford doesn’t want to convert it – or any Bronco model – to righthand drive. However, the fact it is based on the Ranger platform could suggest some very tasty things indeed about the upcoming Ranger Raptor.