Ford has revealed its new Bronco Raptor featuring an uprated chassis and a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine with no less than 294 kW!
Yes, like you, we’re upset that the new Ford Bronco isn’t on sale in South Africa.
South Africans love the outdoors and 4×4 adventuring is a favourite pastime for many. The Bronco is built to perform in tough conditions but with the reveal of the new Bronco Raptor, Ford has taken its 4×4 SUV formula to the next level.
The Bronco Raptor is ‘Built Wild’ and is said to be the world’s first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV capable of highway-speed desert-dune conquering and Baja rock crawling. In a nutshell, the Bronco Raptor can do anything and go anywhere, fast!
Is the Bronco Raptor the ultimate 4×4 SUV?
The Bronco Raptor is built for high-speed desert driving. Sadly not for SA 🙁
“We had to build the Bronco Raptor – it’s our ultimate vehicle for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who demand something more,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Like the Ultra4 desert race trucks, the ‘Raptor of SUVs’ conquers desert dunes at highway speeds and is equipped with competition-level off-road technology and hardware.”
This hardware includes a fully-boxed, high-strength steel frame with shock towers that allow for increased wheel travel while heavy-duty bash plates and skid plates help protect the important bits from being damaged. The High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) 4.0 system was co-developed with FOX and Ford Performance. The adaptive suspension system delivers up to 60% more travel than the standard Bronco. The body has also been made 50% more rigid with a B-pillar crossbar and C-pillar reinforcement.
The Bronco Raptor also gains competition-level axles developed by Ford Performance, increasing track width by some 218 mm. Ground clearance is pegged at 333mm.
You might be wondering why the Bronco Raptor (pictured above) has no doors and apart from adding to the rugged look, it’s actually to improve outward visibility while executing technical offroad manoeuvres in an effort to prevent breakover angle rock scrapes or while crawling over rocks. Removable doors is also a feature on the standard Bronco.
Engine power for the new Bronco Raptor comes courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that delivers no less than 294 kW and 563 Nm of torque making it the most powerful road-legal Bronco ever. Ford, however, has yet to divulge the exact outputs for the Bronco Raptorb but Ford says it will feature uprated intercooler and air-induction systems to endure higher ambient desert temperatures. This engine will be paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, albeit retuned to meet the performance requirements of the Bronco Raptor.
Furthermore, a true dual exhaust system with active valve technology will deliver up to 4 selectable exhaust notes including Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.
The Bronco makes use of Ford’s G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Terrain Management System which offers 7 selectable modes, including a uniquely tuned Baja mode and a Tow/Haul mode which allows for a maximum tow rating of 2 041 kg.
The interior is rugged to withstand the rigours of desert driving but still well-equipped with modern conveniences.
From the outside, the Bronco Raptor is purpose-built but this is also carried over to the interior, but with all the bells and whistles to boot.
Some highlights include a 12-inch SYNC4 infotainment touchscreen with a 360-degree camera and an all-digital 12-inch instrument cluster.
“The Bronco Raptor interior was designed around what we know hardcore off-road racers want in a vehicle,” said Ryan Olsson, design manager. “From the all-new Performance View on the cluster and unique steering wheel with paddle shifters and fingertip access to Raptor-specific controls, to its race-ready, high-bolster front seats, Bronco Raptor leaves the factory ready for the starting line.”
Related Content
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Teased (Video)
New Ford Ranger V8 Possible
New Ford Ranger officially revealed
