As the 2021 Ford Bronco shares a platform with the midsized Ranger, it’s long been assumed that the SUV would eventually receive a Raptor variant. North America already enjoys access to the F-150 Raptor and the smaller Ranger Raptor (which is already available in other parts of the world) is said to make it our way by the 2023 model year. Considering the Bronco is supposed to rivaling Jeep’s Wrangler, having the ability to add a zestier motor, gnarly tires, a beefed-up suspension, badging that denotes enhanced off-road capabilities, and a loftier MSRP seems like an obvious course of action for the Ford Motor Company.
While the automaker has yet to officially confirm such a vehicle, leaks have resulted in numerous positive rumors. The latest are of particular interest, as they show the manufacturer adding a Raptor-edition Bronco to its dealership ordering system for the 2022 model year.
Tuesday morning, the Bronco6G forums claimed to have uncovered a new body code that didn’t exist previously. Additional digging appeared to reveal that there were actually two different trim levels for the presumed Bronco Raptor — one of which opens the door to adaptive cruise control, voice-activated navigation, wireless device charging, an upgraded audio system, heated steering wheel, and some kind of luxury package.
New paint colors were also said to be uncovered, including the rather exclusive Code Orange that’s on the 2021 F-150 Raptor. If you like striking hues, it’s not a bad option. Though Ford probably could have called it Tomato Red to avoid confusion.
From Bronco6G:
After looking through the Model Year 2022 Bronco Raptor is coming around. Two different levels a base Raptor 373A and a higher package that includes lux in a 374A. Also see the new colors in Erupution Green, Hot Pepper Red and Code Orange. Really exciting stuff and will continue to see if there are other options available and keep everyone posted.
Another new trim level I found for 4 Door Advanced only is an Everglades. Only has a few colors available with it. Its a 922A order code but no content information. CONCEPS is no longer used for retail/stock ordering so information is limited, but it gives all of us something to look forward to or drive us insane! I checked CONCEPS first because Ford updates the database before WBDO which is the main ordering system for Retail/Stock units.
Ford is unlikely to confirm or deny any of the above, but we’re inclined to think it’s legitimate. There have been numerous leaks pertaining to the Bronco Raptor, including one from 2020 where a longtime Ford engineer mentioned a work history connected to the 2023 Bronco Raptor in their LinkedIn profile. Odds are good the off-roader is coming and, if the latest data is to be believed, much sooner than originally anticipated.
What can you expect when it arrives? Well, we’ve heard that it could come with the same (450-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter) Ecoboost V6 that installed in the base F-Series Raptor. But we’ve also been told that it could be a beefed up version of the 2.7-liter V6 that goes into the standard SUV tuned to make at least 350 hp. Either way, it’s going to have loads of suspension upgrades so it can mimic the dune hopping seen in basically all the marketing materials Ford releases under the Raptor banner. At a minimum, that means hardware furnished by Fox, hardcore off-road tires, and substantially more ground clearance than would be standard.
[Image: Ford Motor Co.]
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