SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1453527
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor The Most Powerful Bronco SUV To Hit The Rocks And Roads By Elijah Sanchez Photography Courtesy Ford Motor Co. From dominating desert highways to crawling through rock-ridden Baja trails, Ford introduced its 2022 Bronco Raptor in an effort to set incredibly high standards of durability and capability for off-road vehicles. “Raptor is the apex of our off-road lineup and is now a full lineup with race-proven content and design that you can’t get from anyone else,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company, Jim Farley. “Only Ford could create a Bronco Raptor.” The Bronco was initially introduced at the 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 with the Bronco R, a race version of the yet-to-be-built consumer vehicle, but with the factory powertrain. This tested its capabilities in the toughest off-road race in the world. Ford continued to develop the Bronco in subsequent SCORE races and in other forms of off-road racing until the vehicle finally made it out to showrooms in 2021. To improve the Bronco further with the “Raptor” designation, Ford Performance developed a fully-boxed, high-strength steel Raptor-specific frame foundation for better suspension travel and track width. New shock towers also increase wheel travel and durability, while improved upper body strength is provided by a B-pillar crossbar and C-pillar reinforcement, increasing total body-in-prime torsional rigidity by over fifty percent compared to the standard Bronco four-door model. Inspired by the vehicle’s off-road and rock crawling motorsports experience, Ford Performance also developed race-ready level axels. Track and width totals on the Raptor increase to 73.6 inches with the addition of a rear semi-float Dana 50 ™ Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK ® axel, and a Dana 44 ™ AdvanTEK ® front-drive unit. A three-mode 4x4 system also provides a higher-capacity clutch and a transfer case with up to 67.7:1 crawl ratio. To support high-speed navigation over rough terrain, upgraded HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) 4.0 Suspension with FOX™ Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers were integrated front and rear, with remote reservoirs, along with suspension height sensors that monitor and adjust suspension tuning. Trusted and loved by many SCORE fans and racers for good reason, BFGoodrich standard 37-inch KO2 all-terrain tires come standard on the Bronco Raptor, making them the largest tires on any production SUV currently available in the United States. Front and rear control arms create maximum wheel travel of 13.0-inches in the front and 14.0 inches in the rear. Inspired by the F-150 Raptor, larger inner and outer tie rods were added along with an electric power steering rack and housing. SJ As the most powerful street-legal Bronco ever, a graphite iron-black 3.0L EcoBoost ® V6 engine delivers more than 400 horsepower. For added durability, Ford engineers added an intercooler and air-induction systems to keep power levels high, even in the desert heat. To add another level of customization, a true-dual exhaust system uses near-equal-length pipes for improved exhaust notes. The Bronco Raptor allows drivers to choose between four exhaust modes (Normal, Sport, Quiet, and Baja) to adjust the sound. While it may seem like a gimmick at first, considering that exhaust upgrades are one of the first of their kind on vehicles like this, the added adjustability to its exhaust sounds adds another factor into the overall performance and feel each driver wants to experience. The EcoBoost engine is paired with Ford’s Terrain Management System™ with seven G.O.A.T. Modes™ (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) for more precise off-road navigation. The selectable modes include an exclusive Baja Mode, which activates turbo anti-lag calibration for maximum high-speed desert performance. Trail control, Trail Turn Assist, and Trail One-Pedal Driving are also included standard features, along with a new Tow/Haul Mode with a tow rating of 4,500 pounds. While built for speed and capability, the Bronco Raptor is still pretty awesome to look at. “As the most badass Bronco yet, the Bronco Raptor design is extreme,” said Design Chief Paul Wraith. “It’s muscular while maintaining an underlying simplicity with performance-focused details added only for outstanding high-speed capability.” Even with all the under-the-hood transformations, the vehicle is still unmistakably a Bronco. It features the iconic Ford block lettering front and center across the rectangular grille, with a dramatically sculpted hood with integrated Carbon Black hood vents. The modular steel front bumper features two hooks and removable bumper end caps, giving a heavy-duty look while also improving approach angle clearances. LED headlights with integrated amber marker lamps and amber daytime lamps add to the iconic, intimidating Bronco look. Removable Rigid LED fog and off-road lamps provide even further illumination. For a more muscular, sculpted look compared to the standard Bronco models, the Bronco Ranger is shaped with a sheet modeling compound to create wider front fenders and Raptor-inspired front and rear quarter panels, flares, and door appliques. In all, it is 9.8 inches wider than a standard four-door model Bronco. Exterior customization options offer ten available exterior colors, including a Ford-Performance-Exclusive Code Orange Paint. An available Bronco Raptor Graphics Package also includes a sophisticated, trapezoidal splatter pattern across the rear body sides and hood. Inside, the Bronco Raptor is fully equipped with luxury and functional features for better performance and comfort. “The Bronco Raptor interior was designed around what we know hardcore off-road racers want in a vehicle,” said Design Manager, Ryan Olsson. “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.” Standard models come with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized flooring, with Ford Performance Orange accents adding splashes of color throughout the dark interior. Optional upgraded features for even more style and comfort include a thicker, sport-contoured steering wheel, and unique foam-bolstered front seats specially designed by Ford Performance to keep passengers firmly in place even on the most rugged trails. Bronco Raptor comes with a SYNC® 4 with a 12-inch touchscreen, an information on-demand panel, and advanced voice recognition. The horizontal dash with an all-digital 12-inch cluster allows drivers to select various viewpoints, with an exclusive Bronco Raptor Performance View that displays tachometer and gear readings and allows for gauge customization. A 360-degree exterior viewing camera is also included. The Lux package offers even more features with an available 10-speaker B&O auto system and Adaptive Cruise Control. With vehicles arriving this summer, the 2022 Bronco Raptor has sparked the interest of off-road racers and SCORE fans because of its race-ready refinement and capability. “It’s our ultimate vehicle for hardcore off-road enthusiasts who demand something more,” said Ford Performance Chief Engineer, Carl Widmann. “The ‘Raptor of SUVs’ conquers desert dunes at highway speeds and is equipped with competition-level off-road technology and hardware.” Base models start at $69,995 with orders opening for customers this March. SJ