A Bronco Raptor Could Be On the Way

Ford is creating a sub-brand of performance off-road vehicles that wear the same name. The Bronco Raptor could be the next to join the group.

We’ve been teased by the Ranger Raptor, we have the F-150 Raptor, and next could be the predatory form of the Bronco to be an amazing off-road SUV that can take on any terrain and bring performance up to a new level. Even though the Bronco has only recently come back to the market, adding a high-performance version this early seems about right for the blue oval brand.

What’s a Warthog?

There were rumblings and rumors that the hardcore Bronco would be called Warthog. This name was tossed around, it could have been part of some trademark filings, and it eventually became the name we thought would be attached to the Bronco and Bronco Sport when the hardcore versions arrived. Thankfully, Ford has learned from the past and is going to remain consistent with its naming structure by using Raptor instead of Warthog for the upcoming SUVs that will carry you deeper into the wilderness than their regular counterparts. Forget the Warthog name; you might not know what that is anyway and won’t need to.

What To Expect in the Bronco Raptor

If you’re looking for a hotter, wilder, and more off-road capable SUV than what we already see in the new Bronco that has a ton of power and attitude for your fun in the outdoors, the new version of the Bronco is what you’re looking for. Adding the Raptor name tells you what to expect. Thanks to the Ford F-150 Raptor, we know that this name symbolizes extreme off-road performance and power, giving us the amazing drive and power we want to experience every time we head off into the wilderness.

So Far, Just a Prototype

Although we are already a couple of months into the 2022 model year, the Raptor version of this SUV will arrive before we turn to the next one. We expect to see the hardcore Bronco in the summer, which will just make it as a 2022 model. What we’ve seen so far has been prototypes that can’t quite hide the build and qualities of this SUV from our view. There’s nothing wrong with that fact; we’re already talking about this new SUV and looking forward with anticipation to when it will be ready to be purchased.

Things We Do Know About the Raptor

The hardcore SUV that you want to drive might not be a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon any longer. The Bronco Raptor is making a case for taking you to the furthest areas in the wilderness. This new SUV will ride on 37-inch all-terrain tires, use a beefed-up suspension system, offer a wide stance, gives you LED marker lights hidden in the grille, brings you a set of Rigid LED fog and driving lights in the front bumper, and the block F O R D across the front, which is a staple of the Raptor name.

The body of this new version of the Bronco has massive fender flares that could be from the DR race truck built on the Bronco platform. You will see amber daytime running lights and a new set of LED taillights. The prototype that was the subject of this study had a hardtop on it, which leaves the question of whether or not the new Raptor SUV will be available as a soft-top, or will you have to drive this hardcore SUV with a hardtop? This question might not be answered until we are closer to the release date.

Power is Still a Mystery

Currently, the most powerful version of the Ford Bronco that we have in the market uses a 2.7-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that makes 330 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. One that is made for high-speed desert adventures would likely need more power than this. Could we see the twin-turbocharged V6 engine from the F-150 Raptor under the hood? Maybe not, but we might see the one from the Ranger Raptor, which is rated at 400 horsepower, which would certainly get the job done on any desert path.

If You Don’t Want to Wait

The only drawback to the Bronco Raptor right now is that you have to wait for it to arrive this summer. If you’re looking for the right off-road SUV for your adventures during the next few months, the Ford Bronco does give you what you want. This SUV is a serious off-roading machine with a unique build and the qualities you’re looking for when you get behind the wheel. You’ll love the blocky build, the advanced technology, and the off-road prowess that challenges any Jeep when you take it deep into the wilderness for some fun.

Get Harder With the Right Package

If you do select one of the current Bronco versions, you’ll want to add the Sasquatch Package to the mix. This is the closest you’ll get to the Raptor model that will arrive in the summer. This package gives you 17-inch beadlock-capable alloy wheels, 35-inch all-terrain tires, locking front and rear differentials, high-clearance fender flares, a special high-clearance suspension, position-sensitive Bilstein shocks, and a Trail Control mode, provided you select the automatic transmission for your drive. This is a package that can give you the hardcore feeling you want when you’re out on the trails.

You Can’t Go Wrong with the Bronco

Whether you wait for the hardcore name that you know or you’re going to take one of the regular versions of the Ford Bronco out on the trails, you certainly can’t go wrong. This amazing SUV is made to handle any terrain, take on the toughest mud, sand, or snow, and plow right through. This is an SUV that spells freedom in a way that you’ve not seen before. Check out the current models at your local Ford dealer or set your clock for later this summer when the new Bronco Raptor will arrive.