Ford Bronco Raptor confirmed for 2022 launch

The new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has been teased, confirming a 2022 reveal for the dune-jumping, high-performance version of Ford’s four-wheel-drive.

After months of rumours that new model would wear the Warthog name, Ford has confirmed the reborn Bronco four-wheel-drive – not built in right-hand-drive for Australia – will become the third vehicle to wear the Raptor nameplate, following the US-market F-150 pick-up and smaller Ranger ute sold in markets including Australia.

A teaser video released by the American brand confirms the Bronco Raptor will wear the off-road badge’s signature ‘FORD” script across the front grille, joined by yellow LED daytime-running light signatures (as per the latest F-150 Raptor), wider wheel-arch flares, and what appear to be reworked LED tail-light signatures.

The video also shows a four-door body style – which recent rumours suggest will be the only configuration offered with the Raptor variant, with the short-wheelbase two-door body to be off-limits – while spy photos also point to an increased ride height and larger 37-inch (940mm) BFGoodrich K02 off-road-oriented tyres.

It’s widely expected the Bronco Raptor will be powered by the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 used in the US-market Explorer ST SUV – and rumoured for use in certain versions of the next-generation Ranger Raptor – developing 298kW and 563Nm.

That’s a notable increase over the standard Bronco’s 2.7-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which sends 242kW and 542Nm (on premium fuel) to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid version of the Bronco Raptor has also been rumoured.

Specific launch timing for the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor hasn’t been announced, bar confirmation of a North American sales launch sometime in 2022.

As with the standard Bronco, the Raptor won’t be built in right-hand-drive (for now), meaning it’s off-limits for Australian buyers.