2022 Ford Bronco Raptor shown off testing – UPDATE

UPDATE, November 10: Ford's new Bronco Raptor has been put through its paces, with American publication The Bronco Nation providing insights into the Blue Oval's off-road hero car.

In a post on its Facebook page, The Bronco Nation claims it was given exclusive access to test out the Bronco Raptor, flexing its massive 37-inch tyres, long-travel suspension and pumped guards for a significantly tougher stance than the existing Bronco.

While earlier information led us to believe it would be powered by a 3.0-litre EcoBoost engine, there is now a suggestion Ford's 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost from the F-150 Raptor is under the bonnet, punching out around 335kW and 691Nm.

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September 22: The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has been announced, with a short, 16-second teaser video posted on the company’s social media accounts.

The video shows a glimpse of the Bronco’s new F-O-R-D grille – synonymous with Raptor models across the Ford range – with a cloud of dust to reaffirm the vehicle’s off-road character.

With the Bronco designed to compete directly against the Jeep Wrangler, for some time rumours have swirled of a performance variant intended to fight the Wrangler Rubicon 392 V8.

Early indications suggested it would be called the Bronco Warthog, following a trademark filing by the carmaker, but company sources told US website Ford Authority the name was a deliberate misdirection.

It’s widely reported the new Bronco Raptor will gain the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 EcoBoost engine found in the Explorer ST performance SUV – the very same engine rumoured to be powering the 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor – with around 300kW and 600Nm said to be on offer. The 10-speed automatic transmission is expected to carry over.

The teaser comes just a week after a dealership leak was posted to the Bronco 6G forum, revealing the Raptor will only be offered as a four-door, with buyers given access to an exclusive ‘code orange’ paint colour – as seen in the video.

Though details remain scarce, it’s understood two trim levels will be available on the Bronco Raptor, with the higher-spec model offering a 10-speaker sound system, voice-activated satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charging, radar cruise control, and a heated steering wheel.

In the teaser video, we can see the Raptor gains unique amber daytime-running light signatures and revised plastic wheel arches.

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The Raptor is also expected to feature Fox Live Valve shock absorbers, a wider front and rear track, higher ground clearance, and 17-inch alloy wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres in 315/70R17 – or 35 inches in the old money.

While reports earlier this week confirmed the Ford Bronco was being considered for European markets to compete against the Land Rover Defender, there’s no sign the Bronco will be produced in right-hand-drive – ruling it out for Australia for the time being.

Expect full announcement of the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor in the coming months.