It's really happening and Ford has confirmed it. The Ford Bronco Raptor will officially debut next year. This hardcore off-roader, originally thought to be called "Warthog," has recently been teased by the Blue Oval. CEO Jim Farley further admitted the SUV's existence. The question is when in 2022 will it debut, and, better yet, when will it be available to buy?
Ford Authority claims it's learned from unidentified sources will be available starting next summer. It's possible some Ford dealerships are already taking deposits or, at the very least, starting waitlists, but details about this latest Raptor are being kept under lock and key.
The report goes on to claim it'll come powered by the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 currently found in the Ford Explorer ST. Expect at least 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The standard Bronco can be equipped with either a 7-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. Chances are the Raptor variant will only accommodate the latter.
Along with the new engine, the Bronco Raptor will receive several suspension upgrades, not least of which will be Fox high-performance shocks. Expect some styling changes to help differentiate it from regular Broncos. A new set of off-road tires is a sure bet, too. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that a two-door body style will be available, at least not initially.
This could change if there's enough demand, such as when buyers made it clear they wanted the manual gearbox with the Sasquatch package. Let that serve as the precedent. Assuming everything remains on schedule, which could be difficult given the current production problems every automaker is experiencing, by this time next year Bronco Raptors will be out there viciously hunting down Jeep Wranglers.
How Jeep will respond remains unknown but it won't be able to sit back and do nothing. An upgraded Wrangler is definitely necessary. More information, such as pricing and a complete list of specs, about the 2022 Bronco Raptor should be announced early next year. We can guarantee Jeep will be paying very close attention.