Driving report: Ford Bronco Raptor
Wild jester for the steppe
Ford Bronco Raptor 2023
© press-inform – the press office
As if the regular Ford Bronco wasn’t hot enough already. With the Raptor, the Dearborn-based carmaker is releasing the particularly sharp off-road version. The Bronco Raptor knows hardly any limits in the dusty steppe or on the off-road trail.
Wild jester for the steppe
The heart of the new off-road behemoth is a high-strength steel frame, fully clad at the bottom and equipped with new shock absorber mounts that increase spring deflection and thus off-road mobility at high speeds. The robust underride protection ensures that even sharp stones and debris cannot damage modules such as the engine, transmission and transfer case. In addition, struts on the B and C pillars ensure that the torsional rigidity of the body is increased by more than 50 percent compared to a normal Bronco. In tough off-road use, nothing works without the appropriate off-road axles. The standard rear axle flew out and was replaced by the more professional 235mm-sprocket Dana 50-Heavy-Duty AdvanTEK variant, while the modified Dana 44-AdvanTEK front-wheel drive unit got upgraded 210-sprocket half-shafts. This also increased the track width by an impressive 22 centimeters to 1.87 meters. The ingredients are noticeable in off-road use on the first few meters, because the wider track together with the high-performance axles ensure maximum surefootedness in sand and dirt. The whole thing is even more impressive in hard use on narrow mountain paths and at higher speeds in soft terrain. Here the Raptor is hardly recognizable compared to the anything but tame production model and pulls a plume of dust behind it like an entire Indian tribe. When driving over mighty wood, through mud or water, the pilot not only benefits from the direct, but rather nervous steering; in particular, however, more than 33 centimeters of ground clearance. The wading depth: stately 94 centimeters.
The all-wheel drive system with its seven different driving modes was designed by the in-house performance department for tough desert missions. Ten-speed automatic transmission and differentials should not give up even at maximum load and high ground temperatures. The revised transfer case offers the driver minimal creep speeds thanks to its 3.06 reduction. The suspension was tuned together with Fox specialists. Similar to the big brother Ford F-150 Raptor, the well-known Hoss 4.0 system was installed with the Fox 3.1 active dampers, which ensure that the wheels find the necessary grip on any surface, even under the toughest conditions. Meanwhile, numerous sensors monitor the terrain in a matter of milliseconds and adjust the chassis settings accordingly. Modified wishbones at the front and rear ensure a suspension travel of up to 35 centimetres. But the Ultra-Bronco can not only crawl slowly in the terrain – it shines with its symbiosis of drive and chassis, especially at high speeds. This is not only ensured by the three-liter V6 turbo with 309 kW / 418 hp, but also not least by the off-road tires in format (37 x 12.50 R 17 LT). More rubber from the standard bar is currently not possible.
So that the 4.85 meter long Raptor can also deliver in sand and dust, the performance of the six-cylinder Type 99R was not only increased to over 400 hp and almost 600 Nm maximum torque, but the charge air cooling and intake tract were designed for desert use like the Baja 1000 . Especially in the corresponding driving mode, the power bronco shoots out of all tubes, so that the occupants and the environment alike lose their senses. The exhaust sound can be switched to Normal, Sport or Baja levels – if you don’t want to make enemies in the neighborhood, you can stay in whisper mode, at least in town. The Raptor can be customized with accessories according to taste. This includes winches or additional headlights that can be operated via freely assignable switches on the dashboard. Removable LED fog lights and off-road spotlights are located under protective caps at the front for better illumination at close range. Important: the running boards can be removed for tough off-road use.
Inside, the Bronco remains rustic and of little value, even as a Raptor version. The animated instruments and the central touchscreen can be toggled through in a wide variety of views, which make driving in tough terrain easier. The additionally upholstered sports seats are fine at the front; anything but comfortable behind. A weak point of the Bronco remains the hardtop with its removable roof modules, which can hardly be locked, especially when folded slightly. But who cares if you’re thundering over dusty steppes with the roof down and ski goggles? Hard to get more off-road fun in a production model.