2023 Bronco Raptor release date

Updated 9/21/2021 with Ford's confirmation that the Bronco Raptor is arriving in 2022.

With customers finally starting to take delivery of their 2021 Ford Broncos, eyes are now on the upcoming performance model, the Bronco Raptor. Just confirmed by Ford, this hardcore variant of the off-roading icon promises to bring capabilities and learnings from the F-150 of the same name. Here's everything that we think we know about the SUV at this point.

Bronco Raptor or Bronco Warthog?

One cannot begin to explain the Bronco Raptor without addressing the naming issue. For months now there was a debate surrounding whether the SUV will wear the familiar Raptor nameplate or the long-rumored Warthog moniker. Ford cleared that up when it confirmed the Bronco Raptor name at the 2021 Motor Bella event outside Detroit. Still, there's a chance that the Bronco Warthog could be a reality as well.

The standard Bronco lineup includes several trim levels tailored to various off-road activities. The Wildtrak trim for example has been touted as a higher-speed desert runner, while the range-topping Badlands is more geared to rock crawling and trail duty. It is possible that the Bronco Raptor will fall more in line with the Baja-bashing capabilities of its F-150 sibling, while an additional Warthog package comes geared towards more technical off-roading. For now, however, no official word exists as to what name the upgraded 4x4 will wear. For the sake of keeping things clear, we'll utilize the Raptor nameplate below.

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Improved Hardware

Ford Bronco Raptor prototypes have been spotted with a higher frequency as of late, giving us a better look at the hardware we can expect. The prototypes are clearly more aggressive than the standard trucks, with massively swollen fenders and a much higher ride height than we've seen on the production models. Hiding beneath those fenders is a set of Fox Racing dampers easily identified by their orange casing, first reported by The Drive. These are likely similar to, if not the same units used on the F-150 Raptor, and should provide plenty of travel off the pavement. As with the F-150 Raptor, expect a wider track, raised suspension, upgraded chassis components, and skid plates galore to accompany the shocks. Recent spy photos uploaded by Muscle Cars and Trucks also show the hardcore Bronco rocking the same 37-inch BFGoodrich tires as the F-150 Raptor, though expect these to be an optional extra. A set of 35-inch rubber will likely serve as the standard option, which is better suited for high-speed dune running. Other upgrades will include revised facias with the classic "FORD" grille as reported by Bronco6G, as well as a higher clearance front bumper.

A New Powertrain

The standard Ford Bronco is available with a choice of two EcoBoost engines: a 300-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a 330-hp 2.7-liter V-6. While the 2.7-liter EcoBoost could find its way under the hood of the Bronco Raptor, rumors have pointed to a different engine entirely. A new 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 is expected to power the upcoming 4x4, borrowed from the Ford Explorer ST and the Lincoln Aviator. This new powertrain was first hinted at by the team at RevMatchTV. The engine produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in standard trim, while the hybrid variant doles out 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Raptor is expected to get both the standard and hybrid variant of the engine, though output figures are subject to change. The sole transmission option will likely be the 10-speed automatic available on the lesser Bronco models.

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Door Count, Trim Levels, and Colors

Images of what are claimed to be a leaked order guide for the Bronco Raptor were published to the Bronco6G forums in September 2021, uncovering a wealth of trim-level info. The guide, should it be legit, says the Bronco Raptor will arrive for the 2022 model year and only come in four-door guise. The post claims the Raptor will be available in two trims, a base level and a more luxurious trim that'll come with things like adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and the Lux package which, on the normal Bronco, includes a 12-inch infotainment screen, a 360-degree camera, more sound deadening, a 10-speaker sound system and two additional USB smart-charging ports.

The leaked guide also suggests the Bronco Raptor will be available with three new colors: Eruption Green, Hot Pepper Red and Code Orange. The latter is the same orange hue seen on the new F-150 Raptor, for what it's worth.

Of course, none of this info has been confirmed by Ford, so it's best to take it with a grain of salt.

Pricing

The Bronco Raptor will arrive as the new range-topping model, and as such, it is expected to be the most expensive of the bunch. With the First Edition model carrying an MSRP of $60,800, a base price in the mid-$60,000 range is expected, according to Car and Driver. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 carries an MSRP of $73,500, so anything below that will make the SUV seem like a bargain performer.

A Late Arrival

It's no secret that Ford's timeline with the Bronco has been thrown off by the pandemic. Early rumors suggested that the Bronco Raptor would arrive as a 2022 model, though that's shifted. Ford only confirmed that the Bronco Raptor would arrive some time in 2022, so that should make it a 2023 model-year vehicle. Whenever it shows up, this new 4x4 will undoubtedly be welcomed by the resurgent Bronco's fans.

Lucas Bell Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry.

Brian Silvestro Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.

When can I order a 2023 Bronco Raptor?

Order banks for the 2023 Ford Bronco are open for existing 22MY order holders only at this time. The Ford Bronco team has not specified a date for new 23MY orders at this time, but we expect more information to become available later in Q4 of 2022. What Trim Levels Will Be Available for the 2023 Ford Bronco?

When can I preorder a Bronco Raptor?

Order banks for the all-new 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor will open in August of 2022. Ford recently unveiled the Bronco Raptor which is set to offer more capability. As part of the Raptor family, the Ford Bronco Raptor will come equipped with a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine.

How many Bronco Raptors will be built?

While Ford has yet to announce how many Bronco Raptors will be produced, an educated guess suggests between 2,000 and 3,000 may be made annually. This speculation is based on the production mix of F-150 Raptors produced in a non-Covid year.

How much will a Ford Bronco cost in 2023?

Price: We expect the price of the 2023 Ford Bronco will start around $31,000 for the base 2-door model. The 4-door base Bronco is slightly more expensive at roughly $35,000.