by Ford Does Not Plan to Produce More Powerful Versions of the Bronco and Ranger Raptor
Ford continues to expand the Bronco lineup, recently introducing the premium Filson version. However, it seems fans should not expect the appearance of a Bronco Raptor R model.
In a conversation with Road & Track, Carl Widmann, Chief Engineer of Ford Racing Production Vehicles, stated that he is unaware of any plans to create Raptor R versions for the Bronco or Ranger. He even suggested that “the Ranger Raptor might already have too much power.”
Carl Widmann, Chief Engineer of Ford Racing Production Vehicles, noted that he is unaware of plans for Raptor R versions of the Bronco or Ranger, and added that “the Ranger Raptor might already have too much power.”
Ranger Raptor Power Compared to Competitors
This is a rather interesting stance, given that the pickup is equipped with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine producing 405 horsepower (302 kW) and 430 lb-ft (582 Nm) of torque. While this may not seem like an extremely impressive figure, such power is exceptional in the midsize pickup segment.
For comparison, the Colorado, Canyon, and Frontier models have a maximum of 310 hp (231 kW), while the Tacoma offers up to 326 hp (243 kW). The Jeep Gladiator lags behind with 285 hp (213 kW). At the same time, Dodge is working on a new Dakota and recently confirmed plans for an SRT version, though it is not yet clear whether this will be a street-oriented pickup like the 1500 Rumble Bee or an off-road vehicle similar to the TRX.
Bronco Raptor vs. Jeep Wrangler 392
While the Ranger Raptor is in a separate class, the Bronco faces a serious competitor in Jeep. Their main rival offers the Wrangler Moab 392 with a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produces 470 hp (350 kW) and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque.
This significantly surpasses the Bronco Raptor’s figures of 418 hp (312 kW) and 440 lb-ft (596 Nm) of torque. This situation puts the model in a difficult position, as both SUVs start at a price of $79,995 excluding delivery.
Thus, Ford’s refusal to create more powerful Raptor R versions means that the Jeep Wrangler 392 remains the undisputed leader in this segment in terms of power. Although the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor offer impressive characteristics for their classes, they will not be able to compete with Jeep’s V8, at least in Ford’s official lineup. This decision may be related to the company’s desire to focus on electrification or avoid overcomplicating production lines, leaving room for other special versions, such as the recently introduced Filson. At the same time, the absence of a direct competitor to the Wrangler 392 could impact the Bronco’s position among enthusiasts seeking maximum power in an SUV.
