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While the Ecoboost engine is a great motor, The Fast Lane Car wants to know why there is no V8 option in the new Ford Bronco Raptor.
It was only a matter of time before Ford would bless us with the Ford Bronco Raptor. The latest video from The Fast Lane Car YouTube Channel showcases the all-new Bronco and they ask a Ford executive right away about whether or not a V8 option is a possibility. His answer is less than promising.
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The video begins with our presenter telling us he had an offroader that he did modifications to fit 33-inch tires and he thought he was hot stuff. Fast forward to today and the new Bronco Raptor comes factory-equipped with 37-inch behemoths. So why did Ford not put in the V8 to power these massive wheels? Luckily for us, our presenter is speaking with the Lead Program Engineer, Ari Grunovel who will answer all of our questions. After telling us that the larger tires perform better in the desert and for rock crawling, Ari opens the hood and gets straight to the point.
He tells us that under the hood is a proven 3.0L vehicle-specific twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 pumping out 418 horsepower and 440 ft-lbs of torque. Ari also tells us that although many different configurations went through testing, this configuration handles at a higher level than the alternatives.
Performing a walk-around with our presenter Ari points out all the different body parts on the Bronco Raptor. The front grille is unique to the vehicle as are the fender flares, skid plate, mirror, and hood. The fenders and hood comprise of SMC which Ari explains is short-term for sheet-moulding-compound. This basically means you start with a piece of SMC, it's placed in a mold and essentially crushed into shape. For those who have seen the movie, 8 Mile, this is very similar to Eminem's job at the plant in Detroit. A very effective and strong way to build a heavy-duty car.
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To do major off-roading, the Ford team really needs to stiffen up the frame. To add torsional rigidity to the frame they have added a bibo. Before our presenter has time to ask what a bibo is Ari answers by telling us that it is an aluminum extrusion that goes behind the first-row seats. At the rear is a sibo which, yep you guessed it, is a rear extrusion connecting the roof lines.
The Sibo's construction, however, is nylon shell glass-filled nylon with carbon composite to allow for rigidity when needed but also just enough give that it wouldn't damage the body when rock climbing. That shows the amount of research that has gone into this vehicle. So, why no V8? We believe Ari when he says his team did all their research for every single aspect of the vehicle, even if it's not the answer we were expecting.
Pat is a licensed mechanic who has built everything from custom tent trailers to resto-modding a 1950's all Canadian Princecraft boat and everything in between. Pat currently drives a modified '05 Mustang, lifted '08 F250 and a Mercedes E350 Coupe.