Snow Joking Around, the Ford Bronco Everglades Looks Ready to Own Winter

Drum roll, please: The Blue Oval has put two of our favorite words together—Bronco and Raptor—and finally coughed up details we have pined for regarding the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.No one on the planet should be surprised that a Bronco Raptor has been in the works, but we now know when it is coming, its price, details about its doors and roof, and most important what will be under the hood. And yes, the official name is Bronco Raptor—"Warthog" was the winning code name for the project from an internal competition and was never meant for use outside Ford's halls.Essential HardwareHere's the big news: The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor comes one way, with four doors, a removable hard top, 37-inch tires, and a version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 found in the Explorer ST. Ford promises it will deliver more than 400 horsepower, but the exact number, as well as torque specs, have not been finalized. (Why no V-8? Read more here.)Ford Performance got its hands on the 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine and started customizing it to meet the requirements of the 2022 Bronco Raptor. The SUV needed to excel at high speeds on- and off-road, as well as at extremely low rock-crawling speeds. Engineers worked to increase the amount of air moving in and out of the engine, reducing induction losses, and incorporating low-pressure ducts, a new exhaust, and even a simplified muffler. The goal was to increase horsepower at a higher rpm so you can keep your foot to the floor all the way to the redline and not fall off a cliff when you reach it. The Ford Bronco Raptor also uses the company's 10-speed automatic transmission.This much-hyped SUV is essentially a Ford Ranger Raptor under a well-equipped Bronco. The Raptor treatment made it 9.8 inches wider and 3.0 inches taller, with 13.1 inches of ground clearance riding on standard BF Goodrich 37-inch K02 all-terrain tires. Its minimum running ground clearance is 13.1 inches, or 1.6 inches higher than the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch. Inspired by the Ultra4 race series, this Bronco has a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system and fully boxed frame with new shock towers. Maximum wheel travel is 13.0 inches in front and 14.0 inches at the rear.How Much Does the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Cost?The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor's starting price is $69,995, and Ford will begin accepting orders in March ahead of deliveries this summer.This tasty treat rounds out a growing Bronco family that first broke cover with the Bronco R teaser that raced in the SCORE Baja 1000 in 2020, followed by the mainstream production 2021 Bronco that went on sale last year. Next we saw the $250,000 2023 Bronco DR (for Desert Ready), a turnkey off-road-only racer coming later this year with plans to make only 50 examples with a Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. Now we have the much-anticipated street-legal Bronco Raptor.But don't hold your breath for a street-legal fire-breathing Bronco with a V-8: Ford thinks the twin-turbo V-6 is just right, and the powerplant has the added advantage of actually fitting inside the Bronco Raptor's engine bay.The latest Bronco also rounds out the Raptor family that began with the Ford F-150 Raptor and includes a Ford Ranger Raptor in other parts of the world. The Bronco family shares the Ranger platform.Raptor Was a Late Addition The Raptor model was not a given from the start of the Bronco program. Bronco design manager Ryan Olsson was called in about three months after the main Bronco program wrapped up—about 2.5 years ago—to start formally sketching a Raptor version. Talk of a Bronco Raptor had been around for a while, but the project first needed a feasibility study. For Olsson, getting the go-ahead to put pencil to paper meant revisiting old ideas and wish lists. "We were able to do things we wanted to do with the base Bronco and couldn't," he said.Marching orders: nothing superfluous. Everything had to make the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor faster and more capable. The design task was to beautify the engineering for a Bronco ready to conquer the SCORE Baja 1000 and the Ultra4 King of the Hammers off-road races. The credo: "boundless and badass.""We poured all of our passion and all of our Bronco and Raptor know-how into creating this absolute desert-racing beast," Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said in a release. "It's the real deal. It's not for show and it's not for everybody. But for people who love to get out in the wild, it's the ultimate."Two-Door Bronco Raptor Never in the CardsFrom the start, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor was to be four-door only—a two-door with a shorter wheelbase was never in the plans and still isn't.The roof inspired a bit more debate. For structural integrity when flying over desert whoopties, there was talk of a fixed roof. But it went against the "wild and kicking" outdoor Bronco spirit. Say hello to a removable hard top rather than a soft top; the latter was considered, but a removable hard top does a better job of keeping out dust and dirt, and it provides a quieter on-road experience with NVH liners mounted inside.To reinforce the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor when desert racing, there are two additional crossbars that span the width of the vehicle, contributing to a Raptor with a torsional-rigidity increase of more than 50 percent compared to a standard Bronco four-door model. The aluminum B-bow is carefully placed to ensure helmet clearance and to not impinge on the open-air experience. The C-pillar reinforcement uses a carbon-fiber center section to reduce weight. Also required was additional Fox damping compared to the F-150 Raptor, due to the Bronco's shorter wheelbase. The result offers similar suspension travel, the same brakes, and much of the same tech, said Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann.Spotting the 2022 Ford Bronco RaptorThe 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is recognizable thanks to its amber LED lighting and a domed hood specific to the Raptor. The unique grille doubles the air flow into the engine compartment, and extra louvers in the hood and fenders help extract this extra air. Wider fender flares cover the jumbo tires, special fender liners are designed to shed mud and ice, and stone-peck guards help protect the rear fenders from rocks kicked up by the front wheels. Wheel choices include 17-inch cast aluminum, a standard bead-lock-capable design, and an optional bead-lock wheel of forged aluminum.Skidplates and bash plates have been upgraded, and engineers designed running boards that bolt directly to the rock rails. Fasteners for the latter are conveniently located above the mud line, eliminating the need to crawl under the truck. The idea came from watching would-be owners who had passengers who struggled to get into vehicles without running boards, as well as "sophisticate" buyers who want to avoid getting their clothes dirty.Engineers also devised a unique rear quarter panel that accommodates the gas tank fuel door in the narrow remaining space. They also needed new taillights that extend further out so they can be seen on either side of the 37-inch spare tire on the back, as well as a new CHMSL (center high-mounted stop light).Ripping Around the Desert in StyleFord wanted higher-quality materials executed with better fit and finish for the Bronco Raptor. It is fitted with the High package as a starting point. (More on that shortly.) For a more upscale look, sewn vinyl wraps the top of the instrument panel, with leather seat bolsters and carbon-fiber trim, as well. Paddle shifters are made of magnesium.The Bronco Raptor has specific seats made of a durable and washable microsuede to keep occupants from slipping, even with the additional bolstering. There are Code Orange seat belts and accents around the cabin that coordinate with the two interior color choices: Black Onyx and Rhapsody Blue. There are 10 standard exterior colors in the first model year.In front of the driver is a 12.0-inch digital cluster; the base Bronco has an 8.0-inch cluster and analog gauges. The High package means the Raptor comes well-appointed with Sync 4, voice recognition, and heated seats. Moving up to the Lux package brings wireless charging, a heated steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and adaptive cruise control.The SUV's true purpose is reinforced with grab handles on the dash and center console. And owners should scout around for Easter eggs.Off-Road PrimerToggle the steering wheel to engage My Mode for your preferred exhaust sound (possible with the active exhaust system), as well as steering and suspension settings. Meanwhile, the Performance View on the digital gauge cluster has a huge tach in the middle. All screens and graphics try to simplify the wealth of information available to help the off-road user and desert racer, with gear readings and graphics to show if a diff is locked, damper status, pitch and roll, and more. Ford research indicates 80 percent of buyers will take their 2022 Bronco Raptor off-road.In fact, the Bronco Raptor starts with the six G.O.A.T. modes found on all Broncos—each accompanied by fun graphics—with a unique calibration for the Baja mode and the addition of a seventh mode: tow/haul, which allows the SUV to increase its towing capacity to 4,500 pounds, or 1,000 pounds more than the base Bronco's. A unique hitch and extra bracing contributed to the greater towing capacity so owners can bring their side-by-side ATVs to the off-road park.Ultimately, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is the halo for the Bronco lineup. Those are huge shoes to fill, and there will be many who will decry the lack of a V-8 engine option. But Ford engineers are unwavering in their belief their latest SUV lives up to both of its storied names. 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Specifications BASE PRICE $69,995 LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 3.0L/430-hp (est)/420-lb-ft (est) twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 10-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 5,750 lb (mfr) WHEELBASE 116.5 in L x W x H 191.0 x 85.7 x 77.8 in 0-60 MPH 5.5 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON (CITY/HWY/COMB) Not yet rated EPA RANGE (COMB) 333 miles (est) ON SALE Summer 2022 Show All

When Acura showed the Integra Prototype in November of last year, the reaction was overwhelming. Some applauded the iconic sport compact's return, while others gave its style thumbs down. To the surprise of no one, based on Honda/Acura's history of presenting near-production-ready vehicles as "concepts" or "prototypes" before debuting their final renditions,  the 2023 Acura Integra looks just like last year's prototype. The only things missing are the prototype's graphics package, yellow paint, and the cool-looking dual exhausts also painted in yellow. Its swoopy roofline, liftback tailgate and classic five-door shape pay homage to the original Integra hatchbacks from the '80s, while its new powertrain and chassis are lifted straight from the latest Honda Civic.The 2023 Acura Integra takes over from the outgoing ILX as the gateway to the brand. And it's a smart strategy. While some Integra enthusiasts may be disappointed with the new car's design, others will see it as an opportunity to get a spirited, entry-level car without spending a fortune—or even just a more luxurious Civic with a sportier bent. The Integra will launch in three trims—Integra, A-Spec and A-Spec with the Technology Package—in the first half of this year, with a price tag starting around $30,000—pretty much where today's regular-grade Civic hatchback tops out.The Design Is Loaded With References to Early IntegrasPenned by Acura's studio in Japan, the new Integra carries Acura's design language first seen on the 2019 MDX. Despite sharing its platform and overall shape with the 2022 Civic hatchback, the Honda and Acura don't share any sheetmetal. In fact, the Integra is a massive 6.8 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider, and 0.2 inch lower than the Civic Hatchback, though both cars share the same 107.7-inch wheelbase.The Integra marks the first use of Acura's pentagonal grille without a frame, a feature we saw on the prototype that adds a touch of sharpness to the front end. Like other Acuras, the grille is flanked by kinked LED daytime running lights and jewel eye headlights. From the profile, the most attractive part is the C-pillar, where the roofline sharply drops down to give the Integra A a classic liftback design. The rear's soft character lines blend in nicely with the rest of the car, while its ducktail spoiler and dual exhaust lean hard into the sporty presence that Acura is hoping its Integra gives off.Like early Integra models, the Integra name is embossed in the front and rear bumpers under the driver-side headlight and passenger-side taillight, a cue that we saw on the prototype and was (thankfully) kept on the production model.A Roomy, Luxurious Space InsideThough the Integra's exterior design was previewed by the prototype, this is the first time we've truly seen the cabin. (We nabbed a brief look at a working prototype's interior recently, though it was mostly covered up at the time.) There's no masking the Honda Civic ties, but Acura took some of the best traits from the (admittedly excellent, surprisingly upmarket) Civic's interior and built on top of it, ladling on extra luxuries and some unique touches. Among the surprises? That the cabin design takes a departure from Acura's other current models by ditching those cars' big, bold rotary knob in the center console for selecting drive modes. The Civic's slim toggle switch on the console for handling the same task remains.Besides the soft leather and suede inserts on the seats, the one thing that will impress Integra drivers is the standard 10.2-inch digital dashboard display. Dubbed Acura Precision Cockpit, the screen takes place right in front of the driver, offering modern graphics and multiple display modes that make the instrument cluster unique (a similar feature is only available on top-spec Civics). A 7.0-inch central touchscreen is standard, though top trims get a 9.0-inch touchscreen. The smaller display comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the bigger screen adds wireless connection with Amazon Alexa integrated. Those who select the A Spec with the Tech Package will also get a head-up display and four USB ports instead of one.We've praised the Civic's interior for its cool full-width air vent design, and Acura kept parts of it in the Integra. Although the vents don't run along the entire dashboard like in the Honda, its diamond pattern design is unique, and its functionality is the same.As far as equipment goes, the 16-speaker ELS Studio premium audio system is standard on the top trim, while an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat is standard on the base model. Those who get the base or A-Spec trims will get synthetic leather seats and a manual-operated passenger's seat.Thanks to the hatch body style and longer-than-Civic dimensions, the Integra is quite roomy. The rear seats fold completely flat, leaving a ton of space for large items like a surfboard, or even allowing short people to sleep in it. The drawback to that sultry roofline is headroom for the rear seat occupants is tighter, meaning tall passengers will feel the headliner touching the top of their heads.Body By Acura, Powertrain By HondaThe 2023 Acura Integra will be powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine sending 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. A CVT transmission is standard, though a six-speed manual with a limited slip differential is available. That comes with a bit of a catch, as the manual is only available in the top trim, but it will be offered at no cost. Automatic versions will get paddle shifters. If these setups sound familiar, it's because they're lifted from the Civic; however, the turbo engine is the version from the sportier Civic Si—as is the six-speed manual transmission—while the CVT is borrowed from the lower-output 1.5-liter turbo engine offered in the regular Civic EX and Touring models. Honda doesn't offer the Si with any automatic, making the Integra's entry-level setup (200-hp turbo and CVT) unique. Ditto the combination of Si power in a hatchback body; the Civic Si is only offered as a sedan.For enthusiasts, the A-Spec with the Technology Package will be the trim to get solely due to the availability of the six-speed and adaptive suspension (besides, of course, its attractive equipment). A-Spec models also get the optional 18-inch wheels (compared to 17s in the base model), though there will be 19-inch wheels available as dealer-installed options.Four drive modes are available—Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual. The latter allows the driver to change the suspension, steering and transmission settings individually.So, How Much?Acura says the Integra will start around $30,000 and will max out in the mid-$30,000s. And from what we've seen in person, Integra will bring great value to shoppers. It will be a good alternative to those considering a Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW 2 Series or Audi A3, and it might even steal some buyers from the Civic hatchback, which maxes out at $30,865. While some might bemoan the overall, well, Civic nature of the Integra, know this: The latest Civic is a premium-feeling, slick-driving compact. A version with power in line with the sportier Civic Si that also combines a ton of extra luxuries and even more upmarket styling with a practical hatchback body sounds pretty appealing, especially given it won't cost much more than the Honda.Reservations for Integra are now being taken, and the first 500 buyers will have a chance to get a limited-edition NFT. We look forward to driving Integra in May of this year, with the vehicle arriving to U.S. dealerships soon after that.

Update March 1, 2022: MOL Ship Management Singapore, the company that operated the Felicity Ace ship under the Panamanian flag, has announced the car carrier has capsized and sunken below the surface following the onboard fire. Salvage crews had been battling the fires onboard for weeks in an attempt to salvage some of the ship and its contents. It's unclear if anything from the ship was collected before it sank. The initial blaze is said to have started in the cargo hold, where thousands of cars, including some battery-electric vehicles, were being shipped to North America. Here is the latest statement from the Felicity Ace information resource website:"Initial reports from the local salvage team state that the vessel had sunk at around 9AM local time having suffered a list to starboard. The last vessel position was around 220nm off the Azores. The salvage crafts will remain around the area to monitor the situation. "Update February 18, 2022: Reports now indicate the ship is loaded with vehicles from Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, and VW, including some battery-electric powertrain vehicles that now pose a serious hazard for maritime fire crews attempting to salvage the burning vessel.  This story was originally published February 17, 2022, and has since been updated to reflect new information and developments in the ship's fate and the fate of the cargo onboard.