(Our Automotive Expert) – I was one of the first automotive journalists to drive the new Ford Bronco Raptor, in Johnson Valley, where King of the Hammers is set. One of the most grueling off-road desert events in North America. This vehicle is built specifically for some of these high speed desert racing events. America’s first desert racing-inspired SUV. It’s powerful, it’s fast. We have to get there on the road, so let’s go for a run.

Before racing the Bronco Raptor through the desert, we have to cross the mountains near Palm Springs. Here’s the deal, you can buy off-road vehicles all day, but drive them on the highway and they’re all loud, bumpy, and uncomfortable. Quite interesting. This Raptor Bronco is not one. It doesn’t make much noise, it doesn’t move at all. Forty-five miles an hour and it’s supremely comfortable to ride.

In fact, it’s a better highway ride than the regular Bronco. And when they told me that in the presentation, I thought maybe they lied. No, not so. The Bronco Raptor leaves and the factory is upgraded for performance inside. Now the interior has unique features, it has carbon fiber accents and bolstered seats, especially for off-road. Ford gave us red accents, along with the big red Bronco name on the passenger side. So, you know, it’s a Raptor bronco.

It also has goat modes for two exclusive goat modes as it is the Raptor. One of them is Sports paddle shifters and an exhaust mode on the steering wheel. So you can be extremely loud and let people know you’re driving a Bronco Raptor.