Manoli Katakis 
The 2022 Ford Bronco Warthog waits in a holding pattern as the base model will soon reach customers after delays, and as such engineers have their duty to make the most out of this grace period and continue to dial in what’s bound to be a class-leading off-road performance SUV. Based on the latest batch of spy photos, what we’ve got here is less of a Warthog, and more of a wildebeest. The Ford Bronco Warthog will come to market with 37-inch tires, like the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor. And, like the Raptor, it should feature a unique grille that prominently displays the ‘FORD’ logo up front, affixed above a very visible skid plate and front suspension system.
As the 2022 Ford Bronco Program becomes less top secret, the heavy plastic panels that have covered the grille of past Bronco Warthog prototypes have been discarded, and appear to have been subbed out by graphic wrap and a mesh-covered grille. While the FORD logo is not immediately visible, our sleuth spy photographers point out that the grille cutouts that are a perfect match with what was seen on F-150 Raptor prototypes. It would appear that the holes are carved out around the “R” and “D” openings on its iconic FORD-emblazoned grille, and this is our best look yet.
But wait, there’s more. The Ford Bronco Warthog may be so wide and macho that it could feature cab lights; also like the F-150 Raptor. Again, as seen from previous spy photos of the truck, the shin strip of camouflage at the top-center of the grille opening is the likely spot for the marker lights, just where the strip of graphic wrap is placed. An opening fit for a winch also appears present and accounted for.
As for the tires, the 2022 Ford Bronco Warthog is going to deliver on 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires engulfing beadlock capable wheels. Name another production SUV that has such big meats. You can’t. This may be some sort of First Edition or Launch Edition model we’re seeing, perhaps. There looks to be Fox Racing dampers, as well, based on the orange color.
Maybe the Ford Raptor and Bronco teams are sharing more notes than we’re led to believe. And, as MC&T originally suspected, Ford may have hid the 2021 Bronco Warthog under everybody’s nose last summer at Holly Oaks ORV Park.
Of course, such a tire alters the stature, which makes sense why we see low-profile running boards for the first time. They don’t look like they’re giving much way to ground clearance, so occupants may have to get a running start in some cases to access the cabin.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Warthog is expected next year, as the automaker works to navigate rabid demand for this new SUV, as well as the ongoing microchip supply shortage that’s affecting the entire auto industry.
And to think that General Motors canceled a midsize body on frame SUV program. Sad.
