2027 Ford Bronco RTR Debuts in Detroit

If you love the Ford Bronco but a base Big Bend model or top-flite-bonkers Raptor just won’t do, Ford is introducing a compelling alternative.

Come 2027, aspiring Bronco owners (or even current Bronco owners; by most accounts, there’s quite a lot of brand loyalty here) will be able to choose the Bronco RTR. Tuned by Vaughn Gittin Jr’s team over at RTR (“Ready to Rock!”) Vehicles, the Bronco RTR gets uprated suspension, wheels, bumpers and graphics to achieve a sort of “Bronco-lite” effect.

While they haven’t yet shown us the interior or given us power figures, we’re guessing we’ll be seeing the the 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost under the RTR’s hood. It has what it takes to produce at least 300 horsepower. At least that’s what it makes in a standard Bronco; expect a little more from the RTR, perhaps more along the lines of the 315 hp made by the Mustang coupe that uses the same engine. It will also get the “Baja” performance mode seen on the Raptor trucks.

What Ford has revealed about the RTR is compelling; it will be available in two specs: base, and Sasquatch, and only with four doors. The former gets steel front and rear bumpers, Hoss 2.0 suspension and all the graphics and trademark Hyperlime green accents you’d want. These can be found on the beadlock-ready wheels, the “trail sights” above the fenders and around the “Bronco” grille lettering. That last detail is standard; you can have the Hyperlime deleted from other bits if you so wish. While we haven’t seen the interior, expect to see more of the colour splashed throughout.

The Sasquatch-spec RTR gets 35-inch tires (33s are standard) as well as Hoss 3.0 suspension with Fox Live Valve internal bypass dampers. All models will get the steering rack from the Raptor as well as squared-off fenders.

A number of body colours will also be available (including a new shade of blue) and the topography graphic seen on the rear fender and quarterpanel will always be finished in black, but with the body colour coming through the negative space. Said topography isn’t random, by the way; it’s a replica of a section of Johnston Canyon in California, where Ford tests and develops the Bronco. And, according to them, breaks more than a few to make sure “they get it just right”.

Watch this space for pricing and performance figures (as well as an eventual test drive, if all goes to plan) as we near the end of the year.