Walking the floor of the Detroit Auto Show, one of the most interesting off-road reveals wasn’t about extreme price tags or headline-grabbing horsepower. It was about accessibility. The all-new 2027 Ford Bronco RTR made its public debut with a clear mission: deliver real high-speed desert performance to enthusiasts who don’t have a Raptor-sized budget.
This second chapter of the Ford and RTR Vehicles partnership builds directly on lessons learned in the desert. Developed alongside RTR founder Vaughn Gittin Jr. and off-road racer Loren Healy, the Bronco RTR takes championship-proven thinking and applies it to something far more attainable. The focus here isn’t crawling rocks at walking speed—it’s confidence at speed, especially in open desert terrain.
Ford leaned heavily on its experience at events like King of the Hammers, shaping the Bronco RTR into a modern take on classic desert runners. High-clearance suspension and standard 33-inch tires create an off-road setup that hasn’t been offered on a Bronco before, giving it a personality separate from the rest of the lineup. Out on dirt, the suspension is designed to encourage staying in the throttle instead of backing off.
For buyers who want to go further, the Sasquatch package turns the Bronco RTR into a serious performer. With HOSS 3.0 suspension and FOX™ internal bypass dampers included, drivers get premium damping without stepping up to higher trims or stacking expensive options. In simple terms, it’s built to soak up big hits without feeling harsh or out of control.
Power comes from the familiar 2.3-liter EcoBoost I4 paired with a 10-speed automatic, and that choice was intentional. The lighter engine keeps weight off the nose, making the Bronco feel more agile in sand and fast dirt. It feels less like a rock crawler and more like a desert pre-runner when pushed.
Ford also borrowed hardware from the Bronco Raptor, including a heavy-duty 1,000-watt cooling fan, and paired it with a race-inspired anti-lag system. The result is quicker throttle response when powering through soft sand—no waiting for boost when momentum matters.
Visually, the Bronco RTR keeps things purposeful. A unique grille with RTR lighting, Evo 6 wheels, heritage-style fender flares, and available Avalanche Gray paint give it a distinct look without going overboard.
From my first look in Detroit, the 2027 Bronco RTR feels like Ford and RTR focused on fun first—and that’s exactly why it matters.
