What Exactly Is the Ford Bronco RTR?
The Bronco RTR is a factory-built performance variant created by Ford in collaboration with RTR Vehicles. It’s aimed at drivers who value speed and control off-road, not just crawling rocks at walking pace. In simple terms, it’s the Bronco for people who think dunes are more fun flat-out than sideways, and yes, that includes long desert runs where momentum is everything.
Where Was the Bronco RTR Tested & Why Does It Matter?
Development happened in Johnson Valley, a place that doesn’t forgive bad suspension tuning or weak cooling. Endless whoops, deep sand, and rock sections mean anything that survives here is genuinely tough. Johnson Valley also hosts King of the Hammers. If a vehicle can cope with that environment, it’ll laugh its way through Liwa dunes or a very enthusiastic weekend in Hatta.
What Makes Its Suspension Setup So Different?
Every Bronco RTR comes standard with a wider track and a new high-clearance suspension paired with 33-inch rugged-terrain tyres. That alone makes it noticeably more planted at speed than regular Broncos.
Go for the Sasquatch package, and things escalate: 35-inch tyres and the HOSS 3.0 system with Fox internal bypass shocks. It’s Raptor-inspired hardware without committing fully to Raptor money.
How Serious Is the Performance Tech Underneath?
This is where it gets nerdy, in a good way. The Bronco RTR uses race-derived, software-controlled anti-lag turbo tech, keeping boost ready even when you lift off. In soft sand, that instant response is priceless. Cooling is equally serious. With a 1,000-watt fan picked straight from the Ford Bronco Raptor. Long, hot desert sessions won’t faze it.
Developed By Vaughn Gittin Jr?
The Bronco RTR wasn’t tuned by people who wear loafers to work. Ford worked closely with Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ultra4 legend Loren Healy, and the RTR off-road team during development. These are the sort of people who consider broken parts “useful feedback.” That mindset shows in how purpose-built the Bronco RTR feels.
What Are The Changes To Its Design & Styling?
The RTR grille, signature lighting, beadlock-capable RTR Evo 6 wheels, and unapologetic Hyper Lime accents ensure nobody mistakes this for a grocery run Bronco. Avalanche Gray paint, shared with the Ford Mustang RTR, ties it back to RTR’s motorsport roots.
Where Does The Bronco RTR Fit In The Lineup?
The Bronco RTR sits neatly between the Badlands Sasquatch and full Raptor madness. It delivers genuine high-speed off-road capability, motorsport-derived tech, and RTR attitude at a more approachable price point. After debuting at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, the Bronco RTR will head straight to the King of the Hammers off-road race in February before stopping off at other events throughout the year.
Which Extreme Bronco Would You Pick?
Ford Bronco DR
Ford Bronco RTR
Ford Bronco Raptor
