Ford Bronco R to debut in Baja 1000: Here’s why everyone is looking at it
Archaeologists flock to the desert to study past civilizations, but this week, car fans will be focused on the Baja California for clues to the future: their first look at the eagerly anticipated 2021 Ford Bronco SUV that goes on sale next spring.
Ford hasn’t shown the production version of the new SUV yet, so prospective buyers will study every inch of the Bronco R racing prototype that was created specifically for the race:
— The long, louvered hood blockletter “Bronco” in a wide grille — Flat sides — Level roofline — Big wheel wells for off-road shocks and tires
The prototype has a clamshell hood and composite body. A hatch in the roof allows second-row passengers access.
Built alongside the popular Ranger midsize pickup at Ford’sWayne Assembly plant just west of company HQ in Dearborn, the new Bronco revives an SUV that won a cult following when it won the brutal Baja 1000 in 1969.
Like the 1969 Bronco that was the first and only 4x4 to take No. 1 overall at Baja, the Bronco R prototype also has four-wheel drive.
“Bronco’s win at Baja in 1969 was epic, something that even after 50 years has not been repeated,” Ford product development boss Hau ThaiTang said. “Rugged endurance racing is such a big part of Bronco heritage. The Baja 1000 gives us not only the perfect setting to honor Rod Hall’s win, it also provides an authentic test bed to demonstrate our upcoming Bronco’s desert racing capability and durability.”
Legendary off-road racer Rod Hall drove the first-generation Bronco to its No. 1 overall finish in 1969. His granddaughter Shelby will drive the Bronco R prototype with Baja 1000 Trophy Truck champion Cameron Steele in the 2019 race set for Nov. 19-24.
“My grandfather was so proud of the 1969 Baja race and of his Bronco,” Shelby Hall said. “More than just the memory of winning Baja, he loved that Bronco. I have no doubt he would be blown away by the Bronco R race prototype.” Rod Hall died in June at age 81. Ford describes the Bronco R as “heritage-inspired design and proportion hints of what enthusiasts can expect to see when the future Bronco makes its world premiere next spring.”
A design team in a secret basement studio at Ford’s product development center in Dearborn began work on the Bronco R’s appearance in July.
The racing prototype is built on a modified version of the T6 architecture that underpins the production Bronco and Ranger, undoubtedly reinforced to endure the punishment of racing through Baja’s sand and rock, including frequent leaps followed by bruising landings.
The independent front suspension has 14 inches of wheel travel, while the rear independent suspension delivers 18 inches.
New technology — hints of what may come under the skin of the new
Bronco — includes 15 LED light bars. Power comes from a twin-turbo engine, probably a V6. The Bronco has Fox racing shocks and 37-inch BF Goodrich tires.
The interior has three lightweight Recaro racing shell seats,
“Like the original Bronco, we kept Bronco R’s design authentic and simple, with a roll cage on a production-style frame, and a five-piece lightweight body on top,” said Brian Novak, Ford Performance off-road racing supervisor.
“For the endurance needs of Baja’s 1,000 grueling miles, we built in a limited number of race-focused parts. But even the twin turbos of the Ecoboost engine are representative of what the production Bronco will offer.”