Here’s a glimpse of Ford Bronco R race prototype

The Ford Bronco R race prototype has been spotted testing that also sheds clues about the design of the upcoming Bronco SUV, which is likely to debut next year. The Bronco R race prototype has been built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bronco’s Baja 1000 victory. 

The Bronco shown in the images reveal that it will come with a compressed version of the T6 platform, which forms the basis for the Ford Everest and the Ford Ranger. The Bronco prototype has been spotted in Australia, while the SUV will be produced in the US.

The Bronco SUV might come with a canvas roll-top roof according to a patent filing Ford did earlier this year. Some other patents by Ford revealed that the company is working on tubular removable doors, airbag and restraint systems to meet the needs of new door configurations. 

Paul Wraith, Bronco’s Chief Designer, is also the head of Bronco R project, who along with his small team completed the project in about six months leaving design clues for the world about the upcoming Bronco SUV. However, both the vehicles, Bronco R and Bronco SUV will not share any body panels. Bronco R has been produced with the help of polygon modelling, virtual reality and 3D printing technique owing to the stringent deadline.

The Bronco R will be a part of Baja 1000 race, which is a 1000-mile race scheduled to happen later this month in Mexico. The car will be put to extreme tests there to validate its chassis and powertrain. Usually, Baja racers use a tubular chassis, while Ford Bronco R uses a modified version of T6 platform. 

The supervisor of Ford Performance division, Brian Novak had mentioned in a statement that the production Bronco will have twin-turbo EcoBoost engine. Currently, the F-150 is available with a twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 329 PS and 542 Nm of power and torque respectively. The Ford Raptor, on the other hand, also has the same engine with performance rated at 490 PS and 691 Nm.

Aesthetically, the Bronco R features LED light bars, 17-inch alloys that are wrapped by 37-inch BF Goodrich tyres, Fox shocks, three seats and a full racing roll cage. The body of Bronco R is made up of composite materials, fastened with washers. The Bronco R race prototype rides on an independent front suspension with 355 mm of travel and a five-link rear suspension unit with up to 457 mm of travel. 

The new Bronco SUV will take on the likes of the Jeep Wrangler. The reports coming out also suggest that the Bronco SUV will be offered in three-door as well as five-door versions, just like the Wrangler. 

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