Everything about the 2027 Ford Bronco Filson revealed earlier this month screams premium and luxury. Ford describes the special edition as “We thought about it in terms of decades. An SUV so timeless, rugged, and capable that it makes lifelong memories with friends and family — something you build a life around, and one day hand down.” The Filson is designed to last for a long time and still be relevant. Much like the old Jeep Wranglers and Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40s. Ford has had a huge hit with the Ford Bronco and has developed several different trim levels. It makes one wonder if there is a demand for a Lincoln version.
The 2027 Bronco Filson
Ford says, “Customers asked us to create a Bronco that takes premium materials, driving experience, and off-road capability to a new level. One that matches the very best gear in their kit. Bronco Filson is the answer to that question.” The Filson is the highest level trim package for the 6th-generation Ford Bronco. It was created in partnership with the outdoor outfitter Filson. It smooths out some of the Bronco’s rougher edges to give a smoother ride, while still providing great off-road capability.
The Bronco Filson comes with a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that’s shared with Bronco Raptor and has been refined with tuning specific to Bronco Filson. While Ford did not release horsepower figures for the Filson, the Ford Bronco Raptor produces 418 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque.
Filson was founded in 1897 to outfit prospectors headed to Alaska to seek their fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush. Seattle was the launching point for those expeditions, and Filson is still based there today. Ford based the Bronco Filson interior on similar principles. The interior includes quilted leather that is designed to wear in with hard use, not wear out. The dash is wrapped in leather, not pieced together. Other interior materials are durable, not merely decorative. There are saddle bags in the doors, and in the triangle of the rear sport bars.
The bags are designed to be loaded up with tools, gear, water bottles, whatever, and when you get where you’re going, you just grab the whole thing and head out. These Filson-inspired bags are made from water- and dirt-resistant materials. Ford replaced the snap buttons with magnets to make them easier to remove.
Ford Added Premium Touches to the Bronco Raptor Powertrain
The Bronco Filson builds off the Bronco Sasquatch package. The Filson has 35-inch tires, front and rear lockers and GOAT (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes. Ford also custom-tuned the piggyback reservoir Fox shocks for a combination of off-road capability and on-road ride quality.
Ford also added running boards that can deploy automatically when you park, so you can step in rather than up. And there’s a rearview mirror that’s connected to a camera on the tailgate, so it still works when you’re fully packed with gear.
Ford Reduced Wind Noise to Make the Filson Feel More Luxurious
The Filson edition still allows drivers to remove the roof and doors if they wish. However, when the Filson is buttoned up with the roof on and the windows up, it is much quieter than the average Bronco. There’s less wind noise, and less road noise. Ford says it has reduced the perceived wind noise nearly 20% versus the 2021 Bronco.
Does Ford Need a Lincoln Off-Roader?
In describing the 2027 Bronco Filson, Ford has given the Filson many of the attributes usually reserved for Lincoln. More powerful, quieter, luxurious and premium. Is there room for a Lincoln version? Chevrolet and GMC have maintained similar versions of GM’s off-roading SUVs and trucks, with GMC always having the upper hand when it comes to luxury appointments. Chevrolet has its ZR2 trim level with huge tires and off-roading prowess, while GMC has its AT4 off-roading version. The Lincoln versions of other Ford models usually come with a significant price upgrade. Do you think the off-roading market would support a Lincoln version of the Bronco? Or should Ford keep the Bronco as its one-of-a-kind vehicle like the Mustang?
Image by Ford
About the Author
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.
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