Fans Want Ford to Move Up the 2027 Ford Bronco RTR But It's Still Planned for Early 2027

Bronco Nation held a webinar this week about the newly revealed 2027 Ford Bronco RTR and the overwhelming impression is that fans can’t wait to get into a more affordable but high-performance version of the Bronco. As I recently reported, Ford uses what it learns from its off-road racing programs to build better vehicles. Ford is really going after the off-road market with Bronco Raptors, F-150 Raptors and Ranger Raptors, emphasizing their capable performance out on the trails. The 2027 Ford Bronco RTR will add some of the Raptor’s capability but at a more affordable price allowing younger buyers the chance to experience more extreme terrain. Ford still says orders will open this fall and Bronco RTRs will be available early in 2027.

2027 Ford Bronco RTR

The RTR version of the popular Bronco is being developed by Ford and RTR, the performance company founded by off-road racer Vaughn Gittin Jr. The name stands for Ready To Rock. Gitten is a drift and off-road racing champion. Up until now, you had to have RTR packages added as aftermarket accessories. The 2027 Bronco RTR models will come straight from the factory as RTR packages. This is important because Ford is bundling some of the most important accessories for a lower price, but also the improvements will be covered under the Bronco’s factory warranty. Affordability is a huge factor, buyers will be able to build the often-expensive upgrades into the overall purchase price and spread them over their auto loan, rather than having to pay an outfitter the entire cost upfront. Ford isn’t saying how much the Bronco RTR will cost and it still isn’t listed on the company’s pricing page. They do say that it will start with the more affordable Big Bend model and add several key Raptor features. It will definitely be priced lower than the Bronco Raptor which currently starts at $79,995.

The Bronco RTR is designed to focus on the kind of high-speed desert performance that’s traditionally belonged to the Stroppe and Raptor. It has a high-clearance suspension and standard 33-inch tires, which is even better than the Raptor. This combination is a first for the Bronco providing off-road capability that’s distinct from other Bronco models. That engineering pays off the second you hit the dirt, where the suspension gives you the confidence to stay on the throttle.

“You know it’s going to be an absolute blast to drive before you even get behind the wheel.” Said Loren Healy, off-road racing champion who works with Gittin. 

“Bronco has great racing heritage to take inspiration from, and Raptor has blazed a trail in high-speed off-roading that customers love. We kept those things in mind with Bronco RTR,” Healy said.

“But we know that some performance enthusiasts can’t necessarily afford a Bronco Raptor. That was our brief developing Bronco RTR: Find a sweet spot for high-speed off-road performance and make it a great value for thrill-seeking Bronco owners. It sits in a really unique place in the Bronco lineup.”

2027 Bronco RTR Will Have Available Upgrades

For those who want to push even harder, Ford will offer the Sasquatch package for the RTR. They are including the HOSS 3.0 suspension with FOX Internal Bypass Dampers as standard equipment if you add the Sasquatch. Ford wanted to cut through the red tape and give RTR drivers the best damping, so they can handle the big hits without bottoming out.

“It's a very stout-looking vehicle — bigger tires and more suspension and bigger shocks,” Healy said. “You can automatically see the attitude of the vehicle is very capable.”

The 2027 Bronco RTR will have four doors and a 2.3-Liter EcoBoost engine. They chose the smaller Ecoboost to keep it lighter and more affordable. Off-road, especially in sand, a lighter front end makes the Bronco more agile. It maneuvers over the sand rather than digging into it, making it feel more like a desert runner than a traditional rock crawler. 

The off-roaders stole an important feature from the Raptor for the RTR. Knowing that any vehicle can overheat when caught in high heat and too much sand, they upgraded the RTR with the 1,000-watt cooling fan from the Bronco Raptor. And then they  added RTR’s software-operated, race-derived anti-lag system. It gives Bronco RTR the instant thrust it needs to power out of potential problems out on the trails. 

Bronco RTR is Designed to Stand Out on the Trails

“It’s bright and loud. It stands out,” Healy said, highlighting the available Hyper Lime accents and vibrant graphics.

A new grille with RTR signature lighting, Bronco RTR-specific Evo 6 wheels, and heritage-inspired wheel arches give the RTR an updated look. Healy stresses that RTR is building on the Ford Raptor’s pedigree, not taking anything away from it. 

“It’s the same approach Ford took developing the Bronco Raptor, but with that added RTR approach to performance and style. It's a well-built vehicle. We really did our homework to give people a vehicle they know will survive whatever they put it through. Because it survived everything we put it through in Johnson Valley.”

The biggest problem for Bronco fans right now is they have to wait until early 2027 to get the RTR. People who were on the Bronco Nation webinar are hoping Ford hears their pleas and makes the RTR available sooner. 

Ford Photo

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.

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