But Ford knows there’s a younger demographic – under 34, to be specific – who is Ready To Rock and looking for capabilities that at least approach that of the Raptor, but for less money. Meet the 2027 Ford Bronco RTR, which was conceived and executed with input from champion drifter and off-roader Vaughn Gittin Jr., who led the development of the Ford Mustang RTR.
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4 cyl. Borrowed from Mustang
The biggest difference between the two vehicles is under the hood. While the Bronco Raptor uses a 418-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, the Bronco RTR 4×4 uses a version of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo engine found in the standard 315-hp Mustang.
Ford isn’t ready to reveal the official state of this engine for the Bronco RTR, but there was a murmur of 310 horsepower from a Ford product planner.
Details to trickle down
Many details (such as torque, curb weight, price and other specs) are still to come for the Bronco RTR in what promises to be a long, drawn-out product reveal that will take much of 2026 to build anticipation for potential buyers.
Expect the 2027 Bronco RTR to be available for order later in October, with first deliveries in January 2027.
Ford planned to unveil this high-performance off-roader tonight at the Detroit Auto Show, where it will be on display on the show floor during public days, January 17 to 25 at Huntington Place in Detroit.
0-60 MPH in 6 or 7 seconds?
So how fast will the Bronco RTR go? You’ll have to wait for Ford to trickle out more information. But for context, a Bronco Raptor with a larger engine has been clocked from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and is electronically limited to 112 mph. Expect a little less from the RTR variant.
This Bronco also gives Ford more ammunition in its battle with Jeep for the hearts and souls of dedicated off-roaders. The 2026 Jeep Wrangler Moab 392, with a base price of $80,000, offers a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that can propel this Jeep to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.
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Borrow Raptor’s cooling fan
Ford beefed up the Bronco RTR’s steering and added software-controlled “anti-lag turbo technology” to improve throttle response and actually maintain turbo boost when the driver accelerates to handle terrain. Additionally, the Bronco Raptor borrows its race-proven 1,000-watt cooling fan to help the RTR withstand extreme temperatures.
Ford says the Bronco RTR comes standard with a wider track and high-clearance suspension, while the available Sasquatch package offers more options with standard Fox shocks and 35-inch Goodyear tires (33-inchers are standard). Ford says the Hoss 3.0 package, which was exclusive to the Bronco Badlands series, “provides the highest level of suspension performance available without stepping up from the Bronco Raptor.”
Bronco Raptor is 25 centimeters wider
One spec Ford shared: The Bronco Raptor is a whopping 10 inches wider overall than the Bronco RTR, making it more agile in tight spaces. Running boards are optional.
Hyper Lime accents – nicely offset by the calming Avalanche Gray paint – are featured extensively and will make the Bronco RTR more visible through thick clouds of desert dust and sand. You’ll notice the lime accents on the grille, tailgate and hood trim and in the body graphics and rock rings of the 17-inch Evo6 beadlock wheels.
RTR is ‘not for everyone’
The interior of the Bronco RTR is one of the details that Ford is withholding for the time being. The doors were locked during media briefings ahead of the auto show, suggesting there’s enough flash, sizzle and new functionality to warrant a standalone release spotlighting the interior in the coming months.
Ford is making its motivation quite clear with the Bronco RTR: “off-road performance, style and attitude at high speed,” while realizing that this adrenaline-fueled experience is “not for everyone” but available to everyone.
Johnson Valley Topography
This Bronco variant pays tribute to Johnson Valley, California, east of Los Angeles, a vast stretch of sand and rock in the Mojave Desert that attracts extreme off-roaders or spectators to watch King of the Hammers or tackle challenging trails like Sledgehammer and Back Door in UTVs, Jeeps, dirt bikes and more than a few Broncos. Military training also takes place here. Johnson Valley’s topography is prominently featured in the graphics spread across the Bronco RTR.
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To celebrate his 60th birthday, Ford is throwing a party of sorts; a new limited edition. Meet the 2026 Bronco 60th Anniversary Edition.
Priced below Badlands Sasquatch
Pricing will follow later this year, but Bronco brand manager Haley Skiko provides some key guidance: “We’ll deliver Raptor-inspired high-speed capability at a lower starting price than Badlands Sasquatch.” That model starts around $57,000.
Tariff watchers will be happy to know that Ford builds all two- and four-door Broncos, including Raptor and the soon-to-be RTR, at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
The Bronco RTR will be Ready To Rock thrill seekers at King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley and other off-road events next month.
Source: Ford
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