V8-powered Ford Bronco DR revealed

300-plus kilowatts and hardcore off-road suspension meet Ford’s reborn four-wheel drive icon – but you won’t be able to drive this one on the road.

• 

Ford has revealed the V8-powered Bronco DR (Desert Racer) overnight, which is headlined by a 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 good for at least 298kW (400hp).

Destined for off-road use only, the first 50 examples of the Bronco DR (Desert Racer) will be available for sale in the US only in late 2022, with pricing set to be around $US250,000 ($AU330,000).

Ford plans to enter the Bronco DR into the gruelling Baja 1000, often regarded as one of the toughest off-road races in the world. It’s also a race where the Ford Bronco has history, winning in 1969, 1971 and 1972.

• 

  2022 Ford Bronco DR

• 

  2022 Ford Bronco DR

While the Ford Bronco DR starts life as a standard four-door Bronco, modifications and changes are extensive.

That V8 runs through Ford’s ’10R80′ 10-speed automatic transmission, similar to what you’ll find in a Ford Ranger or Mustang. Front are rear differentials are electronically lockable, and carry a ratio of 4.70:1.

To help deal with the extra power, Ford has used RCV front half-shafts (and CV joints) for additional strength.

37-inch (940mm) BF Goodrich KM3 mud-terrain tyres are mounted onto 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and the wheel track has grown to a massive 1872mm. That’s 162mm wider than a Ford Ranger Raptor.

Shock absorbers used for the Ford Bronco DR come from Canadian company Multimatic, something that has been seen on many General Motors vehicles over the years.

• 

  Ford Bronco DR suspension

• 

  2022 Ford Bronco DR jumping

This suspension uses an innovative Spool Valve system to control oil flow in the 80-millimetre shock absorber body, improving control during off-road driving.

These dampers – combined with billet aluminium lower control arms – offer more than 50 per cent improved articulation compared to a standard Bronco Badlands, with 442mm at the rear and 401mm at the front.

All of these components sit underneath resin transfer-moulded (RTM) fibreglass body panels which are unique to the Bronco DR.

Inside, frivolities like air conditioning and doors are removed, while a Mutimatic rollcage is added for improved driver safety.

• 

  2022 Ford Bronco DR interior

• 

  2022 Ford Bronco DR

“Bronco DR is our ultimate turnkey off-road racing SUV, engineered to put enthusiasts behind the wheel of a desert racing force,” said Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance Motorsports global director.

“This collaboration between Ford Performance and Multimatic continues the Bronco desert racing legacy that dates back to Rod Hall and Larry Minor’s never-repeated overall Baja 1000 win in a stock Bronco in 1969.”

“This is a ground-up build, which is a bit unique in itself,” Rushbrook continued.

“At the heart of what we did here was capture the enthusiasm surrounding Bronco, and then build on it by creating a desert racer that is competition-ready coming out of the factory – something Ford has never done before.”

As reported previously by Drive, Ford Australia currently has no plans to introduce the Ford Bronco to the local market. This is despite the fact that the Bronco shares an Australian-developed ‘T6’ platform with the likes of the Ranger and Everest.

The post V8-powered Ford Bronco DR revealed appeared first on Drive.