Ford’s relationship with off-road racing runs deep, from Bill Stroppe prepping early Broncos for Parnelli Jones at the Baja 1000 to modern Raptor domination at King of the Hammers. Now, partnering with Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s RTR Vehicles for the second time, the Blue Oval is bringing that championship-winning lineage to a wider audience with the 2027 Bronco RTR, giving you the chance to get a high-speed desert runner without having to spend Raptor money.
Factory-Built, Desert-Tested
What started as an upfitter relationship has evolved into a full production model rolling off Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. The RTR was developed and validated in Johnson Valley over 96,000 acres of sand, rock, and whoops. Working alongside two-time King of the Hammers champion Loren Healy, Ford engineered this four-door exclusively around the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four paired with a 10-speed automatic. A lighter front end means better balance and sharper response when the terrain gets serious, making the truck more flickable through dunes rather than just plowing into them.
The 2.3-liter gets race-derived anti-lag software that keeps the turbo spooled even when you lift off the throttle, which prevents soft sand washes from bogging you down. There’s also the Raptor’s 1,000-watt cooling fan to manage temperatures during longer desert runs.
Two Configurations
Standard RTRs come with high-clearance suspension, Bilstein shocks, and 33-inch all-terrain tires — a combo never before offered on a factory Bronco. RTR’s Evo 6 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels widen the track by roughly two inches to match Sasquatch-equipped models, improving stability without the full package cost. Speaking of which, checking the Sasquatch option gets you 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs and Ford’s HOSS 3.0 suspension with Fox internal-bypass dampers. Previously exclusive to Badlands trims with stacked options, this setup is now available right out of the gate on the RTR.
Other Raptor-inspired hardware includes the beefier steering rack and tie rods designed to handle some punishment. Ford also borrowed the Heritage Edition’s squared-off fenders and created a unique grille with RTR signature lighting.
Hyper Lime or Stealth Mode
The Bronco RTR’s Hyper Lime accents and topographic graphics inspired by Johnson Valley’s terrain are hard to miss, but Ford offers four appearance packages if you’d rather dial back the flash. A new Avalanche Gray paint option debuts on the RTR as well, alongside most of the standard Bronco palette.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2027 Ford Bronco RTR (Four-Door Only)
Engine: 2.3L EcoBoost Turbo I-4
Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic
Standard Tires: 33-inch All-Terrain; 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT (Sasquatch Package)
Suspension: High-Clearance (Standard); HOSS 3.0 with Fox Internal-Bypass Dampers (Sasquatch)
Wheels: RTR Evo 6 17-inch Beadlock-Capable
Pricing & Availability
Ford hasn’t released exact pricing yet but promises the RTR will undercut the Badlands Sasquatch, which currently starts around $52,500. Orders open in October 2026, with first deliveries hitting in January 2027. The RTR makes its public debut at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show and will appear at King of the Hammers in February.
Recap
2027 Ford Bronco RTR
The 2027 Ford Bronco RTR is basically Ford and Vaughn Gittin Jr. bringing high-speed desert performance to people who can’t swing Raptor money. You get the good stuff like anti-lag tech, Fox shocks (if you opt for Sasquatch), and that lighter 2.3-liter turbo four that makes the truck more playful in the dunes. Orders open in October with deliveries starting January 2027, and it’ll undercut the Badlands Sasquatch price while still giving you serious off-road capability straight from the factory.
