Ford is filling in the gap between standard Bronco trims and the range-topping Raptor with a new off-road-focused model built in partnership with RTR Vehicles. The 2027 Ford Bronco RTR is aimed at buyers who want serious trail hardware and aggressive styling without stepping all the way up to Raptor money, with orders opening in October and first deliveries expected in January 2027.
A Different Engine, By Design
Ford hasn’t released pricing yet, but the Bronco RTR is widely expected to land below the Raptor’s roughly $80,000 starting point, positioning it as a more accessible way into the upper tier of Bronco performance. Part of how Ford gets there is under the hood: instead of the Raptor’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, the RTR runs Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder. That choice ties partly to weight considerations, but it also keeps clear daylight between the RTR and the flagship Raptor. Even without the bigger engine, the turbocharged four-cylinder is a proven performer elsewhere in the Bronco lineup and still delivers the responsiveness off-road driving demands.
Serious Off-Road Hardware, With Room To Go Further
Standard equipment includes 33-inch mud-terrain tires paired with a high-clearance suspension setup built to handle uneven terrain and give the SUV a more aggressive stance right out of the gate. Buyers wanting more can step up to the Sasquatch package, which brings 35-inch Goodyear rugged-terrain tires and additional suspension upgrades, including Ford’s HOSS 3.0 suspension system with Fox internal bypass shocks designed to absorb large impacts and hold their composure at high off-road speeds. That combination pushes the RTR noticeably closer to Raptor-level capability while keeping it on a distinctly different mechanical platform underneath.
Motorsport Tech Borrowed From The Mustang
RTR’s influence goes beyond suspension parts. The Bronco RTR gains a turbo anti-lag system for the 2.3-liter EcoBoost, a software-controlled setup that maintains turbo boost pressure even when the driver lifts off the throttle, cutting lag and sharpening throttle response the moment the accelerator is pressed again. It’s technology normally associated with racing applications where instant responsiveness matters more than anything else, and it isn’t new to this partnership — the same anti-lag system previously appeared on the Mustang EcoBoost RTR, which shares the same turbocharged engine platform.
The RTR also borrows directly from its bigger sibling: a high-capacity 1,000-watt cooling fan originally developed for the Bronco Raptor carries over to help manage heat during demanding off-road driving, giving the smaller-engined RTR some of the thermal management hardware that keeps the Raptor’s turbo V6 happy under sustained abuse.
Styling That Doesn’t Hide What It Is
Visually, the Bronco RTR gets its own appearance package rather than settling for a purely cosmetic special edition badge. Hyper Lime accents contrast sharply against the available Avalanche Gray paint, echoing the styling language Ford and RTR already used on the Mustang EcoBoost RTR collaboration. Combined with the larger tires and taller suspension stance, the overall look reinforces that this Bronco is built around genuine performance intent rather than just an appearance package layered onto a standard trim.
Why Ford Is Filling This Gap Now
RTR Vehicles has been closely tied to Ford performance projects for years, particularly in drifting and enthusiast-focused builds, and bringing that partnership into the Bronco lineup lets Ford borrow RTR’s performance credibility while widening the SUV’s appeal among off-road enthusiasts. Since its return to the market, the Bronco has already reestablished itself as one of Ford’s most recognizable nameplates, and the RTR gives the brand another factory-backed option for buyers who want real trail capability but don’t need the full power — or the full price tag — of the Raptor.
Orders open in October, when Ford is expected to release final pricing and availability details, with first customer deliveries planned for January 2027. Until then, the Bronco RTR stands as the newest addition to Ford’s expanding performance SUV lineup, aimed squarely at buyers who want serious off-road hardware without needing to reach Raptor territory to get it.
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