The Ford Bronco DR was just unveiled earlier this week, a car that may not have been on the radar of many, but coming with a bunch of very cool features. The DR (Desert Racer) is actually a surprise brought out by the Dearborn manufacturer, that shows what the Bronco platform is capable of, if you’re bold enough.
So, what exactly are we looking at here? This could be viewed as the Ford Bronco Raptor we’re never going to get, only in much smaller numbers. Ford will only make 50 of these Bronco DR models, and the starting price kicks off at around $250,000. That’s only an estimation, as Ford didn’t release an official price just yet.
Under the hood of the Bronco DR you’ll find a 5-liter V8 borrowed from the Mustang, making ‘at least’ 400 HP according to the blue oval representatives, hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The suspension has also been heavily reworked and now features Multimatic DSSV dampers with 80-milimeter bodies and Multimatic-designed billet aluminum lower control arms. That should give the Bronco DR 55.1% more suspension travel in the front and 58.6 in the back, compared to a Bronco Badlands model.
That said, the approach and departure angles have also been drastically increased. Up front you can charge at angles of up to 47 degrees, while going down slopes, the DR can take up to 37 degrees, with a 33-degree breakover angle. Of course, in order to have any grip in the desert, you’ll also get 37-inch Mud-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich.
Inside the cabin you’ll notice a full safety cage with a pair of racing seats awaiting. No rom in the back for passengers, as this will be quite a bumpy ride. Furthermore, the space was needed for other items, like a full-size spare and additional cooling. There’s a Motec C187 display available up front along with other gear to help you on your way.
While the car will go on sale, the heavy modifications done to it make it illegal on public roads. Nevertheless, this was designed to run in the desert and that’s where it will be at home. In order to prove it, Ford will enter the Bronco DR in the 2022 Baja 1000.
