The Ford Bronco: Prototype Testing

Bronco Rides Again

Ford teams up with pro off-road racer Brad Lovell to test the Ford Bronco in Johnson Valley, located in the High Desert region of California.

The Ford experts are busy testing and proving out the all-new Bronco’s powertrain and rugged chassis, which is based on the company’s fully boxed, body-on-frame global T6 architecture, in an experimental prototype vehicle.

In the Mojave Desert’s Johnson Valley, home to such punishing motorsports series as King of the Hammers, the Bronco prototype is being pushed to its limits off road in grueling conditions, crawling up rocks and racing across sand.

Video | The Ford Bronco: Prototype Testing

With its growing lineup of rugged off-road trucks and SUVs, Ford is looking to promote its expanding portfolio of highly capable off-road vehicles by stepping up to sponsor more extreme motorsports competitions, including the 2020 King of The Hammers (KOH) and the ULTRA4 extreme off-road racing series.

“Working with ULTRA4 Racing and King of the Hammers is a natural for Ford based on our truck, SUV and off-road heritage,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Our participation in King of the Hammers builds on our rich history of off-roading by continuing to deliver on Built Ford Tough in the most demanding conditions.”

The King of The Hammers attracts approximately 75,000 spectators with more than 1 million online viewers to its grueling annual race in the Johnson Valley of California.

This year’s event, February 2-8, will see more than 450 teams from around the world – in both modified stock and extreme off-road vehicles – compete to be crowned king in one of the most grueling desert courses ever created combining high-speed racing with low-speed rock crawling.

“Our racers and spectators are as authentic and passionate as they come,” said Dave Cole, president, Hammerking Productions/ULTRA4 Racing. “Our dedicated staff, loyal fans and fearless racers have helped build this motorsport and lifestyle platform for more than a decade, and we couldn’t be more excited to get the 2020 racing season started with Ford as our official vehicle partner.”

Ford’s collaboration with ULTRA4 continues its growing presence in the off-road enthusiast realm. Recently, Ford stepped up to serve as official truck and SUV of SCORE-International Off-Road Racing, which holds the Baja 500, Baja 1000 and San Felipe 250 championships in Mexico. Ford also serves as official vehicle of the Best in the Desert race series.

The all-new sixth generation of America’s original “sports utility vehicle” makes its world premiere this spring.