Illinois-based Gateway Bronco is bringing the primary technology of Ford’s emblematic off-roader into the twenty first century. The corporate unveiled a resto-modded Bronco known as Luxe-GT that appears similar to the unique mannequin however encompasses a lengthy record of complete mechanical updates.
Developed and examined in Australia, the Luxe-GT seems virtually precisely just like the Jeep CJ rival that Ford launched for the 1966 mannequin yr when considered from the skin. Eagle-eyed car-spotters will discover that it wears fashionable LED headlights, a new-look entrance bumper, and flares on the wheel arches. It is a fully completely different story beneath the physique, the place practically each part has been redesigned to 2023 requirements.
Whereas the modern-day Bronco is not accessible with a V8, the Luxe-GT is solely provided with eight cylinders. Energy comes from a 5.0-liter V8 sourced from the Ford components bin and bolted to a 10-speed computerized transmission. That is the identical engine you may discover within the F-150, amongst different automobiles. It spins the 4 wheels by way of a full-time all-wheel-drive system, and Gateway Bronco notes that it designed the Luxe-GT with efficiency it thoughts. “We take into account it to be equal to the Porsche [911] GT3 for sport SUVs,” the corporate boldly claimed in a press release.
Hitting 60 mph from a cease takes 5.3 seconds, a determine which places the Luxe-GT in the identical league as fashionable scorching hatches like Volkswagen’s Golf GTI. For context, the straight-six-powered 1966 Bronco accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 21.2 seconds, in line with Motor Development.
Dealing with wasn’t one of many unique Bronco’s principal promoting factors, and it seems like an incredible quantity of labor went into the Luxe-GT. It is constructed on a brand new chassis that is stiffer than the unique truck’s, its physique has been structurally strengthened, and it affords crumple zones on each ends. Gateway Bronco notes that it additionally lowered the SUV’s heart of gravity. Driving aids reminiscent of digital stability management, anti-lock brakes, and digital traction management ought to be sure that the Luxe-GT drives like a current-day SUV quite than like a classic off-roader.
It ought to really feel like a contemporary automotive from the driving force’s seat, too. The record of accessible options features a push-button ignition, an Apple CarPlay-compatible touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear-view digital camera. Gentle-close doorways and a soft-close tailgate are provided as properly.
The catch? Pricing begins at $400,000 excluding choices, so the Luxe-GT lands in the identical value bracket as many supercars. Manufacturing is proscribed to 25 models a yr, and Gateway Bronco notes that it has already taken 12 orders since unveiling the Luxe-GT in Monterey, California.
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