Aussie-developed Ford Bronco revealed at Monterey
Premcar helps create the ‘Porsche GT3’ of restomod off-roadersAussie engineering has helped to create the ultimate Ford Bronco restomod.
Premcar, the Melbourne-based automotive engineering and low-volume manufacturer that developed and builds the Nissan Navara and Patrol Warrior models, has confirmed its involvement in a high-tech, re-engineered version of the classic 1960s Ford Bronco by American company Gateway Bronco.
The Luxe-GT model was revealed today at The Quail Lodge during Monterey Car Week, where Gateway Bronco boasted it is “the equivalent of a Porsche GT3 for sport SUVs” and said it delivers performance on par with modern alternatives from brands like Range Rover, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
The Luxe-GT features developments that include 10 US patents to protect its design following a two-year development program by Premcar that included local desert testing.
“Gateway Bronco’s new LUXE-GT is more than a reimagined classic, it’s a new car,” said Premcar engineering director Bernie Quinn.
“The Premcar team has developed this high-performance platform to new-car standards using the same processes we apply when we develop new vehicles for global automakers.”
Key elements of the program undertaken by Premcar included the development of an all-new, stronger ladder-frame chassis with an extended wheelbase and wider front and rear track widths, upgraded suspension and the world-first inclusion (for restored Broncos), and subsequent tuning, of anti-skid brakes and both traction and stability control systems.
The Bronco Luxe-GT is powered by the latest Ford ‘Coyote’ 5.0-litre V8, matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive with a two-stage ‘shift-on-the-fly’ transfer case.
The new chassis will be built by RLE international in Michigan before the vehicle is constructed at Gateway Bronco’s facility in Illinois.
Pricing for the Luxe-GT will start at a cool $US400,000 ($A624,000).
Seth Burgett, Gateway Bronco’s president and CEO, said developing the new LUXE-GT necessitated world-class OEM know-how.
“The Premcar team has achieved remarkable results with this new chassis and suspension system,” he said.
“They’ve helped us reposition our classic-style LUXE-GT Bronco series into a new market realm. This is now a new car with classic style, not a classic car with new style.”
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