The retro-cool Ford 4WD Australia needs! Ford Ranger and Everest-based Bronco goes hardcore off-roading with new special edition in the US

Ford has pulled out all the stops with its new Baja-inspired Bronco four-wheel drive.

The Ford Bronco 4WD is the missing triplet in Ford Australia’s line-up, as it is built on the same underpinnings as the current Ranger and Everest.

The new Bronco Stroppe Special Edition pays tribute to the Baja 1000-winning cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The three-door four-wheel drive features retro-cool paintwork in orange, white and blue paired with a matte black bonnet to reduce glare. A spare tyre pinned to the cargo door complements its tough persona.

This is paired with the Bronco’s retro design with the boxy shape and circular headlights joined by big block 'BRONCO' lettering on the front grille.

It comes standard with the Sasquatch package that includes big time off-road upgrades such as a lift kit, uprated suspension and 17-inch wheels wrapped big 35-inch off-road tyres among other items. 

This is paired with the Bronco’s G.O.A.T modes, which doesn’t stand for Greatest Of All Time but Goes Over Any Terrain.

These modes include a range of terrain-specific calibrations including mud/ruts, slippery, sand/snow, rock crawl and Baja.

Power comes from a 2.7-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine making 235kW and 556Nm.

There is also special branding inside and out to commemorate the original racer.

Until now the Bronco has been off the menu for Australian motorists but Ford’s boss Jim Farley told UK’s Car magazine recently that the Blue Oval was getting out of the boring car business in Europe and wanted more “opinionated” cars.

The brand is moving away from passenger cars such as the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo and it has cracked the door open for rough and tumble machines like the bronco to hit the beaches of Europe.

If the Bronco launches in the UK then Australia wouldn’t be far behind, especially considering our love of off-roaders.