The name of the special-edition Bronco that Ford just dropped is a mouthful. It’s called the Bronco Off-Roadeo: Arches Project Vehicle. I mean, they could call it the BORAPV, right?
It would make about as much sense, but the reason for the extended dance-mix moniker is that it’s a tribute to Moab, Utah, home to plenty of off-road-focused specialty vehicles. But that wasn’t enough, so Ford threw in Arches National Park—where you absolutely cannot drive off-road. Here are some deets on the new BORAPV (rolls right off the tongue, right?).
There’s A Cliffhanger Project Vehicle, Too
Yeah, we forgot that part. The Cliffhanger Project is the two-door version. Both of the Broncos are built with the starting point of the very capable, $50,095, Ford Bronco Badlands. The duo ride on 40-inch BFGoodrich Baja T/A Evo 3.0S tires and are suspended with Fox Live Valve shocks. The T/As replace the stock 33-inch all-terrain stock tires, and the stock wheels are swapped for 18-inch beadlock-capable Method wheels. Ford revised the fenders and wheel arches to make room for the larger tires. Ground clearance isn’t listed, but we’d guess it’s up to about 9.2 inches from the stock 8.8 inches. The Fox shocks supplant the stock HOSS 2.0 Suspension and its Bilstein dampers.
Okay, You Can Drive Around Arches
Ford used the Cliffhanger name because it’s the name of a nearby goat path that’s south of Moab, and that snakes by some petroglyphs (ancient rock art painting; as in, on rocks, not rock and roll!) that inspired the Bronco design team when they wrapped these rigs.
Both are skinned in a matte protective film that’s similar to the factory-applied matte clear film Ford already uses, and the coating includes both matte and metallic layers. Ford says that the metallic shade offers layers of color and iridescent qualities that are similar to how their Shelter Green hue bounces when you get it on your Raptor. Ford experimented a bunch with these colors, for instance, on past Mustangs.
Ford also colored the roof rails orange, as a nod to the stone arches of Arches National Park.
FYI, You Need To Get Out There!
Ford is really throwing down some cred where Jeep is basically the king of the landscape, since Jeep usually debuts models and concepts at Moab every single year. Ford wants a piece of that action, and as part of their drop, they’re making sure buyers know that any purchase of a Bronco, Bronco Sport, or Bronco Raptor model, includes a course with the Off-Roadeo Experience school, which teaches 101 skills to owners of Ford 4x4s. PSST!! You don’t need to own a Bronco, but we didn’t tell you that.
- These two unique Broncos are Ford’s way to take on Jeep’s Moab tradition.
- Buying a Bronco comes with Ford’s Off-Roadeo Experience school.
- The Bronco Off-Roadeo: Aches and Off-Roadeo: Cliffhanger Project will be presented at the Bronco Stampede in August.
If you happen to be in Moab this week, both the Bronco Off-Roadeo: Arches and Off-Roadeo: Cliffhanger Project rigs will be at the Bronco Stampede from August 15 to 16. Ford is also offering ride-and-drives at their dealership in tow and Bronco Nation is also hosting trail drives.
TopSpeed’s Take
We have no word on whether Ford will sell either of these option packages, but these are very mild changes to the Badlands. Right now you have to step up to the Sasquatch package if you want to clamber above 10 inches of ground clearance in your Bronco. So, perhaps this offers an intermediate rung on the ladder for buyers who want to look at the off-road part a bit more than the stock Badlands offers. But we’re hedging on whether Ford wants to sell a tire with a painted sidewall; though you can add them and skip the Bronco if you like!
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