Ford made a powerful statement at its hometown event this week, demonstrating that high-performance vehicles can take dramatically different forms. At the 2026 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker unveiled two new enthusiast-focused models: the rugged, desert-ready Ford Bronco RTR and the precision-engineered Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC. These reveals underscore Ford's continued commitment to building emotionally charged, capability-driven vehicles for passionate drivers.
The Bronco RTR: Born in the Desert
The new Bronco RTR is the product of Ford's deepening collaboration with champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his company, RTR Vehicles. This partnership, forged in the fires of Formula Drift and Ultra4 racing, has now been applied to Ford's iconic off-road SUV. The vehicle was developed and tested in the harsh deserts of California and Mexico with a clear goal: to deliver competition-inspired, high-speed off-road capability directly from the factory.
This approach allows buyers to avoid the complexity and cost of aftermarket modifications or stepping up to the ultra-expensive Bronco Raptor. In its standard configuration, the Bronco RTR comes equipped with 33-inch rugged-terrain tires and a new high-clearance suspension—a first for the Bronco family.
For those seeking even greater capability, the available Sasquatch package adds serious hardware: 35-inch Goodyear tires, a sophisticated HOSS 3.0 suspension system with Fox shock absorbers, and reinforced steering components. The package is rounded out with race-derived anti-lag turbo software and the massive 1,000-watt cooling fan from the Bronco Raptor, creating a machine built to maintain speed and control in unpredictable terrain.
Purposeful Design and Strategic Positioning
Visually, the Bronco RTR asserts its unique identity. It features the distinctive RTR grille and signature lighting, accented with Hyper Lime details on the graphics and Evo 6 wheels. The body is finished in Avalanche Gray paint, a colour first seen on the Ford Mustang RTR late last year. The look is purposeful and aggressive, signaling this SUV is meant for active driving, not just casual errands.
"At RTR, one of our taglines is 'Available to all, not for everyone,'" said Vaughn Gittin Jr. at the vehicle's reveal. "What that means is unapologetically being us and knowing that we build the things we love... there's going to be people that resonate with it and others that don't—and being totally fine with that. That is in the DNA of the Bronco RTR."
In the Canadian market, where Ford currently offers seven core Bronco models, the RTR slots above mainstream trims. Its intent overlaps with the capable Badlands model, especially when equipped with the Sasquatch package, but it remains distinctly below the extreme and costly Bronco Raptor. Ford has hinted at a starting price lower than a Badlands model with the Sasquatch package, aiming for a balance of performance and value for buyers seeking genuine desert-running ability. Orders open later this year, with first deliveries expected in Canada in early 2027.
The Mustang Dark Horse SC: Engineered for the Track
If the Bronco RTR is built for dust and dunes, the Mustang Dark Horse SC is engineered for lap times and endurance. Developed by Ford Racing using knowledge gained from the Mustang GT3, GT4, and GTD racing programs, the SC (Supercharged) variant represents the most track-capable Dark Horse ever produced.
Power comes from a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering a significant boost over the standard Dark Horse's 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. The chassis has been comprehensively reworked with next-generation MagneRide dampers, firmer springs, revised suspension geometry, and steering hardware tuned for maximum precision and driver feedback.
The optional Track Pack transforms the Dark Horse SC into a serious track-day weapon. It includes carbon-fibre wheels, bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, a Variable Traction Control system derived from the GTD, and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes for superior thermal capacity and reduced weight. Aerodynamic upgrades, like a vented aluminum hood and a ducktail-style rear deck lid, contribute to a claimed 620 pounds of rear downforce at 290 km/h.
"At the heart of this vehicle, really, is the engineering mastery that we gained at the track," said Arie Groeneveld, chief program engineer at Ford Racing. "We wanted to offer the customer a true race-bred V8 option, then really improve aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics."
Inside, the cabin takes cues from the racing-focused GTD with a flat-bottom steering wheel, Alcantara and carbon-fibre trim, optional Recaro seats, and the option to delete the rear seat with the Track Pack. Personalization will be extensive, capped by limited-run Track Pack Special Editions featuring GTD-derived titanium accents.
Positioned above the standard Dark Horse in the five-model Canadian Mustang lineup (excluding the GTD), the Dark Horse SC remains more attainable in both price and production numbers than the ultra-exclusive GTD. While pricing is not yet announced, the extensive hardware suggests a meaningful premium. The Mustang Dark Horse SC is expected to arrive in Canada in the summer of 2026.
A Dual Strategy for Performance Enthusiasts
Together, the 2027 Ford Bronco RTR and the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC represent a strategic doubling down on emotional, capability-driven performance vehicles. One is engineered to thrive in the dusty expanse of the desert, the other to dominate the paved precision of a race track. Both vehicles reinforce that Ford remains committed to building machines for drivers who push them to their limits, proving that performance, indeed, does not mean just one thing.
