Saleen has been successfully tuning the Ford Mustang and Ford F-150 for years, and now the famed California-based tuner-turned-automaker has turned its sights to the 2021 Ford Bronco. The just-announced Saleen Ford Bronco will build on the all-new SUV to make a Baja-capable desert runner.
The Saleen Bronco will be a modern reimagining of “Big Oly,” the Ford Bronco driven by Parnelli Jones that helped him win twice in back-to-back victories. Saleen says that its Bronco will have a golden livery, similar to the one worn by Parnelli during his Baja 1000-winning runs.
The parts list for the Saleen Ford Bronco will include several of the tuner’s components, including a front bumper with integrated LED light array, a forged carbon skid plate, a special grille, composite front fenders with integrated forged carbon fender vents, a power hood, special rear fenders, an adjustable roof spoiler, and a rear tire carrier and bumper cover.
Details for the upcoming Saleen Ford Bronco are scarce and no power or drivetrain modification specs have been released. But judging by Saleen’s other offerings, it’s possible that some degree of high-power tune will be available.
2021 Saleen Ford F-150 Sportruck XR
Though it has been improving Ford vehicles for many years, Saleen’s current catalog has just one off-road-oriented vehicle – the Sportruck XR, a brawny Ford F-150 with up to 700 horsepower from a supercharged Ford 5.0L Coyote V8.
Meanwhile, Ford is reportedly working on its own hi-po version of the Bronco, which could potentially wear the Raptor nameplate. As Ford Authority reported last month, the Bronco Raptor will likely be powered by Ford’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6, which can currently be found in the engine bays of the Ford Explorer ST and Lincoln Aviator.
If true, that engine could provide the Bronco Raptor with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which is notably more than both engines on offer in the 2021 Ford Bronco. The base engine is the turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 rated at 270 horsepower and the turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 produces 310 horsepower.
We’ll have more on the Saleen Ford Bronco soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comment
Ford should check out the suspension on Saleen’s Bronco, and perhaps use it on a new Bronco Raptor model, along with the 3.0 V-6, or even a Voodoo V-8 engine. That would be a badass Bronco.