Ford unveils modified ‘Auto Nights’ concept cars
Modified versions of Ranger, F-150, Bronco and Bronco Sport debut at SEMA-esque livestream event.
Ford has revealed a slew of modified concepts based on its latest models, unveiled on Friday as part of the brand's 'Ford Auto Nights SEMA Show Special' livestream event.
The online-only Auto Nights event was set up, as its name suggests, in place of the 2020 SEMA show in Las Vegas, which was cancelled as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Headlining the roster of modified show car and custom concepts is the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch 2-Door Concept.
Above: Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch 2-Door Concept
Based on the reborn, full-size Bronco off-roader, the concept explores one of the Bronco development program's "customer-use scenarios, in which a comfortable Monday through Friday Bronco is converted for a weekend of extreme off-roading, and then back to stock Badlands spec for the week ahead."
The Badlands Sasquatch concept is fitted with removable and swappable front and rear wheel-arch panels – which can be installed before and removed after an off-roading session – in place of the production car's factory-fitted, colour-matched versions, along with a 'stepover replacement panel' rather than traditional doors and 3D-printed titanium parts throughout the body to remove weight and increase strength.
It also features 17-inch wheels wrapped in Nitto Trail Grappler mud-terrain tyres, a winch, raised ride height, LED bonnet-mounted lights, unique rock sliders and a soft-top roof.
Above: Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Overland Concept by MAD Industries
The Bronco's smaller, monocoque sibling, the Bronco Sport, has been treated to a variety of modifications from established Ford project vehicle builder, MAD Industries.
Dubbed the 'Bronco Sport Badlands Overland Concept by MAD Industries', the overlanding off-roader features large off-road tyres, black alloy wheels, a silver roof rack, roof-mounted LED light bar and a silver and black-hued trailer.
Joining the Bronco twins is the Ranger XLT Tremor SuperCrew, based on the production-specification 2021 Ranger Tremor.
Above and top: Ford Ranger XLT Tremor SuperCrew
Ford's 'vehicle personalisation team' has fitted the Blue Oval's smallest ute with an array of official accessories and Ford performance parts, including bonnet-mounted LED spotlights, a snorkel, a red and black decal package, and a mounting frame in the tray to carry a mountain bike, bags, a kayak and "all the gear needed for a day of hitting the trails and the lake".
Alongside the smaller Ranger is a customised version of Ford's best-selling F-150 pick-up, modified by BDS Suspension.
Based on the flagship, V6 hybrid-powered Limited SuperCrew variant, additions over the showroom-specification F-150 include large off-road tyres with 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, 35-inch Mickey Thompson tyres, a 102mm-higher ride height, air suspension, backlit front Ford badge, wheel arch extensions and a rear tray rack with space for "adventure gear and supplies".
Above: Ford F-150 Limited Hybrid SuperCrew by BDS Suspension
The four show cars were displayed on (the virtual) stage alongside a range of Ford's latest production models (including the Bronco twins, Mustang Mach-E and F-150) and the all-electric Mustang Mach-E 1400 concept unveiled earlier this year (pictured at bottom).
While the concepts in their current forms won't be heading to production, many of their parts – namely the accessories and Ford Performance Parts fitted to the Ranger Tremor – will be (or are currently) available through Ford's US dealer network.
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