latest creation Gateway Bronco It marks a major milestone for the Illinois-based company toilet firm. And not just because of the exposed carbon fiber body, custom-built independent front-suspension chassis, or the 760-hp supercharged V-8 under the hood. More importantly, the benefits this Gateway structure carries Carroll Shelby‘s signature on the dashboard plate affixed to the glove compartment.

This is because this first prototype, Shelby Americanand Gateway will technically refer to: Bronco as Shelby Sport SUV. Getting official approval from Shelby was no small feat, as we learned while driving the prototype on a foggy day in Southern California. Putting such a powerful Ford “Predator” engine into an old truck seems downright dangerous; instead, drivability quickly became the name of the game.

In city traffic, the Shelby Sport SUV exhibits an improved level of throttle control to harness extraordinary power, while the independent front suspension contributes to predictable, confident steering. But when the road starts to wander, the suspension allows for a slight body roll before settling into tighter corners than any 33-inch-treaded 4×4 tires can manage; it even surpasses Gateway’s already impressive one. Luxury-GT We went by car last year Monterey Car Week. Gateway Bronco founder Seth Burgett told us from the passenger seat that this particular project went through eight years of development before Shelby signed on.

“We needed to produce a vehicle that was far beyond anything that had been done before,” Burgett said. “To be approved as a Shelby Sport SUV, it had to be a truly premium vehicle. . . “We finally closed the deal in April of this year.”

As a proof of concept, the Shelby Sport SUV had to live up to the Carroll Shelby name. The motorsport-derived Tremec five-speed manual transmission provides classic driver engagement but can also accommodate the engine’s high torque; Even a full-time all-wheel-drive system can’t stop the power plant from squealing on all four tires as it barrels through the first tire. several gears. In contrast, Gateway also uses ABS brakes and a traction control program to prevent enthusiasm from turning into regret. In fact, Burgett boasted that the truck could stop from 60 mph in just 18 feet, even with its 33-inch BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain tires.

Shifting from second to third, then fourth using the pistol grip-style shifter, reminded me of old Broncos racing in the desert. And the clutch pedal weight perfectly transmits the friction zone while feeding plenty of power. Not to mention the striking dual-mode exhaust note, which starts as a deep growl and builds into a growing cacophony higher up the tachometer.

Of course, the Gateway will also offer a ten-speed automatic transmission or the non-supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V-8, along with a milder exhaust system to keep its neighbors happy. But we could argue that doing so to some extent lost Shelby’s pioneering spirit. This Shelby connection also ties into Burgett’s personal life. He drives an authentic GT350 in vintage races and also owns the first Ford Bronco ever built, which Carroll Shelby previously owned. But this Shelby Sport SUV bears little resemblance to those classics, even though it technically bears the 1966 model year name.

The glossy Highland Green weave of the all-carbon fiber body and the panel gaps coated in raw carbon for the racing stripes all scream modern manufacturing methods. A new partnership with Recaro has delivered bucket seats complete with Pepita Houndstooth inserts inspired by the Porsche 911 R. The Porsche leather upholstery that covers the rest of the interior contrasts sharply with the futuristic carbon trim, especially on the billet gear lever. .

“We were after the GT3 of sports SUVs in terms of design aesthetics,” says Burgett. “That was really the theme behind it. We could build one baja racer and have a custom tubular frame and put a V-8 inside. But this can’t be sold to the Shelby owner community. . . We truly aim to be the best sports SUV. “Not vintage, not new, but period.”

Recaro seats seat the driver and passengers comfortably; This is a critical consideration considering the speeds the Bronco can reach so quickly. Of course, this kind of performance in 4×4 necessitates some trade-offs. The carbon buckets don’t tilt too much, and in the cabin, the top of the windshield frame is mounted high enough to prevent a straight line of sight for tall drivers. To prevent too much squat and nose dive during hard acceleration and braking, the Gateway had to use stiff springs, which gave it a firmer ride on rough roads; Softer springs may be more comfortable, but less reassuring. We also wanted the added supercharger whine, one of the great features of modern Hellcat engines that Fords often neglect in favor of amplified exhaust music.

Regardless, the Shelby Sport SUV certainly turns heads, even when parked next to supercars. Burgett spent much of our morning explaining to viewers exactly what they were looking at: Some noticed the carbon-fiber hood, some ran their hands over the curly maple in the bed, others climbed inside the Recaros and turned the last knob and knob. , each one encased in metal and not a trace of cheap plastic in sight.

Gateway and Shelby plan to produce just 10 examples per year, starting at $315,000 for a Bronco equipped with the Coyote V-8 and standard body panels. Opting for the all-carbon fiber and custom trim option can quickly push that sticker closer to $800,000. For peace of mind, the Shelby Sport SUV comes with a 10-year bumper-to-bumper warranty for what Burgett calls “flying doctor” service, and it’s worth noting that Gateway will build the trucks in a right-hand drive configuration. Also for international customers. Each will carry a Gateway Bronco serial number and be entered into the official Shelby Registry, making them an integral part of the Gateway Bronco. Carroll ShelbyIts ever-expanding legacy in the automotive industry.

click Here For more photos of Gateway Bronco’s Shelby Sport SUV.