2021 Ford Bronco Just Bucked the Haters by Disrespecting Hell’s Gate
As hundreds of thousands of 2021 Ford Bronco customers wait for their SUVs to be delivered, Ford makes sure that no one forgets why they are so excited about the Bronco. We have seen multiple PR stunts from Ford, like crashing the Easter Jeep Safari. Now we see this video of Loren Healey taking a stock Bronco up Hell’s Gate backward.
The 2021 Ford Bronco just disrespected Hell’s Gate
Hell’s Gate is one of the more infamous trails in the off-roading wonderland that is Moab, Utah. These stone crevasse has bested many serious 4x4s, but between the strength of the 2021 Ford Bronco and professional off-road racer Loren Healy, Hell’s Gate got conquered in reverse.
The thing about off-roading videos is that they often look much easier and less dramatic than what was happening in real life. This video is a very frustrating example of that, indeed. Healey makes this bit of gnarly off-roading look like he’s backing into a parking spot at Wal-Mart.
Hell’s Gate regularly bests supped-up rock crawlers. The pass is steep and made of pure rock. According to The Drive, grip isn’t really the issue. What makes this climb hard is the fact that the rock is in a mini valley shape and requires a flexible suspension, good tires, and a couple of steady hands and feet.
However, doing it backward is something altogether different. It takes all the same things as driving it regularly, plus the fact that the controls are now backward and the driver can’t see to place tires.
Is the Ford Bronco good off-road?
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Every bit of information we’ve gotten about the 2021 Ford Bronco points toward not only a great off-roader but an all-time great. According to Motor1, the finalized specs for the Bronco show some really promising features.
The base model comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder making 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque paired with either the 10-speed automatic transmission or a seven-speed manual.
The optional up-ticket turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the smaller turbo-four, the V6 can only be paired with the automatic 10-speed.
For dedicated off-roaders, there is the Sasquatch package which is a hardcore off-road package. The Sasquatch package includes 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires on 17-inch bead-lock-capable wheels, Dana electronic locking differentials for both axles, Bilstein shocks, and a 4.7:1 final drive ratio. The only downside other than the $4,995 upcharge is the decreased fuel economy.
Hell’s Gate, Schmel’s Gate
Hell’s Gate is much more of a challenge of skill and mettle than it is fancy equipment. We saw the Bronco Sport – the baby brother to the big Bronco – run Hell’s Gate not too long ago. Granted, the baby Bronco didn’t huck in reverse as Loren Healey did here.
Doing it backward proves that not only is Loren Healey a master off-roader, but that the 2021 Ford Bronco has somehow not been overhyped. The hype is intense, but it all might be warranted.
