The First-Ever Ford Bronco Filson – Rugged American Heritage
About this episode
Hosts kick off with a wilderness debut for the Bronco Philson, tying Ford’s new off-road direction to Filson’s rugged, long-lasting outdoor heritage. Ford leaders and Bronco’s chief engineer discuss durability as an iterative process—standard structural checks followed by extreme “torture testing” at Johnson Valley to find the next failure point. The conversation then moves through the Philson’s twin-turbo V6 strategy, ride and NVH improvements, and practical tech like a digital rear-view camera and retractable power running boards.
In this episode, we’re joined by Ford to explore the First-Ever Bronco Filson Edition — a powerful collaboration where Bronco’s Built Wild spirit meets Filson’s legendary Unfailing Goods. This is more than a special edition — it’s a celebration of rugged adventure and field-tested excellence.
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Sunclair Suncadia Resort
"This is the Sunclair Suncadia Resort. I'm here with Mike Levine from Ford."
This is the resort location where the event is happening. They chose it because it fits the wilderness/outdoors vibe of the Bronco Philson reveal.
Sunclair Suncadia Resort is the venue where the hosts are gathering in the Pacific Northwest. It’s being used as a wilderness setting to frame the Bronco Philson debut and the “go explore” theme.
Philson
"if you are into exploring the wilderness and you're looking for really reliable gear, you know, things that are going to wear in not wear out. It's Philson."
Filson is a company that makes outdoor gear meant to last a long time. Here, they’re being linked to the Bronco so the vehicle feels like part of an outdoors toolkit.
Filson (spoken here as “Philson”) is an outdoor-gear brand known for rugged, long-lasting materials. In this episode, it’s positioned as the reason the Bronco Philson package is “reliable gear” that’s meant to wear well in harsh environments.
Dave Rivers
"two of our leaders that you're going to hear from the Bronco Philson program are going to be Dave Rivers. He's head of enthusiast vehicles for Ford."
Dave Rivers is described as head of enthusiast vehicles for Ford, covering both Bronco and Mustang. That role matters because it connects the program’s engineering direction to the enthusiast-focused product strategy.
Ford Mustang
"...st vehicles for Ford. So that includes Bronco and Mustang. And you're also going to hear from Ed Krentz, wh..."
The Ford Mustang is a sports car made for stronger performance and a more exciting drive than a normal sedan. It’s a well-known model in Ford’s lineup. The podcast brings it up as part of the vehicles Ford is talking about.
The Ford Mustang is a performance-focused sports car that’s been a long-running centerpiece of Ford’s lineup. It’s frequently discussed because it combines everyday usability with a strong emphasis on driving feel and engine options. In the podcast context, it’s grouped with other Ford vehicles, indicating its continued relevance as part of Ford’s broader product strategy.
Ed Krentz
"And you're also going to hear from Ed Krentz, who's chief engineer on Bronco."
Ed Krentz is Ford’s chief engineer for the Bronco. That usually means he’s responsible for the big technical decisions behind how the vehicle is designed and built.
Ed Krentz is identified as chief engineer on Bronco. A chief engineer typically owns the vehicle’s overall technical direction, so his presence signals the Bronco Philson is being treated as a real engineering program, not just a marketing package.
durability testing
"But if you would just talk a little bit about some of our durability testing. Yeah, so we we run a standard for structural durability and all products go through."
Durability testing means the company deliberately puts the vehicle under hard use to see what might break. Then they fix those weak spots so the car lasts longer in real life.
Durability testing is a structured program where a vehicle is stressed repeatedly to find weak points before real customers do. The goal is to identify parts or systems that could fail and then improve them for future builds.
structural durability
"Yeah, so we we run a standard for structural durability and all products go through. But that is like the the entry level position for how we would torture test these vehicles."
Structural durability is about whether the vehicle’s main body structure can take repeated stress without getting damaged. They describe it as the basic level of testing before going even harder.
Structural durability refers to how well a vehicle’s body structure (like its frame and load paths) withstands repeated stress without cracking, deforming, or failing. It’s treated as a baseline “entry level” standard before more extreme torture testing.
torture test
"But that is like the the entry level position for how we would torture test these vehicles. Our proving ground our our test lab, if you will, is Johnson Valley, California."
A “torture test” is basically a very extreme stress test. They use it to find weak spots that might not show up in normal testing.
A “torture test” is an informal industry term for extremely aggressive testing meant to push a vehicle beyond normal use. Here, it’s described as the next step after structural durability testing to uncover the next potential failure point.
Johnson Valley, California
"Our proving ground our our test lab, if you will, is Johnson Valley, California. We are out there with development teams around the clock, annually testing actual goal, whether or not isn't to meet a bogey or pass."
Johnson Valley is a rugged testing area in California. The hosts say they use it as a proving ground to test Bronco vehicles in tough, real-world-like conditions.
Johnson Valley is a well-known off-road proving area in California used for vehicle development and testing. In this segment, Ford describes it as their proving ground where development teams run annual tests under real extreme conditions.
find the next fuse in the system
"The actual goal is to find the next fuse in the system, the next thing that could break, and continue to fix and improve the capability over time on these products."
They’re saying they test until they find what breaks first, then they fix that. After that, they keep going to find the next weak spot so the vehicle gets better each time.
This phrase describes a “weakest-link” approach to engineering: instead of just passing a test, the team looks for the next component or system that fails first. The idea is to keep iterating so the vehicle’s overall capability improves over time.
powertrain
"One in particular is powertrain. And so if you could just talk a little bit about what we're making standard in terms of the engine under the hood."
Powertrain is the set of parts that make the car move. In this segment, they’re talking about what engine/drivetrain setup the Bronco Pilsen will use.
Powertrain refers to the components that generate and deliver drive power—typically the engine, transmission, driveshafts, and related drivetrain parts. The segment uses it to discuss what engine hardware will be standard in the Bronco Pilsen.
engine under the hood
"One in particular is powertrain. And so if you could just talk a little bit about what we're making standard in terms of the engine under the hood."
They’re talking about the main engine in the front of the car. The host is about to explain which engine it will use.
“Engine under the hood” is a plain-language reference to the vehicle’s main combustion engine location. In this segment it’s used as a lead-in to the specific engine family (twin-turbo V6, 2.7L and 3.0L) that will be standard.
twin turbo
"So we have a tried and true twin turbo V6 today, 2.7 liter. But we also have a tried and true 3 liter V6 twin turbo currently deployed..."
Twin-turbo means the engine uses two turbochargers to help it make more power. It helps the engine feel stronger when you need it, especially for off-road driving.
A twin-turbo setup uses two turbochargers to force more air into the engine, improving power and responsiveness. In this segment, Ford is describing twin-turbo V6 engines as the Bronco Pilsen’s foundation, with tuning differences for everyday off-road use.
V6
"So we have a tried and true twin turbo V6 today, 2.7 liter. But we also have a tried and true 3 liter V6 twin turbo..."
V6 is an engine type with six cylinders. In this segment, it’s important because they’re talking about a twin-turbo V6 that’s been used in other off-road Ford vehicles.
V6 describes an engine with six cylinders arranged in a V shape. Here it matters because Ford is using a twin-turbo V6 architecture (2.7L and 3.0L variants) as the Bronco Pilsen’s engine family.
F-150 Raptor
"...e 3 liter V6 twin turbo currently deployed in our Raptor and Ranger Raptor products. That now becomes our ..."
The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck designed for hauling and everyday driving. The podcast mentions a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, which is a way of making more power using forced induction. That matters because it affects how strong and responsive the truck feels.
The Ford F-150 is Ford’s full-size pickup truck and a major volume model, so changes to its engines and powertrains are widely discussed. In the podcast context, it references a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo setup being used across performance-focused applications, which signals how Ford is standardizing or expanding that technology. That’s significant because engine choice directly impacts towing, acceleration, and overall drivability.
Ford Ranger
"...6 twin turbo currently deployed in our Raptor and Ranger Raptor products. That now becomes our standard en..."
The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck, meaning it’s built to carry cargo and handle work or outdoor use. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside a more performance-focused version, and they talk about engine technology like twin turbos. That’s important because it changes how much power the truck can make and how it drives.
The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck, and it’s discussed in the context of Ford’s performance-oriented “Raptor” and “Ranger Raptor” models. The podcast mentions twin-turbo technology being used across these products, which matters because it affects power delivery and how the trucks perform under load. This makes the Ranger relevant to listeners who care about capability and modern engine setups in the pickup segment.
available torque
"We are looking a bit more for a everyday performance of well rounded effortless power, available torque for all the off road things..."
Torque is the engine’s pulling force. More torque usually helps the vehicle move strongly at low speeds, which is useful for off-road situations.
Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, which strongly influences how easily a vehicle accelerates and climbs at low speeds. The segment highlights “available torque” as part of the Bronco Pilsen’s goal for off-road capability and effortless everyday driving.
Bronco Raptor
"So really proud to bring an engine to the Bronco Pilsen that has been again torture tested for about five years now of Bronco Raptor production"
The Bronco Raptor is Ford’s tougher, off-road-oriented Bronco. Here, they’re using the Raptor’s long testing and development as proof that the new Bronco Pilsen’s setup should hold up.
The Bronco Raptor is Ford’s high-performance off-road Bronco, and this segment treats it as the engineering baseline for durability testing. The hosts connect its multi-year “torture tested” production experience to the Bronco Pilsen’s powertrain validation.
power and torque
"Nothing wrong with the 2.7 liter, but adding a significant step up in power and torque is a real world improvement."
Power and torque are the two main measures used to describe engine output. Torque is the twisting force that helps acceleration from low speeds, while power is related to how quickly the engine can keep making work as speed rises.
acceleration
"So it's just a way to communicate acceleration. We're talking about a greater than a half a second improvement in acceleration versus the 2.7."
Acceleration is how fast the vehicle gets up to speed. They’re saying the new setup makes it noticeably quicker than the previous 2.7-liter version.
Acceleration is how quickly a vehicle speeds up, often discussed in terms of time improvements between versions. Here, the hosts use acceleration as a way to communicate performance without focusing on off-road-specific metrics.
Fox shocks
"and it comes standard with sat swatch on 35-inch tires and Fox shocks, but it's not the one that we may have had in the past."
Fox shocks are special suspension parts that help the wheels move smoothly over bumps. In this episode, they’re talking about tuning them so the ride feels less jarring on regular roads.
Fox shocks are performance off-road shock absorbers made by Fox. They’re designed to control wheel movement over rough terrain, and in this segment they’re also tuned to improve ride comfort on-road.
35-inch tires
"and it comes standard with sat swatch on 35-inch tires and Fox shocks, but it's not the one that we may have had in the past."
35-inch tires are big off-road tires. They help the vehicle handle rough terrain better, and they can also affect how smooth the ride feels, so the suspension has to match.
35-inch tires are very large off-road tires that increase ground clearance and improve traction over obstacles. Larger tires also change ride and steering feel, which is why the segment pairs them with a specific suspension package.
suspension package
"The obvious thing to do is to start with our most capable suspension package and tire package that is standard."
A suspension package is the set of parts that control how the car rides over bumps. Here, they’re saying the setup is chosen to balance off-road ability with a smoother feel on pavement.
A suspension package is the coordinated set of suspension components (like shocks/struts and related hardware) designed to deliver a specific ride and handling character. This segment contrasts an off-road-focused setup with a version tuned for better on-road comfort.
Fox tuning
"We took the opportunity to tune it a little bit more for on road comfort and that's what we did with the Fox tuning."
Fox tuning means adjusting the shock settings so the ride feels a certain way. They tuned it to be smoother on regular roads, not just on dirt.
Fox tuning refers to how Fox shocks are calibrated for a specific ride feel. In this segment, the tuning is adjusted to make the ride more comfortable on-road while still supporting off-road capability.
body structure
"So we've got premium rugged poured it over again from the Raptor and the Seabull race. So that's standard content to provide increased body structure, but the end goal was a less abrupt or abrasive ride"
Body structure is how rigid and reinforced the vehicle’s body is. A stiffer body can help the car feel smoother because it flexes less over bumps.
Body structure refers to how stiff and reinforced the vehicle’s body is. Stiffer structure can reduce unwanted flex, which often translates to a less abrupt or abrasive ride—especially when combined with suspension changes.
wind noise
"an enhanced sat swatch package with another error we've had a lot of feedback on is wind noise. [681.7s] And so you guys have gone to town to take on noise vibration harshness within the vehicle."
Wind noise is the loud whooshing sound you hear from air moving around the car. It gets worse when the vehicle has openings or removable roof parts, so engineers try to seal up gaps and manage airflow to quiet it down.
Wind noise is the unwanted sound created when air flows around a vehicle’s body and through gaps in doors, windows, and roof openings. In SUVs like the Bronco, it’s especially noticeable with open-air or removable roof designs, so engineers often target sealing, airflow shaping, and sound absorption to reduce it.
noise vibration harshness
"[681.7s] And so you guys have gone to town to take on noise vibration harshness within the vehicle. [688.8s] And this is going to be one of those ones where it's like you'll noticeably [692.6s] sense how much quieter this Bronco is."
NVH is how smooth and quiet a car feels. It includes things like unwanted noise, shaking/vibration, and how rough the ride feels—so engineers try to reduce those for a more relaxing drive.
Noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) is a catch-all term for how much sound, shaking, and “roughness” a vehicle produces. Here, the discussion ties NVH work to making the Bronco’s cabin quieter and less fatiguing by addressing airflow, sealing, and absorption.
variability
"There [751.7s] are about 20 different things that we touched on the vehicle in order to address how the [757.9s] air went around the vehicle, how it sealed with variability being one of the things we were [765.2s] trying to attack, as well as absorption."
Here, “variability” means the sealing isn’t always the same in every situation. If a seal or gap changes slightly, wind can get in and create noise, so engineers try to make the sealing more consistent.
In this context, “variability” refers to how consistently the vehicle seals and controls airflow under different conditions—such as different roof/open-air configurations, temperatures, or body tolerances. Engineers often treat sealing variability as a root cause of wind noise because small gaps can change with setup and movement.
absorption
"how it sealed with variability being one of the things we were [765.2s] trying to attack, as well as absorption. So when we do the vehicle walk-arounds tomorrow we can [773.3s] point to some of the specific examples of what we did and what the effect was"
Absorption means using materials that dampen sound. Instead of letting noise bounce around inside the cabin, the materials help “soak up” some of it.
Absorption refers to using materials and design features that soak up sound energy instead of reflecting it back into the cabin. In NVH work, absorption can help reduce how much wind-related noise makes it to occupants, especially in areas where airflow creates turbulence.
digital rear view mirror
"We also have a spare tire that's mounted on the back on the swing [818.1s] gate. It can make disability a bit of a challenge. So you guys have taken that one out as well, [823.3s] but with a digital rear view mirror, make sure to look at that."
A digital rear view mirror is a screen that shows what’s behind you using a camera. It can help you see better when something like a rear-mounted spare tire blocks the normal mirror view.
A digital rear view mirror replaces the traditional mirror with a camera-based display. This can improve rear visibility when the vehicle’s rear-mounted spare tire and swing-gate packaging obstruct the view, which is exactly the problem the hosts mention.
Bronco
"In many cases it's really just a nod to premium or luxury for sake. In our case, if you don't know you're in a Bronco, you will when you look in the rear view mirror and you get a full view of your spare tire."
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV built for off-roading. Here they’re talking about how the Bronco’s design—like the spare tire and off-road tires—changes what you can see and how easy it is to get in and out.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged, off-road-focused SUV known for its go-anywhere capability and trail-friendly packaging. In this segment, the hosts discuss how Bronco-specific design choices affect rear visibility and entry/exit comfort, especially when equipped for off-road use.
digital based rear view mirror
"So visibility becomes a compromise. The solution to that is digital based rear view mirror."
Instead of a normal mirror, this uses a camera mounted on the vehicle and shows the rear view on a screen. That way you can still see behind you even if the back is crowded with gear.
A digital-based rear view mirror replaces the traditional mirror with a camera and a screen. It helps maintain a clear rear view even when the vehicle’s rear cargo (like a spare tire and gear) blocks the line of sight.
image stability
"One of the interesting engineering challenges, unlike doing a traditional on-road SUV, is image stability with the camera location."
Image stability means the camera picture stays steady and clear, even when the vehicle is bouncing around. Off-road driving can shake things, so the system has to be designed to keep the view usable.
Image stability is how steady and usable the camera feed stays despite vibration, bumps, and movement. For a camera-based mirror on an off-road vehicle, the system must keep the picture from shaking or degrading while driving over rough terrain.
integrated power running boards
"And another premium element of this product is it's going to have integrated power running boards, which is the first time we're bringing that to Bronco."
These are motorized steps on the side of the vehicle that come out to make it easier to climb in. They retract when you don’t need them, and they still have to work without hurting off-road ground clearance.
Integrated power running boards are motorized side steps that deploy to help passengers get in and out, then retract when not needed. They’re especially useful on taller vehicles, but they also have to be packaged to avoid sacrificing off-road clearance.
Sasquatch tires
"Yeah, so this is one being a Sasquatch Bronco owner that I don't need to read customer verbatim. I have a wife that is very, very clear about how difficult it is to get into a Bronco with Sasquatch tires without any sort of step bar or running board."
“Sasquatch tires” are the Bronco’s more aggressive off-road tires. They usually come with a taller, higher stance, which can make it harder to climb in unless there are steps or a running board.
“Sasquatch tires” refers to a specific off-road tire setup associated with the Bronco’s Sasquatch package, typically paired with more aggressive all-terrain tread. The segment highlights that these larger off-road tires make entry harder without steps, because the vehicle sits higher.
ground clearance
"We've been working towards improving that over time without, again, wanting to not wanting to give up any ground clearance or capability."
Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the vehicle and the ground. More clearance helps you avoid hitting rocks or ruts when you’re off-road.
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of the vehicle and the ground. More ground clearance helps prevent scraping and improves the ability to drive over obstacles on rough trails.
aerodynamics
"with 26 model year, which is a significant improvement for aerodynamics. That'll be also, as at all Broncos, including Bronco Filson."
Aerodynamics is how the car’s shape affects how air moves around it. Better aerodynamics can help the car move more efficiently and smoothly.
Aerodynamics is how air flows around a vehicle, affecting drag and efficiency. The segment claims a “significant improvement for aerodynamics” for the 26 model year, implying the vehicle’s shape and airflow management were updated.
retractable running boards
"But yes, we think the retractable running boards is the solution for this product. One, it helps you get in and out of the vehicle, but two, it's not there to be sacrificial in the off-road space."
Retractable running boards are steps on the side of the vehicle that can fold out for easier entry. When you go off-road, they can fold away so they’re less likely to get in the way or get damaged.
Retractable running boards are side steps that can move in and out of the way. On an off-road vehicle like the Bronco Filson, the goal is to help you get in and out normally while retracting them so they don’t become obstacles or get damaged in rough terrain.
off-road space
"but two, it's not there to be sacrificial in the off-road space. So I think it's a really elegant solution to try and test the solutions and do the retractable running boards"
Here, “off-road space” means the rough terrain area where the car has to clear obstacles. They’re saying the steps are designed to not be the first thing that gets hit or damaged.
In this context, “off-road space” means the clearance and operating conditions where obstacles, rocks, and uneven ground can interfere with parts. The segment argues that retractable running boards avoid being “sacrificial” (i.e., easily damaged) during off-road use.
4x4 category
"The Bronco Filson is the first time we're stepping into more of that premium, drugged utility space in terms of the 4x4 category."
“4x4” means the vehicle can drive all four wheels. They’re using it to describe the Bronco Filson as an off-road-focused SUV.
“4x4” refers to a vehicle with four-wheel drive, meaning power is sent to all four wheels. The “4x4 category” is used here to position the Bronco Filson as an off-road-capable utility vehicle rather than a purely on-road SUV.
generational durability
"We call it generational durability. We'll share more with you all tomorrow on that."
“Generational durability” is basically a promise that the vehicle is built to last a long time. They’re saying it’s tough enough to hold up for years of use.
“Generational durability” is a marketing concept meaning the vehicle is engineered to last for many years—potentially across multiple ownership generations. In this segment, it’s used to frame the Bronco Filson as “highly durable” and built for long-term rugged use.
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