Premcar develops chassis, suspension for reimagined classic Ford

Australian new-vehicle engineering and manufacturing firm Premcar has teamed up with US manufacturer of reimagined classic Ford Bronco SUVs, Gateway Bronco, to develop its latest model.

Unveiled during this year’s Monterey Car Week in the USA, Premcar will develop the chassis, suspension and steering for Illinois-based Gateway’s newest 1960s-inspired LUXE-GT model based on the classic Ford Bronco vehicle.

Known by its project codename Pegasus, Melbourne’s Premcar developed the ladder-frame structure with a 2350 mm wheelbase and 1623 mm (front) / 1630 mm (rear) track width reminiscent of the classic Bronco, according to a statement.

It has also been designed and developed to accept Ford’s latest 343 kW / 460 horsepower 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 engine, 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive system.

The vehicle is also fitted with active safety systems, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) and Anti-lock braking (ABS).

The Bronco remake is the latest vehicle specially modified by Premcar, which recently expanded its Melbourne production facilities.

In May, Premcar was given the green light by Nissan Australia to develop and produce the newest model to join its modified Nissan Warrior programme – the Patrol Warrior.

Based on the Y62-series Patrol, Premcar will conduct wheel, tyre and suspension enhancements to suit Australian conditions.

Gateway Bronco’s CEO and President Seth Burgett said developing the new LUXE-GT necessitated world-class OEM know-how.

Burgett said: “The Premcar team has achieved remarkable results with this new chassis and suspension system – they’ve helped us reposition our classic-style LUXE-GT Bronco series into a new market realm.

“This is now a new car with classic style, not a classic car with new style.”

Beginning with specific attribute and performance targets, a two-year platform-development programme progressed through extensive CAD (computer-aided design) and FEA (finite element analysis) phases before prototype construction and testing. Suspension components were also newly developed for the programme.

All engineering and development work was conducted at Premcar’s Engineering and Production Centre in Melbourne and included heavy-duty testing in remote regions of Australia.

Gateway Bronco’s new Premcar-developed ladder-frame chassis will be made in Detroit, USA by Premcar’s global engineering partner, RLE International. Vehicle assembly will take place at Gateway Bronco’s production facility in Illinois.

Further reading:
Premcar expands its Australian new-car manufacturing
Premcar launches its latest modified Nissan Patrol Warrior – video

Picture: Premcar