The Genesis of a Legendary SUV
The Milestone Creation of Gateway Bronco
The latest offering from Gateway Bronco stands as a significant landmark for this Illinois – based restomod company. It’s not merely due to the exposed carbon – fiber body, the custom independent front – suspension chassis, or the mighty 760 – hp supercharged V – 8 under the hood. More significantly, this Gateway masterpiece bears Carroll Shelby’s signature on a dash plaque near the glovebox. This first prototype was crafted in partnership with Shelby American, and thus, Gateway officially names it the Shelby Sport SUV. Securing Shelby’s approval was no easy task, as we discovered during a misty – day drive in Southern California. One might think that simply fitting such a powerful Ford “Predator” engine into a vintage truck would be perilous. However, drivability emerged as the top priority.
The Driving Experience: A Symphony of Power and Control
City and Winding Road Performance
In urban traffic, the Shelby Sport SUV showcases an exquisite level of throttle control to tame its prodigious power output. The independent front suspension ensures predictable and confident steering. When the road starts to wind, the suspension allows a slight body roll before smoothly handling tight corners, outperforming even Gateway’s remarkable Luxe – GT that we drove last year at Monterey Car Week. From the passenger seat, Gateway Bronco founder Seth Burgett revealed that this project took eight years of development before Shelby gave the green light.
Power and Precision under the Hood
As a proof of concept, the Shelby Sport SUV had to live up to the Carroll Shelby name. A motorsport – derived Tremec five – speed manual transmission provides classic driver engagement while handling the engine’s abundant torque. Even with full – time all – wheel drive, the power plant can make all four tires chirp during the initial gears. In contrast, Gateway has also equipped the vehicle with ABS brakes and traction – control programming to prevent over – exuberance. Burgett boasted that the truck can stop from 60 mph in just 148 feet, despite its 33 – inch BFGoodrich K02 all – terrain tires. Shifting gears, from second to third and then to fourth using the pistol – grip – style shifter, evokes images of vintage Broncos racing through the desert. The clutch – pedal feel perfectly conveys the friction zone while managing the immense power. And the bi – modal exhaust note is a marvel, starting as a deep grumble and swelling into a glorious cacophony as the tachometer climbs.
The Alluring Interior and Design Aesthetics
A Blend of Luxury and Futuristic Elements
The interior of the Shelby Sport SUV is a sight to behold. The Porsche – leather upholstery contrasts vividly with the futuristic carbon inlays. While Gateway will offer a tamer exhaust system for neighbor – friendly driving and alternative transmission and engine options, there’s an argument that these might somewhat dampen the Shelby pioneering spirit. The Shelby connection runs deep in Burgett’s life. He races an authentic GT350 and owns the very first Ford Bronco, previously Carroll Shelby’s. Despite the 1966 model – year designation, this Shelby Sport SUV is a far cry from those classics. The carbon – fiber body, with its glossy Highland Green weave and raw carbon race stripes, showcases modern production. A new partnership with Recaro brought in the bucket seats, with Pepita Houndstooth inserts inspired by the Porsche 911 R.
Comfort and Compromise in the Cabin
The Recaro seats snugly hold the driver and passengers, crucial considering the vehicle’s speed capabilities. However, performance in a 4×4 like this comes with tradeoffs. The carbon buckets have limited recline and are positioned high, causing the windshield frame to block the line of sight for taller drivers. To prevent excessive squat and nosedive during acceleration and braking, Gateway used stiff springs, which can result in a rougher ride on rough roads. Softer springs might be more comfortable but less inspiring in terms of driving confidence. We also yearned for more supercharger whine, a feature often associated with modern Hellcat engines that Fords sometimes overlook in favor of the enhanced exhaust sound.
The Shelby Sport SUV’s Allure and Exclusivity
Turning Heads and Attracting Attention
The Shelby Sport SUV is a head – turner, even among supercars. Burgett spent much of our morning explaining to onlookers what they were seeing. Some were drawn to the carbon – fiber bodywork, others admired the curly maple wood in the bed, and many climbed into the Recaros to explore the metal – finished switches and knobs, with no cheap plastics in sight.
Limited Production and Warranty
Gateway and Shelby plan to build only 10 examples per year. Pricing starts at $315,000 for a Bronco with the Coyote V – 8 and standard body panels, and fully customizing with carbon fiber and custom upholstery can push the price closer to $800,000. For peace of mind, the Shelby Sport SUV comes with a 10 – year bumper – to – bumper warranty, which Burgett calls the “flying doctor” service. Additionally, Gateway will build right – hand – drive configurations for international customers. Each vehicle will have a Gateway Bronco serial number and be entered into the official Shelby Registry, becoming an integral part of Carroll Shelby’s enduring automotive legacy.
