Ford has announced that it will be making an announcement on June 3. During an event at Filson’s Manhattan, NY, store ford confirmed it is partnering with the iconic outdoors brand. This collaboration is going to result in the Bronco Filson, a Ford Bronco Four-Door with some Filson-focused touches meant to appeal to fans of both companies.
While specs and other precise details are being withheld until the vehicle is unveiled on June 3, we have managed to garner some details from the announcement of the announcement. The first comes from the one object Ford did actually pull a cover off. A Bronco Filson spare tire cover.
The cover is painted in a metallic green which doesn’t currently appear as a Bronco paint option. So it’s fair to assume that the Bronco Filson will also appear in this shade of green. A jerry can, also in that particular green, was subtly placed at the end of the buffet table. Further suggesting that a new paint color is on the way.
I pressed Ford’s PR people for the name of that color, but they were remaining pretty tight lipped. They usually have weird, aspirational, names. So let’s call it “sparkly swamp musk” for now.
Beyond that, we know that materials commonly associated with Filson’s clothing will likely be appearing in the new Bronco’s interior. Similar to how the Carhartt/F-Series collab saw the truck’s interior clad in materials and stitching associated with the popular workwear brand.
Again, we won’t see exactly what until June, but I’m assuming flannel will be present, along with waxed cotton and thick wool.
Under the hood, there are unlikely to be many surprises. It’s just a Bronco Four Door. Maybe it will borrow a few elements from the Sasquatch package, but again that’s pure speculation at this point. It may also pull some features from Ford;s previous collaboration with Filson, though they may be external. There’s a good chance that jerry can is included, which could come in handy as off-roading tends to burn through gas like nothing else.
The good news for Ford and Filson fans is the vehicle isn’t a concept or something subject to a limited run. It’s an option anyone can select when purchasing a Bronco Four Door. Though the exact premium you’ll pay for the Filson styling is, like pretty much everything else, still under wraps for a couple of weeks.
Ford and Filson have collaborated before
This isn’t the first time Ford has partnered with Filson. Back in 2020, when the Michigan-based automaker was reviving the Bronco, it paired with Filson to produce the Ford Bronco x Filson Wildland Fire Rig.
The fire rig, which was unsurprisingly kitted out to help fight forest fires, was a concept celebrating the contributions of wildland fire fighters. It featured “Forest Service Green” paint (a far lighter shade than the green we’re seeing on that tire cover.
Several features were added to the vehicle, like a modular front bumper from Ford Performance, a RIGID LED light bar, and a WARN Zeon 10s winch. Again it wouldn’t be a major shock if one or more of these features or similar rolled over into the outdoors-focused Bronco Filson.
What is unlikely to crop up is the 50-gallon water tank and firefighting hose the Wildland Fire Rig was packing. While it would be cool to have, it’s probably a bit less useful for general outdoors use than the winch.
As for the Filson side, we may be able to get some clues on the materials Ford is going to use for the upcoming collaboration when we look at the Wildland Fire Rig.
Filson bridle leather straps were used to secure the top of the vehicle, which could be rolled back if you want to go roofless. The cargo area divider was coated in a ripstop fabric similar to what Filson uses in its backpacks.
The company’s otter green duck canvas appeared on the door bolsters, armrests, and seat trim surrounds while quilted black leather (apparently inspired by Filson’s jacket lining) clad the seats. The Bronco logo on the steering wheel was also plated in Filson brass. Cerakote ceramic coating was used on several surfaces, including the rims, roof-rack, and grille.
Curiously enough, the concept also contains the Ford Bronco’s hidden bottle opener in its frame. So first responders are free to crack open a cold one after fighting fires all day.
Again, most of this is a best guess based on what Ford has done before, and what could be observed from a very limited pre-unveiling. If you’re currently sat at home in a Filson jacket and waiting for an excuse to buy a Bronco, keep an eye out on June 3 for the exact details.
