Barbie Bronco. Just threw up in my mouth.How Utah's Desert Landscape Inspired New, Bold Ford Bronco Design (Desert Rising Edition)
July 27, 2026
By Hana Medina freelance contributor for Ford
The Great Salt Lake doesn't look much like a lake in July. The north arm runs coral and nearly rose-colored, teeming with microscopic organisms thriving in the briny water. And the sand dunes take on berry hues at dawn and dusk.
These desert landscapes are what senior designer Bhavna Mistry and the Ford team brought back to the studio as they designed Desert Rising, a new Bronco trim and customization package available to order starting today.
It's the first of a new line of packages Ford is calling the Horizon Series, offered through Ford Custom Garage.
I recently talked with Mistry about the inspiration behind the design.
Ford has a long history of desert racing. How did that influence this design?
Desert racing runs deep in the Bronco® DNA, but for us, inspiration didn't come from the racing itself. It started with the environment it sat in: the desert, and those magical moments of calm and thrill before and after the race, when the whole place transforms into amazing tones of berry. It's like a reward at the end of it.
Magenta is unexpected for Bronco. Can you tell me more about these colors?
Every color story starts with a place. This one starts here in Utah.
The color palette draws its inspiration from natural phenomena that take place in some of the most iconic locations. Starting with the Great Salt Lake, as temperatures rise and water levels drop, that portion of the lake turns almost neon in color due to the rare natural phenomena: the microbiomes that use pink or purple pigment to capture the sunlight into energy.
Similarly, at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the hues shift throughout the day, but it's the magical moments at dawn and dusk, when they deepen into rich, saturated tones of berry, that inspired us.
And after a rare rainfall in the desert, the cactus bursts into a sudden bloom of bright magenta, a bold pop of color in the harshest landscape on the planet. That's what resonates with the spirit of Bronco for us: built to withstand the harshest terrain, capable of something unexpected, yet full of energy.
Tell me about the exterior graphics. What's the story you're trying to tell there?
Graphics on the body side are a suggestive, abstract interpretation of the landscapes that inspired us and carry the same energy as those magical moments we chased. They're optional to the package; customers can choose how much of a bold statement they want to make.
How did you approach interior design?
We carried the same discipline inside the cabin. The interior offers striking two-tone leather seats in magenta and black with accent stitching from Katzkin, plus a pop of color on the grab handles that ties beautifully with exterior elements, highly capable Method wheels, trail sights, and the bucky on the tailgate.
Tell me about the design process. How long did it take to go from concept to creation?
The team, which also includes Nahshon Francis and Jim Ransdell, were challenged to develop a bold concept that reflects core values of Bronco while connecting with customers' lifestyles. Moving fast and getting ideas to market quickly is a hallmark of the Ford Custom Garage team, and that was part of the approach here.
There are many iterations of the Bronco. Tell me more about Ford Custom Garage.
Almost half of the ford customers want to personalize. We continue to see the desire for personalization grow. And our mission is to make it as easy, curated, and worry free as possible while still providing unique builds.
We want people to fall in love with Ford Custom Garage packages. Enthusiasts want to personalize their vehicles, and we recognize that every trim package isn't for every customer. Desert Rising was designed for those looking for something bold, expressive, and fun. We hope drivers take these vehicles to unforgettable destinations that only a Bronco can reach, creating memories along the way.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing a Ford Custom Garage package is that it's backed by Ford. The packages feature model-specific Ford Racing Parts and accessories, which are all considered original equipment manufacturer components. When installed by a Ford dealer or ASE-certified technician, they maintain the vehicle's standard new-vehicle warranty.
On which Bronco models is this trim package available?
It's available on the Outer Banks model, in four exterior colors: Oxford White, Shadow Black, Avalanche Gray, and Ruby Red.
Which features will enthusiasts be excited about?
This vehicle combines off-roading (including the capability of the Sasquatch® Package) with beauty. I think they will appreciate our collaboration with Method wheels and how were able to work with them to get the color tie-in with the rest of the elements on the car, and a little splash of magenta on the center cap. It’s those tiny details that make the whole package cohesive. We also have a limited-edition, serialized center console badge that makes it truly special.
When will it be available in dealerships?
Orders are open as of July 27, 2026.
How much does the Bronco Desert Rising Edition package cost?
The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Bronco Desert Rising Edition package is $13,695.
What else can customers expect?
Desert Rising is just the first chapter in the Horizon Series. There's more to come, and we're excited to continue sharing that story.
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