The Ford Bronco (probably) launch thread

[unsprung]

NEW FORD BRONCO

Likely reveal date: January 12, 2019

I’m aware that you hyenas are busy at the moment -- ripping limbs out of sockets and doing other things that, on forums, are par for the course. Recently we learned that the new Jeep pickup truck "is confirmed for Europe" and "Jeep is also gearing up for right-hand drive models, so it could come to the UK."

Is the following also of interest? Let's see.

QUESTIONS THAT BRITONS WANT TO ASK
(IF IT’S NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE; SORRY)

. . . 1. What is a Ford Bronco?

. . . 2. Isn’t this chiefly a US vehicle that we wouldn’t buy anyway?

. . . 3. Will it be produced in right-hand drive? (as God intended)

. . . 4. The range includes a 1-litre petrol and a turbo-diesel, right?

. . . 5. Could it possibly be any more reliable or comfortable than a 1980 Land Rover Series III?

BACKGROUND

The first generation Bronco has, in retrospect, a particular charm -- and its design language is said to be reflected in the new version which, some believe, will be unveiled in January 2019 at the Detroit auto show.

Last year, Ford officially announced that Bronco is coming
https://youtu.be/m6VIz8UkF34

Two weeks ago, photos were "leaked" from a Las Vegas event for Ford dealers:
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2020-ford-baby-...

photo: the supposed new Bronco

[unsprung]

David87 said:

Are you okay?

Also, I believe that image is depicting a car smaller than the new Bronco - I think the silhouette behind the orange car is what we should be looking at.

you might know more than I about this car

from recent news, it appears that there is a mild debate at the moment: ie: Is there one Bronco or are there two? (with one being "regular" in size and the other being the "baby" size)

some believe the silhouette is the new regular version; others believe it's the old car ?

[unsprung]

Some Guy said:

If its anything like this, then it gets my interest.

me too

that two-door concept looks handsome and more sporty / svelte than a four-door

but I will not be surprised if Ford opts for the latter -- for reasons of potential sales volume

[unsprung]

as part of Bronco development, Ford has purportedly evaluated a Jeep Wrangler

and there is another claim that there are not one but two Bronco vehicles in development:

. . . . "the 2020 Bronco and the so-called Baby bronco compact off-roader."

more here:
http://fordauthority.com/2018/12/ford-now-benchmar...

[unsprung]

the new Bronco will be built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger pickup

-- a vehicle already sold in the UK and throughout much of the world

and...

these two vehicles will be built at the same factory in the state of Michigan:

https://kcby.com/news/auto-matters/2020-ford-bronc...

[unsprung]

and the engineering for the so-called "baby Bronco" is already on the road in right-hand drive

details at the link posted above (time stamp 14:10)

photo below:

"This jacked up Fiesta mule is a RHD prototype [for the baby Bronco], which suggests the future B-segment SUV will be offered virtually everywhere around the world."

[unsprung]

the new Bronco was not unveiled, as many had hoped, at the auto show in Detroit

it will, however, be presented during this year


meanwhile, some promising commentary:

"The new truck will not only be a hardcore off-roader, it'll look like the old one, too."
https://driving.ca/ford/bronco/auto-news/news/the-...

video: "Ford is 'very clear' on Bronco's design"
https://www.autonews.com/video/why-ford-very-clear...

[unsprung]

chassis development has been photographed

being a mule, this is about the gubbins (and not the body)

we do have however a possible representation of wheelbase

full details:
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/03/11/ford-bronco-sp...

[unsprung]

confirmed:
.

• Bronco with two doors

.

• removable hard top + removable doors

.

• additionally a second vehicle: a "baby Bronco" small off-roader

.

• and a third vehicle: a crossover with visual cues from the Mustang

.

"Dealers get a glimpse of Bronco prototype"

https://www.autonews.com/sales/dealers-get-glimpse...

Edited by unsprung on Tuesday 26th March 04:32

[unsprung]

So, yes, the Bronco will come in two flavours:

a) a small unibody

b) a regular-sized body-on-frame

The former will be called the Ford Bronco Adventurer (photo of prototype, below) and will use the new C2 platform. As the C2 is also the underpinnings of the Ford Kuga, it's reasonable to assume that the Adventurer will be available in RHD.

more details here:
http://fordauthority.com/2019/08/ford-bronco-adven...

[unsprung]

If the new Defender has left you wanting something a bit less metrosexual...

The new Ford Bronco is anticipated to offer a choice of manual transmission as well as 33-inch tyres.

article here
https://www.tflcar.com/2019/09/report-2021-ford-br...

[unsprung]

Ford has unveiled a teaser:

video here
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29664051/new-fo...

[unsprung]

Leaks have revealed a number of design elements over the last couple of weeks, including most notably, the headlamps.

The enthusiast community has duly set about revising their speculative renderings -- based on these purported leaks. See links below.

https://www.motor1.com/news/391415/2020-ford-bronc...

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-ford-bronco-r...


.

[unsprung]

As stated earlier... No official images of the production car have been published.

All images to date, apart from slivers of the headlight / grille and one or two other ingredients, have been speculative.

Car & Driver says:

. . . "The new Bronco, with its body-on-frame construction, retro looks, and removable doors and roof, is shaping up to be exactly what you're hoping for."

. . . "In a departure from Jeep's approach, Ford is envisioning the Bronco as more of a high-speed desert runner than a low-speed rock crawler."

. . . It will be available in both two- and four-door variants.


https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30434471/new-fo...


.

[unsprung]

Yesterday Ford released a video of the prototype travelling at speed through a desert landscape.

This prototype, displayed in a photo earlier in this thread, does not feature the production body panels.

What we see in this video is a shortened and reconfigured body from the Ford Ranger. But the chassis and suspension are, apparently, close to production spec, if not fully production spec.

This video would seem to confirm what Car & Driver wrote a couple of days ago: That Ford intend for Bronco to be "more of a high-speed desert runner than a low-speed rock crawler." Thus, some distinction from Jeep.

video here
https://www.autoblog.com/2020/01/10/2021-ford-bron...

[unsprung]

The actual vehicle.

It's wearing camouflage. But this is the most complete view to-date of the new Bronco:

more photos here
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/...

[unsprung]

Many of us have been waiting for this:

Confirmation that, yes, there is a two-door variant of the new body-on-frame Bronco.

Given that Ford have taken the strategic decision to develop mass-market portfolios around iconic brands such as Mustang and Bronco (details here), it's not unreasonable to assume that this body-on-frame two-door and four-door could be offered in the UK -- just as with the Mustang GT and Mustang Mach-E.

If so, it could be an affordable alternative to Defender.


slide show here
https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/07/2-door-bronco-...

[unsprung]

It's official!

Bronco will be unveiled in March. We are days away!

Bronco Sport -- formerly using the working title, "Baby Bronco" -- will be unveiled in April.

Some highlights:

. . . a) 200,000 units are estimated for 2021, encompassing all variants: Bronco two- and four-door as well as Bronco Sport.

. . . b) Bronco two- and four-door have a removable hard top and removable doors.

. . . c) Bronco is designed to allow for customisation by the owner using both OEM and aftermarket accessories.

. . . d) Bronco is referred to as "a family" of vehicles. The three units named in point (a) above are referred to as the "initial" members of this family. This leaves the possibility of, say, a Bronco pickup or Bronco BEV in future.

article here
https://www.autonews.com/dealers/ford-plans-bronco...

.

[unsprung]

Yes, there is a history to the brand and expectations to uphold.

Hopefully, Ford won't disappoint us with teething problems

No repeat of the current Lincoln Aviator, which, although quite appealing inside and out, was besieged with an unacceptable number of gremlins upon launch.

[unsprung]

irocfan said:

you mean like with the MustangE?

.


doh!

Yes and no. Bronco is heir to the throne of Bronco-dom. Whereas Mustang Mach-E is merely a cousin of Mustang the coupe. Horses for courses. (a delightful English turn of phrase, by the way)

NB:

Regarding the heritage of off-road prowess: We know that new Bronco will have an independently-sprung front suspension and a solid rear axle. Perhaps the final arrangement will not be too different to the base model of Defender. We must wait and see.

We also know that although Ford endeavour to compete somewhat with Wrangler, Ford intend to carve a distinct position for their vehicle. The emphasis with Bronco is more about proceeding at pace, both on and off road --- and not about rock crawling or going feral at King of the Hammers.