BUILT WILD: Ford reveals new Bronco as Jeep rival
Ford has finally unveiled the all-new 2021 Ford Bronco, 24 years after it was last available and about a decade after plotting its revival. It is set to rival the Jeep Wrangler which currently dominates the off-road market in the United States.
The all-new Bronco can be had in two body styles: a classic two-door, and four-door version. Just like the first-generation Bronco, nicknamed G.O.A.T., the mission of the all-new 2021 Bronco is to deliver maximum 4×4 go-anywhere, anytime capability and confidence. Bronco incorporates off-road mapping and drive technologies to give novice adventurers as much fun as hard-core off-road experts, while its Built Wild durability makes for lasting performance in the harshest of conditions for generations to come.
“We created the Bronco family to elevate every aspect of off-road adventure and equipped them with class-leading chassis hardware and exclusive technologies to raise the bar in the rugged 4×4 segment and take people further into the wild,” said Jim Farley, Ford chief operating officer. “They’re built with the toughness of an F-Series truck and performance spirit of Mustang – and come wrapped in one of the most stunning and functional off-road designs that’s true to the original Bronco design DNA.”
On the outside, the all-new Bronco gets a retro-inspired look just like what we saw when the Toyota FJ Cruiser was launched many years ago. The boxy-shaped body and round headlights are undeniably modernized classic design cues. It can also be specified with removable panels which will allow open-air off-road fun just like in the Jeep Wrangler. Doors, windows, and the roof can all be removed. A soft top is standard on the four-door version but it can also be specced with a removable hard top.
Just like the exterior, the interior also gets a retro-inspired design. Everything on the dashboard is squared-off and rectangular. Materials are also chosen for when the vehicle is used in adventures. Washable rubber flooring throughout the cabin and cargo area, easy-to-clean cloth seating surfaces and silicone-sealed control switches will make it easier to clean the interior of the Bronco. For stowage of wet, icy or muddy gear, an available storage bin is located below the second-row passenger-side seat. In the center is a 12-inch Ford SYNC4 touchscreen infotainment system.
Under the hood, the all-new Bronco is available with the choice of two different EcoBoost powertrains. The first option is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making 270 hp and 420 Nm of torque. The second option is a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 which makes 310 hp and 542 Nm of torque. Both can be paired to either a 10-speed automatic or a segment first 7-speed manual transmission. A 4×4 drivetrain is standard as expected.
The Bronco should be very capable for high-speed off-roading as it comes with an independent front suspension for improved control, confidence and comfort. At the rear, a rugged solid axle design featuring coil springs with five locating links delivers both strength and off-road control. Long-travel position-sensitive Bilstein dampers with end-stop control valves at every corner are available for added off-road durability and reduced harshness. An available segment-exclusive semi-active hydraulic stabilizer bar disconnect design provides maximum articulation and increased ramp angle index for off-camber terrain. This innovative system disconnects during articulation and can reconnect under all conditions to improve steering and stability at higher speeds.
Segment-first 35-inch off-road tires direct from the factory are available on every trim level of two- and four-door Bronco, while available segment-first beadlock-capable wheels allow customers to elevate off-road capability. In addition, Ford says the Bronco has a 29-degree break-over angle, a 37.2-degree departure angle, and a water wading capacity of 851 millimeters.
For now, the 2021 Ford Bronco is only available in the United States and dealers can now begin accepting orders for the new model. As for the Philippines, we don’t know but it is a possibility considering the rising popularity of off-road vehicles and adventures in the country. If demand is high in our market then Ford Philippines could definitely try as they always say that they do listen to what their customers want.
Images from Ford.
