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HomeMediaBronco’s back! In fact, there’s a whole herd of them

Bronco’s back! In fact, there’s a whole herd of them

Ford shares details on its 3-vehicle Bronco family

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Ford is bringing back its Bronco sport utility vehicle, and this time with a three-vehicle “Built Wild” herd of 4x4s that includes a classic 2-door Bronco and the first 4-door Bronco, which also is available in Bronco Sport guise. Production of the new Broncos will begin in early 2021 in Michigan, Ford said.

In addition to revealing the vehicles on July 13, Ford said it was accepting $100 refundable deposits on the new, sixth-generation Broncos. A base price of $29,995 was announced for the 2-door Bronco, and Ford said that price includes $1,495 for destination and delivery charges. Potential buyers can make their deposits through the Ford website.

The new Bronco family includes three different versions

The Broncos will be equipped with EcoBoost engines and will offer 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions, as well what Ford says is “best-in-class” 94.75:1 crawl ratio, ground clearance, suspension travel and water-fording capabilities. 

“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,” Jim Farley, Ford chief operating officer, was quoted in the automaker’s news release. 

“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.”

Broncos will get 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions and standard Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes
Although the Bronco was out of production, as early as 2004 Ford was hinting of its return with this concept version

Ford said the new Broncos will offer an exclusive Terrain Management System that includes G.O.A.T. Modes. That’s G.O.A.T. as in Go Over All Terrain. Settings include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl for off-road driving.

Two 4×4 technologies will be offered, a base setup and an advanced off-road system.  

“The base system utilizes a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, while the optional advanced system features a two-speed electromechanical transfer case that adds an auto mode for on-demand engagement to select between 2H and 4H,” Ford said.

Also available will be what Ford calls the “Trail Toolbox” that includes Trail Control, cruise control for low-speed trail driving; Trail Turn Assist, which tightens turning radiuses through torque vectoring; and Trial One-Pedal Drive, which governs acceleration/braking control for more precise and confident slow-mode rock crawling.

“Similar to the first-generation model, Bronco’s square proportions, short overhangs and wide stance are optimized for off-road adventure,” said Paul Wraith, chief designer. “The side profile features a flat, no-nonsense surface with clear-cut edges and robustly flared fenders. Large, open wheel wells are a modular design with a quick-release attachment for simple customization.”

Engines include a 2.3-liter turbocharged? 4-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque and a 2.7-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

With more than 200 factory-backed accessories available at launch, this 2021 Bronco two-door prototype shows how owners can personalize their SUV to get more out of their outdoor experiences. (Aftermarket accessories shown not available for sale. Prototype not representative of production vehicle.)

In addition to removable roof sections, the doors can be removed for more open-air experience.

“To make post-adventure cleanups simple, fast and painless, select Bronco models come with washable rubberized floors with integrated drains and marine-grade vinyl seating surfaces that resist mildew,” Fords said. “Instrument panel surfaces are wipeable, with seamless silicone rubber on the dash-mounted hero switches, while rubber touchpoints protect against dirt and water.”

The newest and the first Broncos meet on the trail

A feature reflecting the original Bronco are “trail sights” on the front fenders that serve as tie-downs with a 150-pound capacity for securing such things as canoes.

A 12-inch SYNC communications system provides a 360-degree camera system as well as topographic trail maps with more than 1,000 curated trails available.

“The trail mapping system available on Bronco is truly a game-changer in the off-road community,” said Mark Grueber, Ford consumer marketing manager. 

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Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

34 COMMENTS

    • Kim, They are supposed to “start” at $29,995. But I’m betting the “Additional Dealer Mark Up” ( aka; dealer gouging ) will be an additional $5,000 to $10,000. I wish this was illegal but it’s not so it happens all the time if a vehicle is a success. If seriously interested, find an honest (ha ha) dealer and put down a deposit. Or wait till all the excitement stalls and go shopping then.

  1. When it comes to design they miss the mark just like I thought they would it’s a shame really , I’ve waited so long for them to come out with the bronco that I remember when I was a kid , This attempt is goofy looking squared out and boring , with no masculinity in the face the grill area or the headlight area , looks like a four-wheel-drive Volkswagen ! aftermarket pieces and flares & grills & wheels might save it , Oh boy

    • Goat?? Haha yea, i can see mom going to the grocery store then rock crawling and flipping it over. haha Ford, there’s only one GOAT. The Pontiac GTO. The first original muscle car that started it all in 1964. Yea there were earlier muscle cars but they were land yachts with sofas for rear seats.
      You missed the mark on this one Ford. You still retain one of the many acronyms that your cars are famous for. Hahaha

  2. With FORD employees wanting to stop making vehicles for law enforcement I the Bronco fails and FORD goes out of business!! Would not have one if you gave it to me!

  3. Nice article Larry. As for you idiots that want Ford to go out of business; do you really wish that thousands of
    Ford employees and supply chain people lose their jobs? As for the other whiners that don’t like the design, start a car company and make your own. I for one like the look, the technology and would purchase one of these highly tested and refined 4×4 over the over priced and over rated Jeep Wrangler any day if the week. And, just to let you know, my daily driver is a 2000 7.3 4×4 Excursion that I purchased brand new in June 2000. At 8000 pounds is too heavy for off road fun but the new Bronco will be great for hunting and adventure driving.

    • Well said Larry!! Ford has always been the leader in new innovations and is often copied quickly by GM and the rest. I would never own anything but a Ford as I get the most bang for my buck and also a very dependable vehicle. I love that new Bronco!!!!

    • Doug, you are so right man. People who make Irresponsible comments are the reasons why this country is going downhill. I think the bronco is kind of cool looking but don’t get me wrong not all of it it’s cool looking. I’ve even thought about buying one But only if they come out with a V-8 version that is powerful. I’m a Ram fan and I own a new Redeye but my wife wants a Bronco.

  4. Keep the police cars, dump the Bronco. What is it with Ford and boxy cars. Ford Flex as an example. In fact, the Bronco looks like a smaller version of the Flex. Ford, who the hell are your designers. They went from the jelly bean style to cracker box. You would be better off reviving the Crown Victoria of 1956. That had style.

  5. I need to find best place to sell a 77 Bronco.
    Runs great. My husband bought new.
    Have title , original bill of sale, book.
    Has had some restoaration. Original 302.

  6. I was excited to see the full sized Bronco again! Very disappointed! Look at the remake of Mustang, Challenger, Camaro, these are the styles that we want! Today, vehicles have no personality, the cars all look like a Tauruas, you can’t tell what half of them are. Give the consumer what they are looking for not some LSD dream that the designers come up with

    • Thus broco is a remake of the original. It can’t look much more like like gen 1 bronco. How is that a disappointment? It looks great and is better than the jeep performance wise. Yes it doesnot have a v8 but if you wanna drop 75 grand you can get a v8 jeep. There isn’t enough demand for a v8 small suv to.be cheaper

  7. I’m usually not an suv guy but I like this new Bronco! I’ll take a 2-door with the manual transmission and as few options as possible!
    I have to admit I’m not real crazy about the looks but it is distinctive and you won’t mistake it for anything else on the market today. I just hope that manual transmission makes its way to the next generation Ranger!

    • I’m with you, JDM. 4-banger with manual, ready to hit the trail. I’ll withhold judgment on its appearance until I see it in person. Looks a bit cartoonish in the photos, but I generally like the purposeful styling.

  8. How much you want to bet any available with the manual are only offered with the low power engine and stripped of options. I don’t think any car manufacturers want to sell manuals so they make them so unappealing nobody buys them.

    At least the Honda Civic Si is an unabashed manual transmission driver’s car.

    • Actually manuals don’t have high demand so they don’t waste money making alot. It costs money to make thenfew happy. I love manuals but most people my age can’t even drive them. Heck many older people don’t or can’t. There are older vehicles with manuals and you can get the 2.3 with all options with the manual and it is still capable

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