Automakers like to say they listen to the voice of the customer. Well, turns out Ford is doing just that with its announcement that it will, indeed, offer a 7-speed manual transmission in its new Bronco off-roader.
The manual gearbox, another shot in the Ford v Jeep off-road rivalry, will be offered in the high-performance off-road Sasquatch package on all 2- and 4-door models, Ford said.
Seven-speed manuals are featured in some exotic sports cars. It may be that Ford’s version for the Bronco will be geared especially for dealing with such off-road obstacles as rock crawling and other challenges.
“The Bronco community spoke and we heard them,” Mark Grueber, Ford Bronco consumer marketing manager, is quoted in the announcement. “Our team moved quickly to add Sasquatch with a manual transmission – another example of our focus on giving customers the best possible off-road vehicles and accessories that we can.”
Ford also said it will increase production of the Sasquatch package, “the only 4×4 with a 7-speed manual and 35-inch off-road tires in its class.”
“While other brands save their best hardware for premium series models, Bronco is making off-road capability a priority across every two- and four-door trim level with the available Sasquatch package,” the company added.
“Checking the Sasquatch box adds class-first 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, Dana front and rear electronic locking axles with 4.7:1 final drive ratio, and high-clearance suspension with a nearly two-inch wider track, position-sensitive Bilstein shocks and wider fender flares.”
Ford said the Sasquatch package will be available across the Bronco lineup, from Base to Badlands, and will be standard equipment on Wildtrak and First Edition models.
However, the manual gearbox will not be available until late 2021, the company noted.
For more information, visit the Ford Bronco website.
If I have my guess they’ll only offer the manual with the smallest engine available, so not a big deal.
I don’t know that for sure, but I’ll be very surprised if it’s available with any engine option.
I really am excited about the new Bronco style with its own nostalgic look even without the 7-speed transmission. I’m looking forward to seeing it on the road and test driving one when I can.
Yup, the small engine, IFS front end and no V-8 engine option. Recently, they were on the famous Rubicon, many failures we were told at our 4wd meeting. Time will tell, but, the price!!!! I sure don’t know who can afford them , but, I bet after the second year , sales will slow dramatically….. As did the retro t-bird…