New Ford Bronco
Ford’s Jeep rival revived
It has never been made available here (some were imported, though) but many South Africans will remember the Ford Bronco for the sedate police chase of a white 1993 model carrying American football star O.J. Simpson down a Los Angeles Interstate …
This “chase” in June 1994, watched by an estimated audience of 95 million people, was described as “the most famous ride on American shores since Paul Revere’s” and while the model gained sudden popularity as a result, Ford discontinued the Bronco range two years later.
However, this was not because of the famous chase but due to Ford making room for larger family SUVS such as the Explorer and Expedition to compete with larger models from GM and Chev, as sales of the smaller, two-door Bronco was already waning.
Now the Bronco is back, and the allnew outdoor family of SUVS – much like the original range introduced in 1966 – include a two-door and a rugged, small SUV (Bronco Sport) but also the firstever Bronco four-door model, all with standard 4×4 drive. However, the range has only been confirmed for left-handdrive production.
Ranger based
The two- and four-door off-road variants are based on the Ford Ranger T6 ladderframe platform and with removable roofs and doors, they are direct rivals to the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota Land Cruiser 70. The smaller, less off-road-oriented SUV built on the Ford Escape (Kuga) platform, is aimed at the Land Rover Defender (to a degree) and Chinese models such as the BAIC B40.
In terms of size and application, the shorter wheelbase two-door Bronco will challenge the Wrangler Sahara, with the four-door (seating five) taking on the
Unlimited version. Like the Wrangler, the Ford is equipped with Dana 44 locking differentials front and rear but, its front suspension is independent, similar to the Ranger Raptor, yet unlike the Wrangler.
As the Ranger, the Bronco uses a live rear axle setup but the Fox shock absorbers as used in the Raptor are replaced by position-sensitive Bilstein dampers. It also uses a hydraulically powered disconnecting sway bar (as found on the Wrangler Rubicon) to increase off-road articulation.
The Bronco is also available with factory-fitted 35-inch tyres and this, together with its bespoke suspension and short body overhangs gives the Bronco a full 294 mm of ground clearance, with a 43.2° approach, 29° ramp-over, and 37.2° departure angle – endowing it with serious off-road capability.
This is also enhanced by the new GOAT Terrain Management System, allowing seven settings for sand, mud, rock crawling (with best-in-class 94.75:1 crawl ratio), and high-speed jumping modes, as well as Trail Control – cruise control for low-speed trail driving, Trail Turn Assist for tighter off-road turning, and Trail One-pedal Drive control for more precise slow-mode crawling.
Ecoboost engines
Available only with Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engines (no diesel option), the flagship models will be powered by a 2.7-litre V6 delivering a projected 231 kw and 542 Nm of torque or the 2.3-litre, four-cylinder with an expected 201 kw and 420 Nm of torque.
The V6 is coupled to a Selectshift 10-speed auto or first-in-class seven-speed manual gearbox with low-range transfer case. Two 4×4 systems are offered, with the base setup utilising a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, while the optional advanced system
features a two-speed electro mechanical transfer case.
Styling-wise the Bronco draws heavily on its heritage. Similar to the original model it has square proportions, short overhangs, and a wide stance. Its flat side profile has clear-cut edges, flared fenders, and large open wheel wells. The front is dominated by round lights and a Broncoemblazoned grille.
The hardtop’s rear quarter windows are removable without removing the roof panels and a cloth soft top, standard on four-door models, has a unique tilt-up function. Every Bronco comes with removable frameless doors that can be stored on-board.
Inside, the instrument panel is inspired by the first-generation model with a multifunction colour LCD instrument panel dominating and the transmission selector and GOAT Modes controller situated in the centre console. Off-road tracks can be downloaded, charted, recorded, or shared via the infotainment display and over 200 aftermarket accessories are also available.
Sport SUV
The smaller Bronco Sport SUV expands the rugged family of 4×4-only vehicles with five trim models – Base, Big Bend, Outer
Banks, Badlands, and First Edition – and of these, the Badlands and First Edition boats an advanced 4×4 system with classexclusive twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a diff-lock feature.
The two top derivatives are powered by a two-litre Ecoboost engine that produces a targeted 182 kw and 372 Nm of torque. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks series feature the proven 1.5-liter Ecoboost engine with a targeted 135 kw and 257 Nm of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed auto with Selectshift for the Badlands and First Edition.
Its safari-style roof enables good headroom and a cargo area high enough to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and more than 100 aftermarket accessories are available to transport gear. It also has a slide-out working table, plus a 400-watt inverter and liftgate floodlamps.
No right-hand-drive?
With the Bronco two-door and fourdoor models sharing their underpinnings with the Ranger pickup, why would Ford not consider right-hand-drive derivatives? Well, with Bronco not earmarked for Europe and the United Kingdom, Detroit probably considered demand from other RHD markets such as Australia and South
Africa too small to justify the cost to produce right-hand-drive models.
This is somewhat ironic, as the Bronco’s Ranger-derived platform was developed in Australia … and interestingly, the third generation Bronco was assembled in Australia from 1981 to 1987. The fact that the range is only available with petrol power (Australia and South Africa prefer diesel 4×4s) may also have played a role. Even so, there are compelling arguments for right-hand-drive production:
With Ford of Southern Africa already producing Ranger in RHD- and Lhd-format, development costs of an RHD version should be less. Also, with the Bronco conceived primarily to take on Wrangler, it should be made available in all markets where its major Jeep competitor is present.
Jeep has been available in Rhdmarkets for decades, and the new Wrangler, recently introduced to South Africa, is currently only available with petrol power. With the Ranger Raptor’s twin-turbo diesel engine available, developing a Bronco derivative should be possible. Finally, limited production of such a model in the Silverton plant (for RHD export as well) can contribute to better productivity and profitability …