A legend in its time, the Ford Bronco is set to return to the market in 2020. This iconic SUV was one of the leading vehicles from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, and the new model is expected to bring modern vehicle technology to a rugged trucklike body for all-around utility use. Ford announced the Bronco’s return at the North American International Auto Show, but many of its details are still under wraps. Here’s what we know about the upcoming 2020 Ford Bronco so far.
Configurations
Among the biggest advantages to the new Bronco is its removable roof and doors, making it one of the most versatile SUVs on the road. The mirrors will likely mount to the A-pillars, so removing the doors won’t require remounting the mirrors to be legal.
Ford also has a prototype for a two-door, short-wheelbase model, which will be available alongside a conventional four-door model. The overall styling is rugged and boxy, with a tapered roof and a spare wheel mounted in the back that resembles a Wrangler. It also has the retro styling of the ‘60s Broncos, complete with a rectangular grille, round headlights, and a square profile.
Ranger Inspiration
At the same time, Ford announced the return of the Bronco, it also announced the return of the Ranger. The T6 Ford Ranger for international markets, the 2019 Ford Ranger for U.S. and Canadian markets, and the Ford Everest for international markets are all based on the same unibody platform. It’s also been confirmed that the Ranger and the Bronco will share a platform, a fully boxed frame, that will likely make the Bronco tougher than comparable SUVs. The Bronco slots below the Expedition, which is the only remaining body-on-frame platform SUV in the lineup.
It’s also possible the Bronco will get the Ranger’s Ford 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four that produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Still, there’s also a possibility of the Bronco receiving a seven-speed manual transmission that pairs to the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, which is also used for the Edge. This engine produces 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It’s also likely that there will be a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder option.
Hybrid Version
Ford is working hard to electrify many of its vehicles, and there are numerous all-electric vehicles and hybrids in progress. The Bronco is one of those vehicles, though we can only speculate on what that drivetrain will look like. The Explorer Hybrid uses a 3.3-liter V-6 with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission, so that offers an idea of what the Bronco may include.
Compact Sibling
With Jeep as the main competitor, Ford is discussing the release of a rugged compact SUV as a smaller sibling to the Bronco. This will be based on the unibody front-wheel-drive platform of the Ford Focus, designed as a direct rival to the Jeep Renegade. Ford executives expect the smaller Bronco sibling to hit the market a few months prior to the full-sized Bronco.
image from ford.com
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