Hindsight is 20/20
We’ve written about the Ford Bronco previously, its thirty-year reign as both a compact and full-size SUV. It hailed from Michigan and was sold all around the world, including South America and Australia. Sadly, only three decades after production began, it was replaced by the Ford Expedition. This is one of the rare vehicles, however, that will be welcomed home to Michigan for another glorious run, starting in 2020. There have been rumors on the internet for years, but Ford has finally confirmed that we will be seeing a new Ford Bronco in just a few years. While we don’t know many details as of yet, there’s a lot of speculation about what we’ll be seeing this time around.
What we do know: the announcement that the Bronco would once again be produced by Ford was made in 2017 at the North American International Auto Show. It will be replacing the Ford Explorer as a mid-size SUV. It will also be produced in its original home of Michigan along with its sibling, the Ford Ranger. It won’t be a repackaged Ford vehicle, either. Assurances have been made by the Ford chief technical officer, Raj Nair, to dealerships and potential customers: this will be an entirely unique vehicle.
The Bronco will likely appeal to the off-roading crowd as an alternative to jeeps such as the Wrangler, as it will have more room, updated technology, and possibly even a hybrid option. These would definitely do well in green-friendly areas like Washington state, Oregon, and Colorado, where a larger number of the population take their environmental concerns into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. They might also appeal to desert state customers who need something rugged for both work and play.
What we can speculate on: the axle configuration, type of engine and transmission, two-door or four-door options, and the possibility of a removable roof and doors. It seems the most desired axle configuration among off-roaders is a live front axle, though this does not seem to fit with Ford’s previous builds of off-road vehicles. There are rumors that the Bronco will be outfitted with a ten-speed automatic transmission, a V6 engine, and that it will be available in both two-door and four-door makes. We don’t know whether it will arrive in late 2019 or early 2020, but it is said that the base model of the new Ford Bronco will start somewhere around $30,000. No word on what types of packages will be offered.
Ford has teased its audience with photos of a covered model of the 2020 Bronco, which has been altered by intrigued fans and designers, as well as a splash page on their website that hints at future announcements. They promise that the Bronco will be “bigger and badder than ever”. It will look modern, but hearken back to its original design. There’s also a social media channel you can follow if you want to keep up with what’s being discussed in regards to production announcements, design reveal, and pricing. You can follow Ford Social or check their website for updates.
