Ford has announced the 2021 arrival of Bronco in the Middle East. The all-new family of rugged off-road vehicles will first introduce a classic two-door and the first-ever four-door to wear the badge.
For those who need to know the plot, Bronco is to Ford what Wrangler is to Jeep – an all 4×4 range that describes itself as Built Wild™. But through the years, the story has changed a bit. Ford Bronco was the first sport-utility vehicle built by Ford from 1965 to 1996. Starting off as an off-road vehicle somewhat like the compact Wrangler, the Bronco moved on to resemble trucks like the F-series or the Ram. From 1984 to 1990, Ford Bronco II assumed the shape of a compact SUV based on Ford Ranger until demand for two-door SUVs starting declining. Now, after 25 years, the badge will make a return in 2021 as a challenger model to the Jeep Wrangler.
Bronco has a heritage-inspired style, tough engineering and smart off-road technology, plus innovative features to help outdoor enthusiasts create adventures in the most remote corners of the world. According to Jim Farley, Ford chief operating officer, “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.”
1966 Bronco
4×4 capability for all levels
The first-generation Bronco was nicknamed G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Terrain). Flashing on mind: picture of off-road vehicles sticking their neck on hilltops like mountain goats. The mission of the all-new 2021 Bronco is to deliver maximum 4×4 go-anywhere features. Up to seven driver-selectable modes are offered including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl for off-road driving. Bronco has off-road mapping and drive technologies to give overgrown boy scouts as much fun as seasoned off-roaders.
“Bronco’s advanced four-wheel-drive technology is at the core of its off-road capabilities, and at the heart of it all is Bronco’s exclusive Terrain Management System™ with G.O.A.T. Modes™ designed to help drivers better navigate any type of terrain,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco consumer marketing manager.
1966 Bronco 2 door SUV style
Capable Drive System
Two 4×4 systems are offered on all Bronco models, a base setup and an advanced 4×4. 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 to select between 2H and 4H when you want. Power is distributed to a Dana™ 44 AdvanTEK® solid rear axle and Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit – both with available Spicer® Performa-TraK™ electronic locking differentials for improved traction over rough terrain.
A segment-first Trail Toolbox is available, which has technologies similar to the top off-road performers in this market. Trail Control™ – cruise control for low-speed trail driving; Trail Turn Assist – tightens off-road turning radiuses through torque vectoring; Trail One-Pedal Drive – acceleration/braking control for more precise slow-mode rock crawling.
1984 Bronco II
Off-road credentials
Ford says the off-road capabilities of Bronco are stretched to segment-leading levels.
Best-in-class ground clearance – 295 mm (11.6-inch) (that is close to a foot! For comparison Nissan Patrol Y61 has 220 mm, Land Cruiser has 226 mm and Jeep Wrangler has 274 mm) / Breakover angle: maximum 29-degree / Departure angle: 37.2-degree / Water fording capability: best-in-class 33.5 inches (851 mm) In comparison, the new Land Rover Defender has a wading depth of 900 mm, Ford Ranger has 800mm andToyota Land Cruiser 700mm.
Exposed tow hooks in the front and rear, and available heavy-duty modular steel bumpers with integrated Ford performance accessory winch mount pronounce the readiness for anything. The fully boxed, high-strength steel chassis delivers best-in-class suspension travel as an option – 17 percent over the closest competitor, Ford claims.
Bronco comes with 35-inch off-road tires and an independent front suspension for improved control and comfort and a rugged solid axle design in the rear, featuring coil springs with five locating links. Long-travel position-sensitive Bilstein dampers with end-stop control valves at every corner are available for added off-road durability and reduced harshness.
Designing a legendary profile
The reincarnation of the brand began in a Ford design studio with a life-size digital scan of a first-generation model that served to influence the proportions and design of the all-new Bronco for maximum off-road capability and performance. “Similar to the first-generation model, Bronco’s square proportions, short overhangs and wide stance are optimized for off-road adventure,” said Paul Wraith, Bronco 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…” The clever building rules have made space for simple customisation.
Accessories: What do adventure junkies do to their wild ponies (a Bronco is a half-tamed or wild horse if you didn’t know!) when they aren’t having an adventure together? Accessorise of course! Bronco owners will have more than 200 factory-backed accessories to do that and dealers will provide outfitting-on-demand for each customer’s whims and adventure needs.
Prototype version of a 2021 Bronco four-door model. (Static display on private property with aftermarket accessories not available for sale.)
Bronco on EcoBoost
Bronco runs on race-bred EcoBoost® engines and a segment-first 7-speed manual gearbox. A SelectShift® 10-speed automatic transmission is also available. Ford projects Bronco to have 310 horsepower and 542 N-m of torque with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is expected to deliver 270 horsepower and four-cylinder torque of 502 N-m. Ford press note referes to these figures as best in class.
For maximum low-speed rock-climbing capability, the 7-speed (6+1) manual gearbox offer a crawler-gear ratio of 94.75:1 while the automatic offers a maximum 67.8:1 crawl ratio with the available advanced 4×4 transfer case.
Detachable doors and removable roofs
Bronco two-door and four-models offer various ways to enjoy the open-air experience with segmented roofs that are easily detached. The rear quarter windows of all modular hardtops also can be easily removed without removing the roof panels. For customers who don’t want to choose between a soft or hardtop, the four-door model can be optioned with both. Bronco models have frameless doors that can be removed and on four-door versions, all doors can be stored onboard with protective door bags. Cowl-mounted mirrors maintain sideview visibility when the doors are removed.
Prototype version of the all-new 2021 Bronco interior is highlighted by an available 12-inch SYNC® 4 system, optional leather trim seating, console-mounted transmission shifter/selector and G.O.A.T. Modes™ control knob. (features accessories not available on sale)
Cabin tech and safety for the outdoors
Bronco has available segment-exclusive 12-inch SYNC® 4 system with over-the-air updates and seamless integration to the FordPass Performance app with off-road navigation – a Bronco class-exclusive feature that allows owners to easily plan, navigate and share their off-road adventures. The SYNC system also displays the available 360-degree camera system with class-exclusive off-road spotter views to provide additional visibility in technical pursuits such as rock crawling.
Bronco’s advanced topographic trail maps and more than 1,000 curated trail maps are powered by class-exclusive trail content from NeoTreks’ AccuTerra® Maps, Trails Offroad trail guides and FunTreks trail guides.
To make post-adventure cleanups simple and fast, select Bronco models come with washable rubberized floors with integrated drains and marine-grade vinyl seating surfaces that resist mildew, wipeable instrument panel surfaces, silicone rubber on switches and rubber touchpoints.
A modern high-strength steel roll cage with integrated side curtain airbags in the upper structure and seats complements driver and front passenger airbags. Available Ford Co-Pilot360™ driver-assist technologies plus standard AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and Trailer Sway Control make driving easier and more stable.
Like the five generations so far, the all-new 2021 Bronco two-door and four-door models will be built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan alongside the Ford Ranger. If Bronco has whetted your appetite for adventure, tune in for more details closer to launch. Ford plans to begin production in early 2021 and have them at Ford dealerships in the second half of the year. The price begins at just above AED 110,000.
Cover image: Pre-production versions of the 2021 Bronco – two-door version in Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat and Bronco four-door in Cactus Gray.
