Ford, the evening of July 13th, revealed the long-awaited and long-teased 2021 Bronco and smaller Bronco Sport. Bronco, now a family of two-door and four-door “Built Wild” off roaders, has available the following features you and your loan officer need to know about:
- As the flagship “Of a new all-4×4 family of rugged SUVs”, this leaves the door open for further model expansion, like the rumored pickup.
- EcoBoost engine and “Segment-exclusive 7-speed manual transmission and available 35-inch tires… with available best-in-class 94.75:1 crawl ratio, ground clearance, suspension travel and water fording capabilities, plus breakover and departure angles”.
- Both models offer quick-release roof panels and doors, and provide over 200 accessories at a base MSRP of $29,995 including destination and delivery (which would be $1,495).
- Both can be equipped with what Ford, actually the brand is Bronco, says is “Available cutting-edge off-road drive technologies” and you can share your exploits, pre and post, on social media with “Segment-exclusive digital trail mapping”.
Production begins early next year and Jim Farley, Ford chief operating officer says “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.” Gotta mention DNA in every press release, it’s a rule!
Ford is using the acronym, “GOAT”, or “Goes Over Any Type of Terrain” to describe the vehicle’s off-road prowess. Bronco will offer two 4X4 systems, base and advanced with “Up to seven driver-selectable modes …including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl for off-road driving.” How did we prior to electronic intervention get us up difficult hills?
Base uses a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, the advanced model a two-speed electromechanical case with auto mode for 2H/4H switching. The cool stuff is “Dana™ 44 AdvanTEK® solid rear axles and a Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit – both with available Spicer® Performa-TraK™ electronic locking differentials”. Really, truly cool, and we are eager to get our hills under its tires!!!
Bronco delivers an open challenge to other off roaders with a 11.6-inch ground clearance, 29-degree breakover and 37.2-degree departure angles plus the ability to ford water up to 33.5-inches. The 7-speed manual is accompanied by a 10-speed automatic, coupled to either a 2.3L EcoBoost four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque or 2.7-liter V-6 knocking out 310 horsepower and 400 torques.
According to Bronco, and Ford, “Series range from a base Bronco, a no-frills SUV for those who want to customize their own, to Big Bend™, Black Diamond™ and Outer Banks™ with a variety of options and colors, topping out with Wildtrak™ and Badlands™ for more extreme off-road adventuring. A limited-production First Edition™ will be offered at launch.”
Bronco Sport Is Back
Ford Bronco Sport, smaller and promised to have the same “Goes Over Any type of Terrain” ruggedness, Is far more lifestyle oriented than Bronco. Powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost (245/275) or 1.5-liter EcoBoost (181/190), it also is only available in 4×4 and uses a twin-clutch rear drive unit with lockable differential. This means, of course, that it’s primarily a FWD vehicle and “Every inch of it was designed and engineered with weekend adventurers in mind”, according to former engineer (known for leading design, development and launch of the 2005 Mustang), now chief product development officer Hau Thai-Tang.
- Able to transport two mountain bides in cargo area, two riders up front
- 100+ factory-backed aftermarket accessories
- Five trim levels: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands and First Edition
- Up to seven G.O.A.T. modes available including “Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand; Mud/Ruts and RockCrawl modes are available on Badlands and First Edition.”
- Badlands and First edition use unique front struts with hydraulic rebound stops, 46-mm monotube dampers, softer springs and anti-roll bars
- Available front camera with lens washer serves as a spotter, Trail Control enables 20 mph forward and 6 mph reverse “cruise control.”
- Four steel under-body plates and frame mounted front tow hooks
For 100 bucks you can reserve yours at Ford.com.
