For the Escape-based crossover version, see Ford Bronco Sport.
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| Ford Bronco (U725; 2021) | |
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| Production | 2021–present |
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Ford released its sixth generation Bronco for model year 2021, after a 25-year hiatus of the Bronco nameplate. Styling recalls many elements from the 1966–1977 series, and the design chief's 1976 Bronco was digitally scanned as a reference during the design process. Conceived as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco is offered in a two and four door SUV, each reconfigurable as a convertible. Moreover, just like on a Wrangler, the doors can easily be removed, but unlike the Jeep's, the Bronco's doors are frameless, and with the door-glass wound down, the doors can be carried in dedicated covers, within the vehicle, while riding door-less. A "Bronco" and a "bucking horse" emblem on the tailgate and steering wheel replace the Ford Blue Oval. The Bronco is now a mid-size SUV, bringing its chassis and powertrain closer in size to the Ford Ranger.
Background[]
The potential revival of the Bronco came up in 2016 negotiations between Ford and the UAW.[49][50] At the time, it was discussed that Michigan Assembly would cancel production of the fourth-generation Ford Focus and the C-Max, which would move to Mexico.[49] The UAW ultimately announced the factory would remain open, to be retooled for the revival of the Ford Ranger in North America and the Ford Bronco.[49] The Bronco was developed as Ford expected the Ranger would not be enough to fill factory capacity, and needed a second model to be built alongside it.[51]
While Ford did not share future product plans with the UAW, the company confirmed the return of the Bronco at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.[4][52] Packaged as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, Ford announced two and four-door variants.[53] Intended for a 2021 model year release, the sixth generation would be based on the Ford Ranger, retaining body-on-frame construction.[53] In contrast to the Ford Everest sold overseas, the Bronco would receive a distinct body recalling the first generation with further off-road capability.[53]
Ford showed a pre-production prototype to a group of dealers in March 2019.[54] On November 1, 2019, an announcement was made for a spring 2020 reveal, intended for the 2021 model year.[55] Originally scheduled for a March 2020 unveiling, the Bronco was unveiled on July 13, 2020, following multiple delays, mostly in relation to the global COVID-19 pandemic;[56] Ford unintentionally scheduled the unveiling for July 9 (the date of O.J. Simpson's birthday[57]). On March 27, 2021, at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auto Auction, the first production Bronco, a First Edition, sold for $1,075,000 with all the funds going to a charity Ford helped establish to help preserve forests.[58]
Specifications[]
The standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four that makes 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW) and 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m; 45 kg⋅m) of torque. A 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 is optional; the larger variant makes 330 hp (335 PS; 246 kW) and 415 lb⋅ft (563 N⋅m; 57 kg⋅m) of torque.[61] The 2.7-liter V6 is only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission while the 2.3-liter can be mated with either the 10-speed automatic or a standard 7-speed Getrag manual.[62] Despite the nomenclature, the Getrag transmission is not a true seven-speed transmission, instead being a traditional six-speed unit with a dedicated crawler gear (the "C" on the shift knob) as the "seventh gear".
Recalling the original Bronco Roadster, removable doors with frameless glass combined with a detachable roof allow open-air driving on both two- and four-door models, each with both a 11.6 in (295 mm) ground clearance.[48] Doors can be user-removed and stored in the rear cargo area, and the mirrors are attached to the body cowl instead of on the doors, allowing the user to remove the doors and still have the mirrors attached to the vehicle.[63] The leading edge of the front fenders feature raised black brackets, called trail sights, to facilitate navigation and serve as tie-downs and accessory mounts.[46]
The body-on-frame construction uses front twin A-arm independent suspension and a rear five-link coilover suspension and a solid axle. The optional HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) setup replaces these with position-sensitive Bilstein shocks, with multiple compression and rebound zones, at all four corners. The front sway bar features a hydraulic disconnect to increase articulation when crawling, automatically reconnecting when brought back to speed. An option package, marketed as Sasquatch, includes a mild suspension lift, and 35-inch tires - the largest of any production vehicle besides the upcoming 3rd generation Ford Raptor, which has optional 37-inch tires.
Standard equipment includes Dana axles with front and rear electronic differentials, both user-lockable via dashboard switches. The drivetrain can toggle between 4WD Low, 4WD High, 4WD Automatic, and 2WD High (rear-wheel drive), controlled by a dial near the gear selector rather than a secondary shifter aside the main shift lever.[48]
Optional equipment includes a terrain management system, marketed as "G.O.A.T. Modes" (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain).[64] The system calibrates throttle response, four-wheel drive, traction control, and transmission shifts to maximize traction when offroading. Up to seven modes are available with this system: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand, along with Baja, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. The available Trail One-Pedal Drive automatically applies and holds the brakes when the driver lifts off the gas pedal, removing the need for left-foot braking and preventing unexpected rollbacks. The sixth-generation Bronco also offers Trail Turn Assist, which utilizes the torque-vectoring system to help the vehicle turn in tight offroad corners.
An optional topographical map software, marketed as Trail Maps, allows owners to share smartphone-downloaded topo maps to the vehicle's In-car entertainment system and record videos of trail runs, display telemetry or map data, and upload to the cloud.[65] The sixth generation features a tray that slides from under the rear cargo compartment. An action mount on the front dash to allow for phone and camera mounting, waterproof switches and rubber floors are also available.[66]
Ford Bronco Raptor[]
Ford announced a Raptor trim level for 2022 in a 4-door version only. Developed by Ford Performance, the Bronco Raptor will have a EcoBoost 3.0 TT V6 with a "Baja Mode", the engine specifications will be close to the Lincoln Aviator and the Ford Explorer ST. The vehicle will also have an upgraded cooling system, which would allow the Bronco Raptor to run better in higher temperatures.
The Bronco Raptor is also wider at 85.7 inches (2,180 mm) and sits on a new Fox suspension with 13.1 inches (330 mm) of ground clearance (1.6 inches (41 mm) more than the Bronco with the Sasquatch package). Many other components in the Bronco Raptor have been upgraded or added such as stronger axles, more rigid cross bars, a dual exhaust with several different exhaust modes, 37 inch tires, a higher strength frame, reinforced front bumper, larger drive shafts for increased wheel torque, better brakes (from the F-150 Raptor), Ford nameplate grill (unlike Bronco on other trims), and a tow/haul mode. The Bronco Raptor is capable of towing 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) which is 1,000 pounds (450 kg) more than the standard Bronco. Due to the Bronco Raptor's width, there is additional government-mandated lighting. The interior of the Bronco Raptor is also different from other trims. Unique "code orange" accents and stitching, additional bolstering to the seats with Raptor embroidered stitching, carbon fiber trim, a thicker steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters, a leather stitched dashboard, and a larger center touchscreen.
Trim Levels[]
The Ford Bronco is available in several trim levels:
- The entry-level trim of the Bronco is known as the Base. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Base comes equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) gasoline engine mated to a seven-speed manual transmission, the SYNC 4 eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a six-speaker audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a 4G LTE wireless modem, cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, sixteen-inch (30" tall) tires and silver-painted steel wheels, and keyless entry.
- The Big Bend trim level of the Bronco, available as either a two-door or a four-door model, adds more convenience and styling features to the Base trim, including seventeen-inch (32" tall) tires and Carbonized Gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
- The Black Diamond trim level of the Bronco is marketed as the "rugged" trim level of the Bronco lineup. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Black Diamond adds features to the Big Bend trim such as seventeen-inch black-painted steel wheels, marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, a powder coated steel front bumper with LED front fog lamps and tow hooks, and rubberized flooring with drain plugs.
- The Outer Banks trim level of the Bronco, available as either a two-door or a four-door model, is the luxury-oriented trim level of the Bronco lineup. Added standard equipment to the Big Bend trim level includes eighteen-inch (32" tall) tires and machined-face aluminum-alloy wheels, dual heated front bucket seats, powder coated side steps, and LED front headlamps and fog lamps.
- The Badlands is one of three off-road oriented Bronco trim levels. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Badlands trim adds features onto the Outer Banks trim level such as seventeen-inch (33" tall) tires and Carbonized Gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, additional G.O.A.T. modes for the four wheel drive system, an upgraded suspension system, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, a powder coated steel front bumper with integrated LED front fog lamps and tow hooks, and marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces.
- The Wildtrak is another off-road oriented Bronco trim level. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Wildtrak trim adds features onto the Badlands trim level such as the Sasquatch Package, the 2.7L EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged V6 gasoline engine mated to a tern-speed automatic transmission, a unique front hood graphic, cloth seating surfaces, and dual heated front bucket seats.
- The Everglades trim, available for the 2022 model year and available only as a four-door model, is a special-edition model based on the standard equipment of the rugged Black Diamond trim, but adds unique front fender graphics that double as a depth meter for fording water, unique aluminum-alloy wheels, a heavy-duty modular front bumper, and the SYNC 4A twelve-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 360L.
- The First Edition model, based on the equipment of the Badlands trim and available as either a two-door or a four-door model, was also available for the 2021 model year. Production was initially limited to only 7,000 units, although Ford later increased the amount of First Edition Broncos it would build due to increased demand.
Gallery[]
Bronco 4-door[]
Bronco 2-door[]
Bronco Raptor[]
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