Here is finally the new Ford Bronco or, mallet, the new Bronco family as the Blue Oval House took advantage of the global mega-launch event organized with Disney to unveil in one fell swoop three different models, the Bronco 2-door ( direct heir of the first SUV of 1965), the 4-door Bronco which will be the 'center' of the commercial offensive and the Bronco Sport, with a more traditional look and architecture. A strategy, that of Ford, which is now clearly outlined in all its importance, given that the three Bronco will serve - from the spring of 2021 with a price that in the US starts from $ 29,995 - to attack the vast market of SUVs, from the familiar ones to the 'hard and pure' ones and in particular the range consisting of Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator. All with important expectations in terms of commercial results, with the aim of replicating the success of the F150 pick-ups, the best-selling in the United States, and also to look at those export markets that - at the moment - see the dominance of Japanese off-road. Bronco 2-door and 4-door promises, moreover, to have off-road qualities at the highest levels, to match (and Ford hopes to overcome) even the direct rivals. '' We created the Bronco family to improve every aspect of off-road adventure and equip these vehicles with a class-leading chassis and exclusive technologies to raise the bar in the toughest 4x4 segment - said Jim Farley, Ford's chief operating officer - and transport people in total freedom. They are built with the robustness of a F-Series truck and the performance spirit of a Mustang - and are dressed in a bodywork faithful to the original DNA of the Bronco. ''
Just like the first-generation Bronco - nicknamed Goat which means not only goat but also 'Go over any terrain' - the mission of the brand new Bronco 2021 is to offer maximum 4x4 capabilities anywhere, anytime and in complete safety. And Bronco exhibits the Built Wild label that Ford coined (and patented) to promise behavior and solidity capable of lasting over time. The strong point of Bronco architecture is a separate high-strength steel frame, a solution similar to that of Jeep Wrangler / Gladiator but more conservative than the load-bearing body of Land Rover Defender.
Bronco debuts with powerful EcoBoost 2.3 4-cylinder 270 HP and 2.7 V6 310 HP engines. coupled with a 7-speed manual gearbox (segment exclusive) or a 10-speed automatic. The transmission management system includes two 4x4 systems: a basic configuration with 2-speed electronic transfer and an advanced 4x4 with electromechanical transfer and selection between 2H and 4H. The torque is transferred to the ground through a scheme that off-road purists like very much, that is, two Dana AdvanTEK axles, the front axle with independent wheels and the rigid rear axle, with Spicer Performa-TraK locking. The driving dynamics control system (called Goat Controller) offers up to seven driver-selectable modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud / Ruts and Rock Crawl specific for off-road driving. Among the other peculiarities of Bronco stand out the large tires (which can reach 35 inches) and the features that make it suitable for the most demanding routes, such as the free height from the ground (29.5 cm), the suspension travel and the ability to ford (85 cm), beyond the angles of hump (29 degrees) and attack (37.2 degrees). Needless to say, the look is strongly inspired by the legendary DNA of the first Bronco and the different generations that followed it. '' Bronco's square proportions, short overhangs and well-grounded posture are optimized for off-road adventure - explained Paul Wraith, head of Bronco's design - The side profile has a flat, no-frills surface with edges sharp and flared fenders. And the large wheel arches have a modular design with a quick release attachment to facilitate customization. ''
Inside, the dashboard is inspired by the first generation model, with pressure gauges and controls that are clearly visible and intuitive. The only concession to modernity is the 12-inch central display that allows you to view, with over-the-air updates, an exclusive off-road navigation system that in the USA is based on 1,000 off-road maps, with NeoTreks' AccuTerra content and guides for FunTreks trails. In addition to the functionality of the coverings and for some 'cunning', such as the opener built into the tailgate, Bronco offers a really interesting novelty: it is an adjustable rail to be fixed on the upper part of the dashboard, to fix the supports of GoPro smartphones and cameras .