By Kamil Kaluski
Ford’s worst kept secret is the upcoming Ford Bronco. Like it’s the 1990s, it will come in two flavors, or rather two sizes. To call them full-size and mid-size would be wrong but we can say that one, the bigger one, will be a body-on-frame design and will come in two- and for-door versions, and will have a removable top.
The details on the smaller Bronco, known unofficially as the Baby Bronco, which will officially be called the Bronco Sport (many smaller SUV versions of their bigger counterparts are called Sport for some reason) have been sketchy so far. But now broncosportforum.com obtained an imagine of what looks to be a production version without any disguise. And it looks great!
The Bronco Sport is rumored to be based on the Ford Escape. So it will basically be what we call now a cross-over, or a CUV. And that’s fine, as the new Escape is a fine vehicle, but it won’t have a removable top like its bigger sibling. A key to visually spotting this is the five-bolts wheel pattern – the bigger Bronco will get six-bolts pattern wheels, among a completely different everything.
We love its looks, question the “vinyl roof“, and wonder about the shiny highway tires. While the world is full of CUVs, few are themed in a desired off-road-y style. Toyota is trying with the RAV4 TRD Off-Road model and Jeep with its Trailhawk versions. But none of those are dedicated models like the Bronco will be.
Head over to broncosportforum.com forums to see more pictures.
Ross Ballot
I dig it! Excited to see how this all goes as a Ford fan, but current Wrangler owner.
Looks neatly proportioned – simplicity is often the way to go in car design, too. But that engine bay is high up and difficult to access, and why would manufacturers still make hoods without telescopic lifters? Strange.
The prop rod is cheaper and will last the life of the vehicle.
Fair point, but on our 20 year old Camry, it’s working just fine still. And I really appreciate the saved seconds for fluid checks and bulb changes.
Oh I prefer gas struts, or good old springs, but I have had to replace the struts on some of my cars and did it on a lot of customer cars back in the day too.
What Scoutdude said, somewhere in Dearborn, an MBA struck again, and earned their yearly bonus with that decision.
Lower it, remove the chunky roof rack, paint it one color and make it the wagon it really wants to be.
It’s not bad looking. With a tweak here or there it could pass as the next permutation of a Land Rover.
The C pillar design looks like an afterthought. Doesn’t look right for the car.
You’re right, I am seeing the sedan angle first now. How odd!
You’re right, I am seeing the sedan angle first now. How odd!
Lower it, remove the chunky roof rack, paint it one color and make it the
wagonsedan it really wants to be.With that design, you’re far less likely to smack yourself with the upper corner of the door frame while opening it and trying to get around it in tight quarters.
I kinda joke about the lowering, chopping and making it into a wagon. Kinda.
But it seems to me that this is the strategy for Ford: create sub-brands such as Mustang, Bronco, Taurus(?) or whatever else, and have different variations on each that includes differing sizes and demographic targets with unified styling elements as the key connection. Thereby the Mustang sub-brand has the OG Mustang, the electric CUV, perhaps something else. The Bronco sub-brand has the 2- and 4-door full size Bronco plus the smaller CUV version seen here, perhaps something else, etc…
If this is the plan, then it just might work and could be brilliant. I’m not sure I trust that Ford actually had a long-range goal such as this when they axed the cars in favor of all-SUV-all-the-time, but who knows…
The new Escape is basically already a Fusion wagon.
Someday, I’m going to lower my ’05 4 cyl, FWD, manual transmission Escape and make it so. It already has Fusion wheels so I’m pretty much 80% there.
It’s actually a tall “Focus wagon”– they share C2 architecture. The Fusion is on the larger CD4 platform. Regardless, your point is valid and supports Hatch’s theory.
Fair point, I just happened to drive one back to back with a Fusion, and the generous interior volume is well removed from the intimate (to try and put a nice spin on it) confines of the old Focus.
Looks like there is enough empty space under the hood to have a frunk. Maybe store the spare there lol
Given today’s growth of cars, downsizing of engines, and small temporary spare tires, it’s only a matter of time.
Hmm…
Reminds me of the LR Freelander, which is a design that’s old enough to look dated, but not retro-chic. And the Escape on which the Bronco Sport is based is essentially just a tall Focus. So, “meh”, and “meh”. I think I’ll reserve enthusiasm for the real Bronco, not the marketing appetizer.
https://media.autoexpress.co.uk/image/private/s–ffREtg-A–/v1562245508/autoexpress/2017/11/ao0x1515.jpg
Reminds me of the LR Freelander, which is a design that’s old enough to look dated, but not retro-chic. And the Escape on which the Bronco Sport is based is essentially just a tall Focus. So, “meh”, and “meh”. I think I’ll reserve enthusiasm for the real Bronco, not the marketing appetizer.
https://media.autoexpress.co.uk/image/private/s–ffREtg-A–/v1562245508/autoexpress/2017/11/ao0x1515.jpg