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Community Question: What Engines Should The Future Ford Bronco Offer?

As we reported earlier this week, during a discussion of Ford’s decision to ramp-up production in Mexico, a UAW-Ford Plant Manager let slip that the Ford Ranger mid-size truck and a brand-new Ford Bronco SUV are indeed coming to the automaker’s Michigan Assembly Plant.

The Ford Bronco’s return from extinction – not to mention the Ranger’s homecoming after years of being sold just about everywhere-but-here – isn’t exactly a foreign concept to anyone that’s been following the news, but this is the first real confirmation we’ve had that the murmurings were correct. This, of course, has us excitedly pondering what the new, North American-market Ford Bronco might look like.

Common sense says that the reborn Bronco would arrive as a mid- or full-size SUV with body-on-frame construction, built on the same platform as the next Ford Ranger (which, we presume, isn’t about to become a unibody à la Honda Ridgeline). We can only hope it’s given an appropriately square, brawny shape, paying tribute to the original Ford Bronco without looking too obviously like a retro-modern throwback.

But what about engines? The current Ranger T6 is powered by a choice of either 2.2-liter or 3.2-liter Duratorq diesel engines, the latter of which has already been federalized for the US-market Ford Transit (rebranded as a “Power Stroke” unit). The Ranger-based Everest SUV, which is offered in some Asia-Pacific markets and may set the pace for the next Ford Bronco, offers the same two options.

And of course, there’s always the possibility that Ford could offer the same 3.0-liter “Lion” diesel V6 expected to arrive in the Ford F-150 within the next several years.

But if there’s one thing that can be said about Ford, it’s that the automaker seems to take pleasure in putting its turbocharged EcoBoost engines in things. We ourselves wouldn’t be surprised to see the company’s 2.7-liter – and maybe even 3.5-liter – EcoBoost V6 mills make an appearance under the bonnet of the new Ford Bronco.

What about you? What engines do you think Ford is likely to drop in the forthcoming Ranger-based SUV in North America? Let us know in the poll below.

Aaron Brzozowski is a writer and motoring enthusiast from Detroit with an affinity for '80s German steel. He is not active on the Twitter these days, but you may send him a courier pigeon.

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Comments

  1. Due to the very strict and getting stricter CAFE standards, I am guessing just a turbo 4, gas only. I doubt any V6’s or diesels, forget about a V8. If it was up to customers, I am guessing Ford would offer all those engines. But its not up to customers or even Ford anymore.

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    1. Thank you – everyone seems to forget about CAFE.

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  2. Maybe the 2.3 litre EcoBoost would be great as the base engine paired with the Ford/GM 10 speed auto. Maybe the 3.2 Duratorq would be great for higher-end models again with the 10 speed auto. Guess we will have to wait and see.

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    1. 5.0 just because.

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      1. Don’t see a V8 model in my opinion. They might be dead by then for Ford. The 3.7L non-turbo V6 might be a cool idea.

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        1. I know theres very little chance of a V8 Bronco but Ford is invested in the Coyote. 67% of f150s are sold with a V6 yes, but 33% for the V8 is pretty good considering there are 3 V6 options and only one V8.

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    2. If this is suppose to go against the Wrangler I have to agree with you on the 2.3L Ecoboost as a base engine. They’ll likely move to the 2.7L then 3.5 as something similar to the Raptor at the very top of the range. The question with the 10AT, “Is does it even work with anything smaller than the 3.5L?” Another big question, “Is there any big fuel economy gains over the old 6AT?”

      With design, they’ll have to create a new path instead of trying the “retro modern” take. That’s the Wrangler’s appeal since it kept the design for decades and is still moving forward with it in its next iteration. IMO, take inspiration from the F150 Raptor and their experience owning Land Rover Range Rover, making something that appeals to a broader range of buyers.

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      1. But what’s your opinion for the Powerstroke/Duratorq 5 cylinder diesel? That would be nice too. I guess the 9 speed might work too.

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        1. The 9AT is for FWD/AWD applications, so it can’t be used. The diesel might not even come into play since Jeep isn’t offering one on anything but the Grand Cherokee. If it does make an appearance it would be an interesting option but, US buyers are not likely going to make it a relevent case with gas being so cheap. Ford can easily justify having the option since its aligned with the Ranger.

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  3. The standard bubba response: “gimme a V8!”.

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  4. the 2.3 eco boost would be a great base motor. the 3.5 would be nice as a mid range option but the up coming 4.8 v8 going into the new f-150 would a great upgrade for the new bronco and ranger. coulda had a v8. ford should make it so! screw cafe. its a truck. damn it!!

    Reply

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