Like most Bronco fans, we were a bit sad when the 2020 year model slipped to a 2021 year model as things were delayed a bit. The reason for that delay was cited as poor performance in focus groups, leading to a front end redesign according to reports. The style the general public wants from an SUV isn’t always what the hard-core Bronco fans want to see. The delay raised the question, what classic Bronco features does the 2021 Ford Bronco need?
Motortrend ran down a list of what it thinks the 2021 Ford Bronco needs to compete and we can’t say that we disagree with most of them. The first thing is a spare tire on the back, something that Broncos in the old days had and something that the main competition, the Jeep Wrangler, has as well. We would certainly want to see that carried over to the 2021 Ford Bronco.
Paint colors need to extend beyond the standard Ford colors of red, black, white, silver, and blue. We’d like to see some bright colors; Ford could borrow from the colors offered on the Mustang line. We’d totally buy a 2021 Ford Bronco in Grabber Lime, Grabber Blue, or Competition Orange. Broncos have always offered two-tone paint jobs, a modern Bronco with a combination of colors would be a welcome sight.
As for the shape, it needs to be boxy. The Bronco has always been a box, and fans love that shape. Boxy is the same approximate shape that the segment-leading Jeep Wrangler offers, and Ford would do well to stick with what the segment wants without being too retro or too modern.
Motortrend wants graphics packages; we don’t care one way or the other on that point. Graphics were very ’80s, early ’90s. As long as we get some cool two-tone paint jobs with white roof and matching fender flares, the graphics aren’t a necessity for us.
One significant feature that the 2021 Ford Bronco must have is a roof that opens. A convertible top is one of the main draws to the Jeep Wrangler, and old Broncos offered removable roofs. Beating Jeep here would be a possibility if the Bronco offers an easy to remove roof that blocks more noise than the Wrangler soft top does.
Icon CEO Jonathan Ward says that the 2021 Bronco needs a manual to succeed, we’d disagree. A manual is nice, but we would much rather have a V8. That said, we can count on the same EcoBoost four-cylinder from the Ranger truck being the engine option. One thing the 2021 Bronco needs to be successful and take the sales war to the Jeep Wrangler is solid front and rear axles for off-road prowess. If the Wrangler lands with independent front suspension, as the Ranger has, it will lose the enthusiast market. We have seen images that appear to show solid front and rear axles, so fans are likely safe from that catastrophe. What do you want to see in the 2021 Ford Bronco?
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Source: Motortrend
Taking a page out of the Maverick's book.
All that Electric Spice looks pretty good, if we do say so ourselves.
It has remained with the original owner's family since new, too.
Three words: tech, advertising, and business.
Another nicely kept example of the newer Ranger.
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How on earth do you see a solid axle in those pictures? I wish one was there, but that is obviously an IFS setup like the Ranger normally has.
Ok Ford this is not that difficult. You have a Troller. 4x4 solid front axle removable top add removable doors put what ever you want for engine as long as its got 270 hp minimum solid front and rear axles. Coil springs for the best ride. Make fenders removable for larger tires jeep has already converted moat of us but we hate Dodge products. If it doeant have what ive listed we will just buy a jeep for spite. You know how to do retro you got this. Troller meets retro bronco 1970's front fenders retro round headlights. He'll do like the 78 and 79. Square headlights on 1 model round on the other with first gen Bronco front fenders. You know if you come out with 1 thing the jeep has better its gonna be a Blazer nightmare.
Ok recap......
Solid front axle
Solid rear axle
Removable top
Removable doors
What ever engine 270 min hp
Maybe 2 transmissions standard+ auto
And any additions you can add.
End of story
C'mon Ford
Agreed, horsepower rating is good but I think you need to have a higher horse V8 for those old school guy, like myself, so we don’t have to go to Walmart and buy a V8 badge.
What styling cues does it need? How about visible ones. The kind that aren’t covered by a tarp.
Ford has been playing hide-the-ball with this Bronco long enough. I was never a Jeep fan before, but somehow the anticipation of the Bronco has almost converted me into one.
So there now pushing the Broncos till 2021???? Why????
Timing issues-its supposed to go into production Late fall/winter of 2020. Should be on the lots in numbers by summer 2021.
Don't waste our time if it doesn't resemble the 60s bronco and you need to under cut them at price WE ARE WAITING
I agree with the 93lightningbronco for the most part. The new Bronco must have the following:
Solid Axles Front and Rear with a Locker Option
Fully Removable Top and Doors
A Manual Gearbox
High and Low Range Transfer Case
A V-8 Engine, a 265 HP 2.0 liter Ecoboost is not going to cut it for the off road crowd. It's great in my wife's Lincoln MKC but it has to rev to the moon before it starts producing any power. Off road requires low-end grunt that just cannot be achieved from the current 4 and 6 cylinder offerings. I get an article in my news feed nearly everyday about someone putting a hemi in a wrangler. You want to beat the Jeep? Give us a V-8!
Also it would be great if Ford would go back to letting it's customers order a vehicle with the options it wants without making them buy a "package". I may want leather seats and positrack differentials without any other bells and whistles. I should be able to get that.
I am a Ford man through and through. I currently have a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for off road purposes though. I hate Chrysler products but no one else is producing what is needed for off road fun. This is Ford's opportunity to get it right. I hope these so called focus groups don't ruin the new Bronco.
Ok Ford, I know the list is long and completely different than anything currently being produced by you. You've got this. I have started my Bronco fund and fully intend on purchasing one. I need this Chrysler junk out of my driveway. It just doesn't fit in with the 2 Lincolns and the Excursion that also reside there.
Please get this right. It is going to pain me greatly if I have to buy another Wrangler...……………..
Ford just released a brand new "old school" (non-OHC) 7.3L Gasoline V-8 engine for their 2020 Super Duty trucks.
I would prefer to see a "new old school" V-8 for the new Bronco.
To-wit: an aluminum block and heads-equipped 351 Windsor-type design.
Should have the torque needed for serious off-roading of the new 4x4 Bronco.
The picture from Bronc6G is nice, but the taillights should not stick out further than the bumper. They are too expensive to replace now, and should be recessed and caged.
How about a 8 cyl .with out the noisy 10 speed like the f 150
Definitely V8 options, maybe a Roush conversion of some sort, definitely a manual and auto option. If there is no removable top or doors I will not buy one. I would like to see it be as close to my 69 and 76 as possible. To keep the enthusiasts interested they will have to have lots of option packages. Can’t be like buying a Chevy truck we’re you have three choices.
Everyone has said what they want and what it should be, but they don't listen to anyone but hipsters and housewives. So instead of being a truck, it's gonna be a pukey little crossover thing like the new blazer
Exactly, which is why it will share a truck platform (per Ford itself, not a rumor). Of course itll be a FWD unibody lifted wagon like the Blazer. Duh.
What a worthless comment. We already know it won’t be a CUV. It’s sharing the Ranger platform. This has been common knowledge for months, if not years.