Last September, Ford Authority reported that Ford had filed a trademark for “Warthog,” which was believed to be the name of an upcoming Ford Bronco variant. That was confirmed just a month later when we spied a 2023 Ford Bronco Warthog prototype driving around with “Warthog shock cover” written on a panel inside the wheel well. The name was confirmed again via a supplier letter, and the Bronco Warthog has since been spied testing alongside the next-gen Ranger Raptor and by itself near Moab. However, now we have spotted a Bronco Warthog hybrid out testing with some interesting features.
There are several clues that point to the fact that this Bronco Warthog hybrid prototype is running an electrified drivetrain. The biggest is an orange high voltage (HV) cable, typically used in hybrid vehicles, that is visible underneath the Bronco, wrapped around part of the transmission tunnel and transaxle covering. Hopefully, the cable will be placed somewhere else on the production version, because its current location makes it vulnerable during even lighter off-roading.
So far, we’ve spied Ford Bronco Warthog prototypes with and without these high voltage cables, and both also utilize different exhaust tips – the hybrid prototypes have a single exhaust with a single exhaust outlet, while non-hybrid prototypes have a single exhaust with dual tips.
The non-hybrid Warthog is expected to be powered by the more potent version of Ford’s twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 currently found in the Ford Explorer ST and Lincoln Aviator. In that guise, it is rated to produce 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.
Meanwhile, the hybrid Warthog is expected to be powered by the same 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and electric motor combination present in the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, which produces 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Both powerplants will be mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Bronco Warthog Hybrid could be Ford’s response to the recently revealed Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, which produces 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque from its 6.4-liter V8, as well as the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe, which is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 coupled with engine and transmission-mounted motor-generator units to produce 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque – both of which exceed the output of the 2021 Bronco’s range-topping 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that offers up 310 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
As we’ve previously reported, the Bronco Warthog is fitted with 17-inch Ford F-150 Raptor-like wheels and LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain T/A tires. The Warthog will have a wider stance than regular Bronco models and will use the same Fox Live Valve shock technology as the F-150 Raptor, in addition to a host of other suspension upgrades. On the outside, it will feature unique front and rear fascias and bumper treatments, higher ground clearance, and more pronounced fenders than the regular Bronco.
We’ll have more on the Bronco Warthog very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
It may be all the padded coverings they use to disguise the vehicle, but every time I see photos of the new Broncos, they seem to be growing bigger and bigger. I pulled up next to a new Bronco Sport yesterday and the damn thing was as big as a Toyota 4Runner. If the “Baby Bronco” is that big, how big will the regular Bronco turn out to be when and if Ford ever makes them available to normal buyers in dealer showrooms? I was thinking that the new Bronco might be about the size of my old 1969 Bronco, but now I’m thinking it will be at least as big as a F-150 Super Duty truck. Why do car manufacturers think that the way to make a vehicle better is to make it bigger? We need a Bronco that can squeeze between trees on the Rubicon or the Dusey Trails in the Sierras, not something that can’t squeeze into a parking lot.
The size comparison between the Bronco and the Jeep is oddly similar to what it was in 1969 (My dad had a ’69 with the 302) The Bronco is just a little longer / wider than the Jeep to help make it more comfortable / roomy while not being overly large for off road duty.
To give you an idea on one vs the other (You can see full details on the respective websites – here’s Ford’s: https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/2021/models/bronco-base/)
The new 4 door Bronco’s length is 189.4 inches compared to the 4 door Jeep at 188.4 – one inch longer
Width is 65 vs 62.9 a couple inches wider.
The 2 door version of the Bronco is at 173.7 inches in length vs the Jeep at 166.8 so just 7 inches longer than the Jeep.
Wheelbases are similar too. 100.5 for the Bronco and 96.8 for the Jeep
If the Jeep squeeze between trees on the Rubicon then the Bronco should too.
Maybe.
It’s funny how the taller and more slab-sided styled a vehicle is, the more people seem to liken it to something physically larger.
An often-repeated, and incorrect, statement is that “midsize trucks are the same size as 20 year old full size trucks”. Nope. Compare a Ranger Super Crew to a 2002ish F-150 Super Crew. The Ranger is smaller, same if you compare SuperCab shortbeds.
Back to your affirmation that the Bronco Sport is the same size as a 4Runner, let’s compare:
2021 Toyota 4Runner dimensions:
190-191″ L x 76″ W x 72″ H
2021 Ford Bronco Sport dimensions:
173″ L x 74″ W x 70-74″ H
Idk, but 17-18″ of difference in length is not exactly a wash in my book.
I’m totally on board with Don. Those who 4wheel totally know what he is talking about (no offense to those not familiar with the topic). The width and wheelbase play a crucial role in clearing obstacles and staying a few inches away from the edge of the cliff where you can fall few thousand feet below nearly vertically. Some of these roads are not paved nor graded. I think the issue is Design cost with regard to broncos. I bet Bronco and Warthog would share the same chassis. In order to fit bigger tires and offer longer suspension travel the control arms have to be longer. When you do this there’s no way to go but outwards, translating to a wider stance. The warthog would be nothing but looks and open trail runner; no trees and boulders to squeeze in between. The raptors have the same design issue. Have you seen it nearly get stuck and sideswiped both sides to free itself in elephant hill?
Good analysis. I agree wholeheartedly.
Have we heard anything else about this motor? I am wanting this one but FORD has been so tight-lipped about everything.