2021 Ford Bronco: Design, Power And Everything Else We Know About The Wrangler-Fighter

Announced at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford had set the stage for one of this year’s most hotly anticipated comebacks (according to Google Trends); we’re talking about Ford’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler – the all-new Bronco 4×4.

Aside from the Ford GT and Mustang Mach-E, I cannot think of a more eagerly-awaited model from the Blue Oval in recent times. So with all that hype on our minds, let’s illustratively look at what we can expect ahead of the Bronco’s official reveal in the coming weeks.

2021 Ford Bronco photo renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

Looking Tough

It wouldn’t be a Bronco with soft, car-like looks. Fortunately, Ford knows who they’re targeting with staunch proportions, off-road credibility, and a boxy design paying homage to Broncos of old. Frontal styling is simple yet brutish; an upright grille with the word ‘Bronco’ sits proudly in block letters, flanked by circular halo LED headlamps, a modular lower bumper, along with a flat hood with pronounced edges.

Viewing from the side highlights the Bronco’s frameless-windows, belt-line profile, a-pillar mounted side mirrors and pronounced round fenders. Cutlines above the a-pillars reveal where portions of the removable hardtop roof come off, although the windscreen appears fixed.

The production 2021 Ford Bronco 2- and 4-door rear. Photos courtesy of Bronco6g.com

Out-back, links to Ford’s Bronco R off-road racer can be seen in the tall, rectangular rear lights. Here an illuminated LED border is partially segmented with the lower portion tapering inwards. Like the front, the rear also features short overhangs for optimal approach and departure angles.

Classic Ambience Inside

The Bronco’s staunch, yet classic styling theme plays out on the inside too, and fans will be pleased to know nothing carries over interior-wise from the Ranger that it’s loosely based on. Here, the upright dashboard with digital instrument cluster features flat surfacing and integrates Ford’s latest SYNC touchscreen nestled between a pair of vertical air vents.

Interestingly, it appears the upper dash also has a switchboard arrangement for the locking transfer case, stop-start and traction control functions. A chunky automatic gear selector takes pride of place on the center console, with Ford’s drive mode dial positioned just behind. Overhead, another console features a bank of add-on accessory switch-gear. A myriad of driver assists under the Co-Pilot 360 banner will be standard.

Chassis & Customization

The codenamed U725 Bronco will be available in two and four-door configurations and is based on an updated T6 Ranger platform which promises to be capable of taking in some serious punishment. For the off-road minded, it’s expected to utilize electronic terrain management in tandem with independent front suspension, plus a solid rear axle with coil springs and struts doing the work out-back.

Customization is key for the new Bronco, with more than 150 different accessories reportedly being on offer. The Blue Oval has a variety of patents ready for the Bronco, including a modular grille assembly that can allow for a host of electronic equipment such as winches and lighting, a light-weight removable door system with built-in door tubes, while multiple segments of the roof can be removed too.

Under The Hood

Powering the Bronco is believed to be a 270 hp 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol, or a (rumored) 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. The latter, used in the F-150, pumps out 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque – although it remains to be seen if output would remain the same. Power will be sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, and it’s tipped a Getrag seven-speed manual will be available as well.

For the fuel-misers among us, a hybrid is also said to be in development; however, details on that powertrain are still up for conjecture.

The new 2021 Ford Bronco shares its hardware with the next-gen Ranger pickup truck

Rivals & Reveal

The No1 target in the new Bronco’s cross hairs will undoubtedly be Jeep’s iconic Wrangler. The fact that Bronco test mules and prototypes have been spotted riding alongside the Wrangler indicate exactly who Ford is gunning for. Other competitors include Land Rover’s all-new Defender, Toyota’s (almost vintage) 4Runner, and if the price is no barrier – Mercedes-Benz’s G-Class.

According to a report from Automotive News, Ford told dealers it plans to reveal the reborn Bronco later this month, with the Bronco family of vehicles (including two and four-door versions, plus the smaller Bronco Sport) anticipated to hit at least 200,000 sales in 2021. At this point, it’s not clear if the new 2021 Bronco will have its public debut at the New York Auto Show in April (that is, if it doesn’t catch the Coronavirus like Geneva did) or if it will be one of the main attractions at the Detroit Motor Show this June.

Is the all-new Bronco the most anticipated Ford you’ve been waiting on in recent memory? Share your thoughts in the comments below.