Ford Bronco family revealed

A week out from its global online debut, the Blue Oval has confirmed it will reveal not one but three new-generation Ford Bronco models at 8:00pm EDT on June 13 (10:00am AEST next Tuesday).

Aimed directly at the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender, as evidenced by its removable roof and doors, the 2021 Ford Bronco family will comprise a modern reprisal of the original 1966 two-door and the first four-door.

But the all-new Ford Bronco – based on the same Australian-developed T6 ladder platform as the Ranger – will go one better than its American and British rivals by also being offered in small five-door SUV form dubbed Bronco Sport, which will also be revealed next week.

Announcing its new ‘outdoor lifestyle brand’ dubbed Built Wild, Ford tonight also launched a new Bronco mini-site, a new online enthusiast club called Bronco Nation, an outdoor off-road adventure experience for buyers at one of four epic US destinations called Off-Rodeo and an Amazon merchandise store.

In a Tesla-style move, Ford also opened the Bronco order book, inviting US customers to reserve theirs with a $100 refundable deposit.

Sadly only the mini-site is accessible to Australians, who at this stage will also be denied access to any of the three new Bronco models, which are so far not confirmed for right-hand drive production or Australian release.

No new technical information was announced, but these fresh teaser images and videos confirm the born-again Bronco’s serious off-road intent and its many retro design cues, as exposed previously by leaked images of both the five-door Bronco and Bronco Sport small SUV.

Ford is keen to build the Bronco brand by highlighting the 1996 original’s DNA, racing heritage, collectability and significance in popular culture (although there’s no mention of its most famous getaway driver, OJ Simpson).

It promises class-leading 4x4 off-road capability alongside “ingenious new updatable technologies and adventure-ready attributes created with today’s outdoor enthusiasts in mind”.

Like the first Bronco and the military Ford GP (for general purpose) that preceded it in 1941, a quarter-ton WWII 4x4 truck, Ford says the new Bronco will go over any terrain (GOAT), thanks to “standard 4x4 and an exclusive terrain management system, plus unique Bronco-variant architectures with class-leading levels of capability and suspension technology”.

Engine options are expected to include a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder similar to the one in the US-spec Ford Ranger, while a 2.7-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 is also likely – both matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission with low range. Later on, V8 and hard-core Raptor versions could become available.

“Bronco gave rise to the fun and versatile off-road SUV in 1966, becoming the first enjoyable sport utility vehicle for those who wanted to live, work and play outdoors,” said Ford chief operating officer, Jim Farley.

“Like the original, the all-new Bronco family is engineered to take you to epic places, with capability to deliver confidence on any type of terrain.”