2020 Bronco Shown at National Dealer Meeting

The upcoming Ford Bronco was shown off to Ford’s dealers earlier this month, and the company doesn’t seem to have confiscated phones on the way into the meeting. Thanks to that “oversight”, pictures of the new Bronco are circulating all over the internet– specifically, the ones shown, above.

Way back in 2015, we talked a lot about the upcoming Bronco in an article that– for a while– was stupidly popular. We predicted that the new Bronco would be heavily based on the Euro-market Ranger, and look a lot like the then-new Australian Ford Everest SUV.

2015 Ford Everest

We I got the part about its looks wrong, mostly. The rest of it, though? Gear Patrol and Top Speed are published stories about an anonymous Ford engineer who revealed that, under the skin, the new Bronco is all Ranger. Power in the top versions will come from “something like” the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. In the 2018 F-150, that EcoBoost makes 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque-– respectable numbers in a Wrangler-sized SUV. Sadly, that anonymous source also says the Bronco won’t be the hard-core, off-road ready Jeep Wrangler competitor that many are hoping. Rather, it’s been designed primarily as a comfortable on-road, family-friendly SUV, though sprinkled with off-road hardware.”

No word yet on whether or not a Ranger Raptor-based Bronco SUV will follow, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for that. What I am looking forward to, however, is an all-white Bronco with “OJ” plates– but I’m a sick dude. What about you guys? Do you have any fond Bronco memories you’re hoping to relive in the new one? Let us know all about them in the comments section at the bottom of the page!

Sources | Images: Gear Patrol, via Top Speed.

Don’t Buy It, Build: 2017 Ford Bronco (DIY Edition)

People have been buzzing about a new, body-on-frame SUV since the UAW leaked news about an all-new 2017 Ford Bronco a few months ago. Since then, our Bronco post has been consistently popular and I’ve gotten literally tens of emails asking me for more information about the car. The anticipation was too much for one man, however, and he decided to take matters into his own hands … by building his very own new Bronco.

Our intrepid modder started off as a recycler by making the most of a car he already had. Namely, a Ukrainian-market Lada Niva 4×4 that was manufactured by AutoVAZ. So, not the most auspicious of starts- but you can’t fault the man’s work ethic.

Turning an Old Lada into a New Ford Bronco

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  A little inspiration from a Ford Bronco concept …

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The end result is a much more modern-looking 4×4 Niva that could be mistaken for a current model. You know, if Lada made a current Niva 4×4. Which- I dunno. They might still make a Niva 4×4. This YouTube video makes it look like someone does, anyway.

Regardless of what this Niva/Bronco started as, however, it is very definitely now a kick-a** homage to Ford’s latest Bronco concept vehicle. Whether or not the actual production Bronco we end up getting in 2017 is something bare-bones like this or something softer and more living-roomy remains to be seen … but how cool would it be if Ford gave us something like this? Or just gave us the Brazil-market Troller?

You’ve got keyboards- let us know! Tell us what you think of one man’s DIY Ford Bronco project and what you hope (or fear) will happen to Ford’s “real” effort on its way from sketchpad to production in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

DIY Bronco Details

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  Slick, modern headlights …

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Source | Images: AutoforumCZ, via Jalopnik.

Ford Bronco With EcoBoost And Diesel Options In The Works?

Once upon a time the Ford Bronco was highly-regarded among sport utility fans. It’s been decades since Ford built a new Bronco, and years since the last Bronco Concept crossed an auto show stage. So one has to wonder if the rumors of an EcoBoost-or-diesel-powered Ford Bronco isn’t just wishful thinking, or something really substantial.

According to unnamed Ford insiders, Ford is developing a 2015 Bronco concept based on the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 chassis, aimed at competing with the hot-selling Jeep Wrangler. Engine options would include the 5.0 liter V8, a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, and a 4.5 liter turbodiesel engine designed to compete with Chrysler’s own EcoDiesel engine. I wonder if the rumored “Nano” EcoBoost V6 might be on tap as well.

With the Jeep Wrangler slated to get a diesel engine as well, and a huge jump in diesel car sales in America, this could be an opportunity for Ford to test the waters for diesel engines of its own. Chrysler is selling every Wrangler it can build, and Ford has seen a lot of success with its own off-road entrant, the F-150 Raptor. Then again, Ford has also been rather successful with its hybrid car sales, and a hybrid Bronco could be fuel efficient and plenty of fun too.

A new Bronco could take the place of the Raptor, offering four-wheel drive as standard in both two-door and four-door configurations, same as the Wrangler. The name recognition is certainly there, and Ford is promising to launch almost two-dozen new models in 2014. Could a rugged new Bronco with EcoBoost and diesel power be among them?

I don’t want to get my hopes up, but the prospect is pretty damn enticing to me.

Source: Gearheads.org