I’m currently sweating my you-know-what off somewhere near-ish to Austin, Texas, in order to drive the Ford Bronco, which is probably the most anticipated vehicle of the year, and I want to give you the chance to play journalist.
If you have questions you’d like asked of Ford (preferably about the Bronco, of course), insert them in the comments below.
If this sort of interactive post works, we might use it on future car launches, or at least select ones. Should this idea work, credit the bourbon I had after dinner. If it flops, blame the bourbon.
Here are the rules of engagement: I’ll check in when I can and relay questions to the appropriate Ford people. We won’t break the embargo, which is set for next week, so don’t try to trick us into spilling driving impressions. Be patient — the day is busy and I might not be able to reply quickly, and I probably won’t be able to reply to all questions. Off-topic and obvious joke queries will be ignored.
Bonus Internet points will go to those who ask questions that we in the auto press tend to inadvertently overlook.
So, fire away. What do you want to know about the big Bronco?
[Image: Ford]
Will it be as configurable as the Wrangler? When we ordered our daughters Wrangler last year the level of customization was impressive. So for example we could get a manual transmission and still make it as fancy as we wanted.
>KC
A manual for the young daughter?
I salute you sir!
She has only driven manuals since she got her permit. In her twenties now. She test drove a wrangler with an auto and hated it. My work here is done:)
In terms of trims and features, there is a lot of choice when it comes to configuration. You can get a manual on the top trim Badlands, but only with the four-cylinder. If you want a manual and a lot of features, it’s hard to get that on the mid level trims — most of the mid trims give up the manual if you want the nicer features.
To be clear, the Badlands allows you to get all the good stuff and keep the stick. Other trims don’t.
Down the road, is there going to be a diesel option? Or hybrid options like the Wrangler? I’m sure the huge diesel that is used in the Super Duty won’t fit, but I’m guessing that Ford in Europe can supply an engine that will comply with emission standards. In my neck of the woods, diesel is cheaper than unleaded again, plus the extra grunt and range that diesel provides, mate that with a manual and you would have an off-road beast.
I will ask around on this. Ford typically doesn’t talk future product but there have been hints of electrification.
Ford was unsurprisingly vague. They did mention a “electric SUV” that Farley has touted before, but that’s all I could get.
Yeah, everyone’s touting the future “electric SUV” right now. I’m just thinking that Ford can pick up the old FJ target market with a real Bronco that can handle real offroading, and if it’s diesel or some type of hybrid powertrain that stretches fuel even more, unless the first year quality isn’t up to par, they can have a hit on their hands.
Compared to the Wrangler where does Ford think the Bronco excels or doesn’t quite cut it?
I know that’s asking for a lot of honesty, but give it a try
I’m sure the answer will be no but will they ever offer a V8 option?
I asked that last night and got a non-answer.
In light of Jeep releasing a V8 Wrangler on 35’s, will Ford counter with a larger engine and 37’s?
Ford is going to a V8 in the Raptor as a counter to the Hellcat TRX.
Is a Raptor Ranger planned? I know, not a Bronco question.
What took so long?
:-/
>>Pig
Agreed. What took so long?
BUT- they could have pulled a GM and given us a Bronco a la Blazer. (that new Blazer is really really horrid)
…..that new Blazer is really really horrid. A: Lou Glutz Motors ” You think you hate your new Blazer now, wait ’till you drive it.”
It really, really is
Show of hands – what level of regret and tales of woe must be going through GM HQ right now when they see all of the built up hype and demand for a real Bronco that can be used like they used to (along with the Defender being reborn) and just wonder how badly they missed the boat when they slapped the Blazer name on yet other crossover with nothing that makes it stand out in a huge number of models? The Bronco might end up being another Thunderbird where once pent up demand is met, sales fall off of a cliff. Or if Ford does it right, they can ride this through several generations or until another ungodly 2008 gas price spike happens again.
Once you do drive it, would you consider/dare towing anything with it.considering the fact that it is aimed at younger buyers and we do like camping. Would much appreciate your input.
Towing was mentioned briefly during the briefing I think — I can’t recall, it was quick — and my mind has gone blank. I will respond with more info later.
• What is the profit by trim?
• What is the projected mix by trim?
• What are the current challenges during production ramp-up?
Ford won’t answer that first one and the other two, they are emailing me about.
They should never answer the first one, but Jim Farley has been in ‘no filter’ mode lately – it was worth a shot.
Doubtful they will give a detailed answer to the mix question via email [where they have time to ponder and coordinate] (but they could).
Email answer to ramp-up question will likely be watered down to generic mush (hope I’m wrong).
Thanks Tim.
Why no stick with the V6?
I can’t imagine the thought process that went into offering the enthusiast transmission only with the base engine.
I have asked around and not gotten a consistent answer. Could be a torque issue, could be a take-rate thing.
My guess at the thought process (speculation based on historical reality and age/experience of key OEM decision-makers):
• Manual transmission = cheaper/simpler than automatic transmission and can’t charge premium [historically]
• Each transmission/engine combination requires $$ for engineering, development, some specialized parts (including investment/tooling), validation, etc. – so we probably aren’t going to offer unlimited mixing and matching
• Since we have to choose, highest projected penetration rate wins (which is generally lower/cheaper/more basic)
• Bonus: Transmission cost goes up as the power [more accurately torque] it must handle goes up – so another reason to offer the manual transmission with the base (lower torque) engine
Had a boss at an OEM who strongly preferred manual transmissions, and was frustrated that she could only get them on the lower trims (before they stopped being offered at all).
“Highest projected penetration rate wins (which is generally lower/cheaper/more basic)”
I think if product planners are still basing decisions on this assumption, they are way out of date. The people buying manuals in 2021 aren’t bargain shoppers, they are specifically seeking them out.
“Transmission cost goes up as the power [more accurately torque] it must handle goes up – so another reason to offer the manual transmission with the base (lower torque) engine”
Accurate, but the bigger engine already costs more. I’d think it wouldn’t be a big ask to roll the added transmission cost into that. Again, these buyers really want a manual.
The fact that I can get 6 cylinders with a manual in a Jeep but not a Bronco is probably a clincher for me if/when I jump into this market. If Ford’s product planners are listening, I’d have paid extra for a manual with the 2.7L. Of course they have a million reservations, so they don’t care about me, the guy who’s bought 3 new Fords since 2012.
@jack4x,
I agree with everything you just said.
It is entirely possible that the product planners are on board with offering enthusiast-directed manual transmissions on the good trims with the powerful engines, but then get voted down at higher levels.
(Current dealership model is also part of the problem. If the enthusiasts can’t easily order what they want, the take rate is never going to materialize.)
Currently in the build-and-price if you want heated seats, dual-zone A/C or (iirc) a sunroof, you need to choose the “mid package”, which mandatorily includes the auto. This is in stark contrast with the Wrangler, on which you can spec pretty much all the bells and whistles on the MT (exceptions are obvious things like remote start). Now, I kinda get that they don’t want to qualify an MT for all the engine choices. I do *not* get why I need an auto to get heated seats. So hit them up with this one, please!
The Badlands can be had with a manual and all the bells and whistles. But that’s a lot of dough — it’s a top trim.
Will the 2.7T and the manual ever be put in the same truck?
Ford is vague on that but god I hope so
What is the steady state highway mpg for the turbo engine variant when driven at a range of legal highway speeds from 55 mph to 80 mph in 5 mph increments
(since Ford has such a difficult time at meeting its EPA numbers)
How much of its design was cribbed from the Honda Element? I saw one yesterday, and the size, proportions and hard points are eerily similar.
To my eye, very little, save the boxy shape. Bronco is bigger, at least in four door, and boxier.
How similar is the Bronco to the Brazilian Troller?
Why did you half-ass it? Should have gone either fully independent suspension on both front and rear or solid axle. One of each makes little sense.
Is the quality any better than the recent introductions? And when will you admit that the delays were due to quality issues and not “supplier this and covid that”?
I’ll be the non-Bronco question: when will the EcoSport be updated? Might there be plans to bring something like the Puma over?
The Puma is arguably slightly better looking, maybe.
Can the 2.3/manual be shoehorned into the Bronco Sport and turned into an ST variant?
I’m starting to think Ford shoulda styled the front of the Maverick more in line with the Bronco, or made it a submodel.
Does Ford have the ability to manufacture Bronco at Ford Thailand Manufacturing in Rayong?
Would Bronco manufactured in Thailand be subject to significant tariffs if imported to USA/Canada?
Will Ford sell Bronco in Australia, in Asia, in Europe? If so, will these units be assembled in Michigan?
The Wrangler is great for towing, since the Transfer Case can be put in neutral and steering wheel doesn’t lock – will they do the same for the Bronco? Will the Bronco have a roof that can easily be opened and closed, or will it be more like setting up a tent?
Ask them with all the trouble with hard tops, why don’t you just have all the Broncos have connections (power, water etc) for the hard top..that way the customer can order a soft top and buy a hard top later.
As it is now, if you order a soft top it doesn’t come with connections for hard top.
This is a deal breaker for so many who would order a soft top now and buy a hard top through parts