2020 Ford Bronco teased in new video, still no closer to Australia
Ford has released a teaser video of the new Bronco off-roader ahead of its expected unveiling at the Detroit Motor Show mid year.
However news for Australian fans is still not good. Ford is yet to confirm a right-hand-drive program for the US-built model, even though it is based on the Ranger ute designed and engineered in Australia.
The only hope of the Bronco coming to Australia is if Ford decides to also sell the model in the UK, also a right-hand-drive market, however the latest reports claim there are no plans to sell it in Europe.
The Bronco – one of Ford’s historic icons – will be a rival to the Jeep Wrangler in the US and is said to have impressive off-road ability due to its short overhangs, heavy duty suspension and gnarly off-road tyres.
The footage shows test mules made up of Ranger parts as a disguise being driven in harsh conditions in the US. The same type of Bronco test mules have also been caught on camera over the past year or so while testing in Australia.
The showroom version of the new Ford Bronco will of course not look like this, and may share some of inspiration from the concept vehicle from 2004 (pictured below).
That’s how long Ford has been trying to revive the Bronco badge. The stubby three-door off-roader was sold in the US for 30 years until finally being axed in 1996 as buyers shifted to full size SUVs.
The Ford Bronco was also available in Australia from 1981 to 1987, where it was powered by a range of engines over its lifecycle, including a 4.1-litre in-line six-cylinder, a carbureted 5.8-litre V8 and, eventually, a fuel injected 5.0-litre V8 – all backed by a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission.
The new generation Bronco is expected to be unveiled at the 2020 Detroit Auto Show, which has moved from the North American winter in January to summer in June.
Ford is expected to launch with a three-door model but a larger and longer five-door variant and other spin-offs are expected in the coming years.