Ford: There are no hurdles for the Bronco 🎥
A WHOLE KERL Well, they've got some guts. While climate activists are glued to roads and the EU wants to ban the internal combustion engine sooner rather than later, Ford is now bringing another automotive US icon across the Atlantic after the V8 Mustang.
The Bronco will be launched in Europe for the first time, starting in spring 2023, in limited numbers and only as a four-door model. Ford is not yet willing to say which engine will be used in the new version of the legendary off-roader, which will be unveiled in 2020. But it will probably be the V6 biturbo gasoline engine with 335 hp - and definitely not electrified.
Easily dismantled components
Although the new edition of the classic off-roader looks a bit out of date with its massive stature, the angular retro look is immediately appealing. The front with its full-size radiator grille, prominently highlighted model name and circular LED headlights is particularly eye-catching.
A clever feature is that many body components can be removed in just a few steps, such as the four-piece hardtop or the doors, to transform the boxy off-roader into an airy convertible in a matter of minutes.
Sublime view of the action
With 30 centimeters of ground clearance, getting into the 4.81 meter long and 1.86 meter high off-roader without an A-pillar handle or running board is not quite as elegant as in a sedan. Once you've climbed in, the seat at the steering wheel turns into an executive chair with a commanding view of the action.
The trail sights on the front edges of the body immediately catch the eye. The black plastic eyelets act as dipsticks for maneuvering in narrow passages or difficult terrain, but they can also be used as anchors for transporting canoes on the roof or, in keeping with the season, Christmas trees suitable for large families.
Extreme inclined drives or inclination angles
The interior wears outdoor looks, is functional and robust, also with some retro design elements and seems to be indestructible with its washable surfaces and silicone-sealed switches. For extreme inclined driving or tilting angles, the grab handles in the dashboard support and center console, which were missed during entry, can be found here.
In contrast, the digital cockpit and the 12-inch touchscreen, which can be used to operate the Sync 4 infotainment system, appear to be a counterpoint to the robust design. Of course, all common smartphones can also be connected here. And a B&O sound system with ten speakers even provides comfortable listening pleasure ex works.
Tracking accuracy, straight-line stability and rolling comfort
And how does it drive? Well, unlike the wedge-shaped wild horse in the logo on the tailgate that gives it its name, it's remarkably civilized and comfortable. The Bronco trots confidently over the asphalt ribbons of civilization, convinces with directional stability and good straight-line stability, even if rolling comfort is not one of the great strengths of the all-terrain tires.
With 335 hp, the 2.7-liter V6 biturbo gasoline engine has an easy time of it with the more than two-tonne Yank, and with 563 newton meters of torque, it provides just as strong a start as it does pulling power in all situations, orchestrated by a 10-speed automatic that knows exactly what it's doing.
The four-wheeler is only in its element on difficult terrain, where it is in no way inferior to its domestic competitor, the Jeep Wrangler, but also to a Land Rover Defender or the Mercedes G-Class. Here, both the high ground clearance and impressive slope and ramp angles as well as 85 centimeters of fording depth pay off, with hardly an obstacle, hill or water crossing that cannot be overcome. But a battery of assistance systems also ensures foolproof guidance over hill and dale, even when unsuspecting newcomers are at the wheel.
Trail Toolbox for difficult situations
At the center is the so-called Terrain Management System, which combines seven driving programs. In addition to the three modes for everyday road traffic (Normal, Eco, Slippery), these include four off-road settings (Mud, Sand, Stony and Sporty Baja mode). Depending on the mode, the response of the steering, accelerator pedal or automatic transmission also changes.
If the going gets really tough, the Bronco driver can also use the Trail Toolbox. It contains a number of off-road assistants that help even the inexperienced asphalt cowboy out of trouble. Trail Control, for example, controls braking and acceleration off-road so that the driver can concentrate on steering. Or Trail Turn Assist, which reduces the turning circle by up to 40 percent by means of controlled brake intervention, allowing the car to maneuver in the tightest of spaces. The Bronco obviously doesn't know any hurdles.
In the U.S., the car starts at the equivalent of 30,000 euros, and used import models with six-cylinder engines are available on car exchanges from 55,000 euros. It will probably not be available for less than 60,000 Swiss francs when new.
