The new Ford Bronco is the maximum expression of off-road of the oval brand and one of the most extreme that exists in the world. Its figure, its power and its ability to overcome obstacles are a slap in the face to all SUVs that seek to show themselves as adventurers when, in reality, they are models for every day. This 4×4, on the other hand, was born for adventure.
A few years ago Ford decided to change its strategy worldwide: it announced that it was only going to manufacture pickups, commercial vehicles, sports cars and SUVs. And within that plan, its objective was also to enhance its icons.
Mustang and F-150 continue to be references: the first is the best-selling sports car in the world and the truck is the most chosen vehicle in the US. and the best-selling truck for 47 years in a row. Both models that will be arriving renewed to the local market.
But the oval brand took a rabbit out of the hat, or rather, another colt, and revived a historic one: the Bronco. This model was born in the 60s, but its current versions adapted that 4×4 warrior to current preferences.
On the one hand, the Bronco Sport appeared, a comfortable and comfortable SUV for every day, but with a vocation to eventually leave the asphalt. And on the other, the Bronco, anti SUV.
What is the new Ford Bronco like?
This is a real tough one. Its architecture features a robust stringer chassis, as if it were a pickup truck. In fact, it’s basically the Ranger’s chassis. Due to these and other characteristics, the comparison with the Jeep Wrangler, its direct competition, is inevitable.
That’s why differences quickly emerge: this Ford is much wider, with a more comfortable interior and with a lot of technology on topboth in terms of comfort and connectivity, as well as that applied to off-roading. It is true that there are several years of difference between one model and another, since the current generation of the Wrangler appeared in 2017.
The version sold in Argentina is designed to go anywhere. Only the Bronco Raptor, which is sold in the US, is barely superior. Specifically, it is the variant Wildtrakwhich has an engine 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 with 334 horsepower and 562 Nm of torque. It is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and includes a transfer case, which allows the engine’s power to be multiplied.
The Ford Bronco differential locks allow you to take advantage of the engine’s power even with two wheels in the air.In turn, carry the package Sasquatch (as the native peoples in the US called the mythological character Big Foot), which includes an on-demand all-wheel drive system, 315/70 R17 tires and front and rear axle locks.
How the new Ford Bronco is doing
After a first contact with the Bronco, in which we were able to drive several kilometers on the road and do some off-roading, we were able to draw several initial conclusions.
Inside, the Ford Bronco has a rustic style but with the technological touch that its screens give it.The most important thing is that on asphalt it feels docile and very easy to carry. You don’t have to “manage it.” The soundproofing is also good and only after 120 km/h do you start to feel aerodynamic noise.
What is permanent is the rolling noise, explainable by its enormous wheels. There is quite a bit of merit here since its roof and doors can be completely removed and the noise could be more.
The other experience we had in this second test, where we used the Bronco as a vehicle for every day and urban environments. To our surprise, it showed an ease of use inappropriate for a model of its class. It seemed maneuverable and not too rough. The multiple cameras and sensors it comes with help you perform maneuvers without problems at low speed. The only care you have to take is with its width: including the mirrors, it exceeds 2.2 meters.
The Ford Bronco’s dashboard combines analog and digital, but it doesn’t offer a clear readout.And the last experience was to confirm its off-road capability. for that we use a 4×4 track in every way imaginable. That is to say, slopes that were designed to go down, we faced them going up (some of them with more than 40° inclination), using low gear and with the differentials locked, and the result was spectacular: with just a little bit of accelerator it climbed as if was a goat.
We even tried entering different climbs from the side and the result was the same: its gigantic wheels almost always provided support (despite not having such wide suspension travel) and even with two of them in the air, the differential locks did their work. work so as not to lose traction capacity.
The immediate response of the engine allows you to take advantage of all its power and strength, just “combing” the accelerator to keep it neat in maneuvers with little support.
The Ford Bronco’s traction system provides multiple options and programs depending on the terrain.We once again confirmed the practicality of the Turn Trail Assistwhich helps maneuver in tight spaces. What the system does after activating it is to brake the internal wheel on the side you want to turn, significantly reducing the turning radius.
After a long time on the track, we did not find any maneuver that was complicated. The only thing we didn’t do was defy physics. We even tried speed sections on a dirt road and the response was always outstanding.
It is an exclusive model that undoubtedly many will want to have and few will be able to buy. Let’s hope that those who do it don’t just use it for show, but can also enjoy the capabilities it has, since they are unique.
The Ford Bronco showed notable structural robustness.Technical sheet
Width: 2,200 mm (w/mirrors)
Wheelbase: 2,949 mm
Fuel tank: 79 liters
Angle of attack: 43.2°
Ground clearance: 292 mm
Engine: Nafta, 2.7L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Automatic, 10 speeds
Traction: 4×4 connectable
Maximum speed: 165 km/h (limited)
Acel. 0-100 km/h: 7.2 seconds
Average consumption: 14 L/100 km
Equipment
ABS brakes and stability control
Front side airbags
adaptive cruise control
Autonomous emergency brake
Lane keeping system
Bang&Olufsen audio system
12” touch screen
Apple CarPlay y Android Auto
