Ford's Bronco Is Back! And It's Electric?

“Ford helped start the off-road phenomenon and has majored in off-road capability for decades – from the Bronco to the Raptor,” said Jim Farley, Ford president, Global Markets. “Now, we’re ready to reclaim our rightful place as the off-road vehicle leader.”

Ok, it’s not fully electric, but rather a gas-electric hybrid. Ford dropped the bombshell at a press conference aimed at explaining the company’s vision for pickups and SUVs for the next several years, held at its headquarters in Dearborn. After years of speculation Ford acknowledged at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Bronco nameplate would in fact be returning to North America in 2020. Still to this day there are those who have their doubts. So, along with the news about the hybrid powertrain Ford also released a photo of the 2020 Bronco.
 
Unfortunately all we could see was the SUVs shapely outline hidden under a sheet, but it’s enough to prove that it exists in some form. From what we can tell, since there’s nothing to gauge proportion against, the new Bronco will look like the bastard love child of a Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Bronco II. The wheel wells look large enough for at least a 33-inch tire, and it would appear to be a two-door, just like the Bronco of old. A spare tire hangs off the rear and we can only hope it has a removable top. We expect a solid rear axle and independent front, though Ford could still surprise us with more of a Wrangler-fighter than Raptor kin, but the later is more likely.
 
Along with the Bronco Ford also teased a never-before-seen compact off-road SUV, which it says will be coming to market soon. Nothing else is known about this vehicle, so we’ll speculate that it will be similar in size to Escape, and sport a fully electric powertrain. Stay tuned as this story develops.
 
- Trucks-365 Staff
Source: Ford