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Its first public appearance took place in mid-January, at the classic Ford presentation on the Atlantic Coast. From that avant-première at the Pinamar stand, The new Bronco V6 remained on display for the remainder of the season. Then, in mid-March, the brand made a more formal presentation to start pre-sales, announcing that they could already be reserved, with the promise that those first units would arrive a little later.
That is what is now finally happening with this Midsize SUV that is officially and formally landing on the oval network. And for such an event, the brand organized an event in the province of Jujuy that, in addition to a total re-reveal, included a first contact with this vehicle built with the most modern techniques and an extra dose of robustness that differentiates it from everything else. that the automaker offered until then.
The world would first learn the Bronco name in the mid-1960s (the first generation was from 1966 to 1977) from a vehicle that promised to take the driving experience to another level. It was basically a pick-up truck, designed to provide agility and efficiency when going off-road, and was offered in three variants: with a bed, as a closed pickup truck and as a kind of roadster. Attractive, well-built, it immediately caught the attention and generated a huge number of followers. It was more comfortable and less rough than a Jeep of those times, but it did not reach the performance of a Land Rover.
It then evolved until it was dismissed in a fifth generation – in force until the mid-90s – using F-100 and F-150 platforms respectively. However, it never became one of the most extreme off-roaders, but beyond its qualities, it had quite an aspirational quality and it could be said that it was the main driver of the segment that dominates the world market today: the SUV segment.
Time passed and In 2020, the well-deserved reinterpretation appeared, which has been sold in the country since the beginning of 2021: Bronco Sport (manufactured in Mexico), in Wildtrak and Big Bend versions, with a 1.5 175 HP engine, but it is another concept, more urban and for more “civilized” use.
This Bronco that arrives now is something else. It is a model designed, developed and manufactured for purists because it has unique characteristics and mechanical/technological equipment that position it in the olympus of the most sophisticated all-terrain vehicles. First, because it has a more powerful engine, and because it is also built with a different logic, with an extra dose of “iron.” It shares a base chassis with the Ranger pickup produced in General Pacheco, a robust chassis structure with side members and seven cross members, with extra reinforcements in different points.
Between charming and imposing, with square shapes, it looks wide, well-balanced with a style that connects it with its ancestors. Circular optics with retro airs and LED technology, rectangular grill and mirrors in tune, protruding mudguards, iron stirrups and tremendous 17-inch rims with 35″ tires, are some of the features that make its solemn presence. The finishing touch: the spare wheel hanging on the wide rear door. It measures 4.81 m long and weighs 2,350 kilos.
Under the hood it has the engine Ecoboost V6 2.7 bi-turbo that delivers 334 HP of power and 562 Nm of torque, which is associated with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Under the structure there is everything and more for off-roading, since it comes equipped with the package called “Sasquatch” of a disconnectable and intelligent 4×4 traction system with four modes: 4×2 (rear wheel drive), 4×4 Automatic (delivery on demand) , 4×4 High (50% and 50% to both axles) and 4×4 Low (with reduction box). It has a double differential lock and adds advanced items such as off-road cruise speed control and off-road turning assistant, which brakes the inner rear wheel so that the vehicle practically rotates on its axis to turn.
It also features the GOAT (Goes Over Any type of Terrain) terrain management device with 7 driving modes: Normal, ECO, Sport, Slippery, Mud, Sand and Baja. Its off-road dimensions include a ground clearance of almost 30 cm, an angle of attack of 43.2º, an angle of departure of 37º and a wading capacity of 850 mm.
In an environment that is superb in terms of materials and finishes, with plenty of eco-leather, some metallic appliqués and the handles at the ends of the panel (even one on the central console) that should not be missing from any vehicle that claims to be an authentic 4×4.
In terms of comfort, it is extremely generous and its list highlights: dual-zone automatic climate control, 8″ digital instruments, SYNC4 multimedia with 12″ multi-touch screen and improved voice control., wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connection, induction cell phone charger, push-button start, premium audio equipment, USB inputs and native browser, among many others. Like other new generation Fords, it uses the app (FordPass Connect) to manage various functions remotely, access complete vehicle status information, schedule services and even software updates.
The safety aspect is covered by items such as stability and traction controls, six airbags, Isofix hooks and tire pressure monitoring. It also has the Ford Co-Pilot 360 consisting of automatic high beam headlights, hill start assist, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot alert, cross traffic alert, and traffic maintenance system. lane, adaptive cruise control, 360º camera, evasive steering assistance and various etcetera.
The so-called “smart design” that Ford boasts consists of frameless doors that can be removed along with the roof, to transform it in a matter of minutes. –using a tool kit- and leaving it ready to enjoy the outdoors on that foray off-roadalmost like a buggy on a monumental scale.
Once disassembled, the parts can be stored in the trunk, taking up all of the 504 liters of capacity. The truth is that it is already exciting just to know that this possibility is available, and what can we say once it can be tried.
In the midst of the charming landscapes of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, we got into one of the available units and after adjusting the electric seat to our liking and adjusting the heated and leather-covered steering wheel in both height and depth, it was time to start up and go. The first sensation is that it is always more than enough and it is impossible not to be embraced by confidence. It is that, between the high-resistance components, specially tuned and calibrated to face the highest demands, the high ground clearance, the aluminum front suspension grilles and the greater suspension travel (with Fox shock absorbers), Everything that gets in the way seems like child’s play.
He The engine’s thrust (it’s surprising that it doesn’t have a decorative cover plate) is enormous and the torque it generates at 3,100 rpm gives it the ideal force for the most risky maneuvers. It is always ready to give a little more and seems to have no limits, and best of all, it does so in complete comfort because being on board while traveling off-road means remaining isolated from all contingencies caused by rocks, ravines, gravel or the most complicated ruts.
The suspension travel is so wide that it easily copies the movement of a goat. What does make its roar noticeable is the V6. On the pavement, the rolling is felt, but not as much as others of its kind, and when it picks up speed some wind noises emerge. Are you worried? Not at all, it’s all fun. Those traveling in the rear seats will not be as comfortable, and not because the space is tight, but because the backrests are quite straight, in an “L” shape and do not recline, and because they also do not have air vents for that area. .
Considered a global icon of adventure, this model identified with the bucking horse is part of the automaker’s extreme dynasty, on par with what Mustang represents in terms of sportiness. It is so legendary that it became an independent brand within the brand itself, proof of which is that it barely has a single oval logo (cornered on the rear gate), a simple and forceful Bronco is enough and that’s it.
Its direct rival in these lands is the Jeep Wrangler. The suggested price of this emblematic 4×4 that Ford produces in Michigan is $150,000,000. A high figure, no doubt, but for those with the appropriate budget and who profess the religion of adventure, where the extreme is sacred and faith is placed in the extra technology, every peso will be justified.
