The 2020 Ford Bronco was slated to be one of this year’s most anticipated SUV releases. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Ford announced that it is delaying production of the Bronco Sport, the smallest of the two Bronco-branded vehicles. The regular Bronco that was intended to go into production this year has been pulled altogether.
So, what does this mean for Ford enthusiasts who were excited for the first Bronco unveiling since production ended in 1996? Here’s what we know.
Reveal Date Moved to July
Like all other highly anticipated vehicles, the new Ford Bronco was supposed to make an appearance at the New York International Auto Show this spring. With COVID-19 spreading across the city weeks before the annual show, however, it was pushed back until July.
The New Bronco Might Have Different Grille Designs
Until the Bronco Sport has its official debut, we can only speculate about its design and features. According to “Ford Authority,” an unnamed source with ties to the project claimed that the new Bronco Sport will come with three different grille options, dubbed the Modern, Classic, and Custom.
The Modern grille is supposedly the standard option, while the Classic is a retro-inspired look from vintage Broncos. The Custom design will probably have a more upscale, premium feel that makes it stand out from the other two options.
Manual Transmission Might Be Available
Many off-road enthusiasts who would be interested in the Bronco tend to gravitate toward manual transmissions. In 2018, reports indicated the new Bronco would likely come with a seven-speed manual transmission paired with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. If the new model adheres to the rest of Ford’s specs, it should also be available with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, there’s no way to know if those early reports were referring to the upcoming Bronco Sport or the Bronco that has already been cut from this year’s lineup.
It Might Have Removable Door Pieces
Ford recently filed a patent that seems to describe removable door pieces with inner bars for the new Bronco model. While just speculation, this design could allow occupants to remove part of the inner door for an open-air experience. Since the design doesn’t require you to remove the entire door assembly, it appears to be a safer means of enjoying the outdoors while driving. In fact, the bar structure under the inner assembly seems to protect occupants once the piece is removed.
Many details are still up in the air regarding the new Ford Bronco and its smaller incarnation, the Ford Bronco Sport. Even so, this is one SUV that has stirred up quite a bit of excitement.
Image via ford.com
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