Is Ford planning Bronco-based ute?

Tuesday, 19 January 2021

Ford looks like it’s planning a rough-and-tumble ute based on the new Bronco, which is a bit strange.

The news comes from user FourHorses on the Bronco6G.com forum, who spotted illustrations of a Bronco-based ute in an official Ford video, which is unlisted but embedded above.

It looks like the ute will use the standard Bronco for its underpinnings, rather than the Bronco Sport, which has already been linked with a half-tonne ute, potentially badged Maverick. There is a chance the sketch is of the Maverick but let’s play along with the idea of a Bronco ute.

Those are definitely pick-up trucks but will it become reality?

Other rumours say the vehicle will get the Bronco’s GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain) off-road management system, along with the same model grades as the SUV.

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If the Bronco ute does happen, rest assured it’ll be an extremely competent off-roader.

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That means Ford is considering building an outdoorsy ute out of an outdoorsy SUV, which was already based on an outdoorsy ute in the form of the locally sold Ranger. Weird, right?

Over in the States, the Bronc-ute would be positioned as an alternative to the Jeep Gladiator, essentially a reworked Wrangler with a tray.

Last year, Automobile magazine claimed to have inside knowledge of the vehicle, saying it will be revealed in 2024 or 2025.

As a reminder, the Bronco SUV will be available with two different powertrains, the familiar 2.3-litre Ecoboost turbo-four making 201kW/420Nm and a larger 2.7-litre Ecoboost V6 with 231kW/542Nm. The former is available with a Getrag seven-speed manual or a ten-speed auto while the latter can only be had with the automatic.

As for even more performance, Ford doesn’t seem that keen on giving the Bronco a V8 like Jeep has done but never say never. Another possibility is the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 found in the F-150 Raptor.

Despite the Bronco family already using a right-hand drive platform, we assume Ford doesn’t want to steal sales from the Ranger, Explorer and Escape (the basis of the Bronco Sport) by not offering the Broncos here. That doesn’t stop us wanting one, though…