All-New Ford Bronco Bucks On In

Ford unveils new 2021 bronco, but the ranger-based suv and off-roader won’t be coming to australia.

- Matt Raudonikis

After months of leaked images, CGI renderings and a pandemic-delayed unveiling, Ford has officially pulled the wraps off its Bronco family of SUVs.

Revealed in three variants, the initial Bronco line-up includes two- and four-door off-roaders built on the Ford Ranger/Everest T6 platform with removable roofs and doors, and a light-duty SUV which is built on the Ford Escape platform.

It is expected the Bronco family will grow to possibly include a pick-up truck at some time in the future. There’s also room for some Ford Performance-tweaked models at some time.

BRONCO RETURNS AFTER 24 YEARS

THE new Bronco, expected to go on sale in the USA later this year, marks the first time the nameplate has been applied to a production model since it was shelved back in 1996.

It debuted as a compact 4x4 in 1966 to create a vehicle that had the capabilities of the WW2 Jeep in a more everyday practical and comfortable package. The Bronco soon grew to a full-size SUV and went through five generations of models before being discontinued.

BRONCO’S AUSTRALIAN ROOTS

THE third-gen Bronco was even built and sold in Australia between 1981 to 1987, when it was assembled in Ford’s Brisbane plant.

The Australian connection is there again in this new generation of Bronco, which is built on the Australian-developed T6 platform that underpins PX Ranger and Everest. Bronco test ‘Mules’ have been spotted undergoing development in Australia, which is nothing unusual for Ford US products.