The Bronco may even have a V8, but we’re a bit skeptical about that.
Okay, look, we’re all part of a family here, so I can be honest with you guys. I want there to be a Ford Bronco Raptor in the world. Given the fact that we have an F-150 Raptor and a Ranger Raptor, it makes total sense for Ford to bring the name over into their SUVs. Particularly when it comes to a blue-blooded, truck-based off-road SUV like the 2021 Ford Bronco is ostensibly supposed to be.
So you can imagine my joy this morning when we received information from a source close to the Bronco’s development that Ford will in fact build a Bronco Raptor. That’s exciting enough in itself, but there are a few other angles to this story. Another source claiming to be in the know on the goings-on within Ford said the powers that be are in talks about slotting a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 into the mix. Oh yes.
It may well just be a claim — as Ford has not announced official information just yet — but that could be a major development if that, or any of these other rumors, comes to pass.
But this engine does make sense.
Going on all the information we have so far, the 2021 Ford Bronco will ride on the Ranger’s platform. It’s highly unlikely that Ford will cram a huge V8 engine to create a Bronco Raptor, as much as we might want one. This idea is akin to fitting the upcoming 7.3-liter gas V8 in the 2020 Ford Super Duty into the F-150 Raptor. Sure, some enthusiasts may make the expensive engine swap, but Ford does not officially plan to do that in factory trucks.
It is worth noting, per our tipster, that there are “still talks about the 5.0 but we doubt there would be a business case for it.” I can’t help but agree there. However, the source also says the 2021 Ford Bronco will emerge with a 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, similar to what’s in the Ford Edge ST or the Ford F-150. Now that is a claim that makes more sense, especially on a higher-end Bronco model. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine in the Edge produces 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, and comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
What about the looks?
Currently, folks are hoping, begging Ford not to build a Bronco anything close to the prototypes we’ve seen on the road so far. “It’s hideous!”, is the gist of those comments. Don’t worry, the 2021 Ford Bronco won’t look like that. We’ve only seen the “production” car’s shape under a sheet so far, but we do know it will have a boxy look similar to the Broncos of old.
Our sources provides more information by saying, “Prototypes that have been seen on the road are called “X1″ prototypes. Pretty much just a cut and shut proving out the drivetrain.” The source claims there are also a number of prototype broncos named “Rock Monster”.
That has us curious, as well. Is that code for a potential Bronco Raptor? I’m wondering, by virtue of the recently revealed 2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor, if that’s code for more of a rock-crawling special trim Bronco — something that will go toe-to-toe with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Will the Ford Bronco have a removable top?
Speaking of the Jeep Wrangler, one of our sources claims the 2021 Ford Bronco aims directly at the Wrangler. That’s not terribly surprising, but the Bronco may also have a removable top. That would be an honest homage to the old-style Bronco, but that is a surprising development, as we expected Ford to build this as a hardtop truck-based SUV.
Baby Bronco = Bronco Maverick
A few names have floated around for a potential “baby Bronco”. We’ve used that term as shorthand for Ford’s small off-road SUV that, as of yet, does not have an official name. Both our sources state, though, that Bronco Maverick will exist somewhere in the Bronco lineup.
There is conflicting information, though, about what the “Bronco Maverick” will actually be. It may either be an entry-level trim, complete with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which a recent leak suggested would be at least one of the powertrains in the new Bronco. “The single-exhaust Broncos and Raptors are the 2.3 Mavericks whilst the twin pea-shooter exhausts are the 2.7 prototypes.” So, there may be different engines and different names within the same model family, or there could be two separate models: Bronco Maverick and the “full-fledged” Bronco.
Still a lot of unknowns on the Ford Bronco
The story on the 2021 Ford Bronco is still developing at this point. We want to reiterate that Ford has released almost no official information whatsoever, beyond the fact that the new Bronco will arrive in 2020. What’s more, Ford will not comment on any future products beyond what the company has already shared.
Let us know what you think is most likely in the comments! Check out the 2021 Ford Bronco in action below:
