The Ford Bronco is Coming Back!

Oct 20, 2016

The Ford Bronco was last released 20 years ago in 1996, after having lasted five generations beginning in 1966. Built in Ford’s Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the Bronco began as a compact SUV. After 12 years in the compact SUV market, the Bronco underwent a massive change in 1978 when it was upgraded to a large SUV by using a modified F-Series truck chassis.

The Ford Bronco II was a smaller version of the Bronco that was produced from 1983 until 1990 and was initially tied to the launch of the all-new Ford Ranger in 1983. The Bronco II was discontinued in 1990; it seems that the full-size Bronco was exactly what people were looking for! The Bronco remained a staple in the SUV world throughout the 1980’s and 90’s. It went through three more generations before appearing in its final incarnation, the 1992 to 1996 series. This fifth and final generation saw the addition of crumple zones, rear shoulder seat belt, driver-side airbags, and a third brake light installed in the top. Since this safety equipment was now integrated into the top of the Bronco, the top was no longer legally allowed to be removed and was secured with “tamper proof” Torx bolts.

The Bronco was discontinued after the 1996 model year and replaced with the larger, four-door Expedition. The Bronco maintained a loyal following, and rumors have popped up many times over the past 20 years that the Bronco would make a triumphant return. Well this time, it’s official: the Ford Bronco is coming back! And will return to the US “no later than 2020.”

There has been a great deal of speculation regarding the exact configuration of the Ford Bronco. The version that retired in 1996 was last build on a shortened F-Series chassis, so many believe that the new Ford Bronco will also be based on an F-Series platform. Others maintain that the Bronco will use the chassis from the Ford Ranger, which, although is no longer available in the US, is still produced and sold internationally. If this is the case, the Bronco may well resemble the Ford Everest, which a 4-door SUV built on the Ranger platform and available internationally. An even smaller group of Bronco fans maintains that the Bronco will be based on the upcoming 2017 Ford Raptor. Speculation is equally divided as to whether the Bronco will feature its iconic two-door look, or if it will be a four-door SUV. If the two-door, there is a slight possibility that the new Bronco may resemble the Troller, a Brazilian made SUV currently build on the Ranger platform. At any rate, we know for sure that after more than two decades, the Ford Bronco will finally be coming back!

In the meantime, check out some concept art of what the new Ford Bronco might look like and ask your local NH Ford dealer for more information!