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One of the most exciting aspects of EV technology when applied to off-road vehicles is the abundant and instantaneous torque it brings. Ford is almost certainly considering the release of a fully electric Bronco sometime in the future and two aftermarket companies have already created electric versions of the Bronco while using a classic Bronco body as a foundation for their work.

Will the high-performance Broncos of tomorrow will be able to compete with the Wrangler 392 and Defender without a proper V8 engine under the hood? Ford was very proud when the manufacturer originally introduced the twin-turbo V6 Raptor, but for 2022, this model will be getting a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with 760 hp straight from the Shelby GT500. This is a strong indication that buyers of high-performance trucks believe more in classic V8 configuration than in high-tech downsized engines that might match V8 power and performance, but not its feel or image. So, if Ford realized that Raptor needs a V8, will they understand that Bronco needs one, too?

Combining a legendary name and a relatively new technology can open a whole new world of performance for the Bronco lineup in the form of a Shelby Bronco. Shelby's legacy is symbolized by throaty V8 engines and world-class performance, but Ford might choose to go a different route and provide its future Shelby Bronco with insane acceleration times that are courtesy of a powerful battery pack. 

The unprecedented hype surrounding the Bronco brand shows that Ford has hit home runs with both the resurrected Bronco and the Bronco Sport. Getting to this point has been an enormous effort for Ford, so the questions remain, what will be the next chapter in the Bronco's story? What can we expect in the future, and in which direction will Ford steer this revolutionary SUV?

 

Ford has proven its ability and willingness to embrace change in order to keep up with the ever-evolving automotive landscape, even when their moves seemed to run contrary to conventional wisdom. Its EcoBoost turbocharged engine and use of a hallowed nameplate -- the venerable Mustang -- on a thoroughly dissimilar, all electric vehicles are examples of this boldness.  Now, the next step will likely be to introduce and recategorize more sub-brands, including the Bronco, that are designed to appeal to specific market niches and buyer types. Let's take a look at what may be on Ford's horizon. 

Just yesterday, the eagle-eyed paparazzi spotted a slightly different Bronco Warthog prototype, which almost shattered all of our predictions. Even though this Bronco mule looks like any other, it features several crucial changes and clues. The first is a bright orange high-voltage cable running underneath the vehicle, and it is used in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This is a pretty big giveaway since such cables are not used in solely gas-powered models.

Ford knows that customization is key where the Bronco is concerned, and from the very beginning of its development, it was a major design imperative. The idea of the modular vehicle goes far beyond just the number of available options, components, and exterior parts. To create a truly customizable vehicle, engineers and designers needed to construct a platform that would welcome modification and allow customers fast and straightforward removal and installation of various body parts, suspension components, and trim.

So far, Ford has experienced several unexpected setbacks from the global pandemic, problems with its supplier of Bronco hard tops and -- most recently --  a shortage of computer chips, all of which pushed the model's production date further into the future. However, just a couple days ago, an industry insider publicly released information about the definitive start of production, which should happen less than a month from now. On March 29^th, to be precise.

Even though the Base Bronco is probably the least desirable model based on order history, it still offers many features, tough mechanics, and impressive off-road capabilities. The Base Bronco might be just the model for those who aren't looking for flashy trim, expensive options, and limited edition models. It's honest, cheap, and has all the essential bits. Sometimes the less is more, and we believe this is the case here.