We've All Heard The Rumors About The All-new Ford Bronco, But The Spies Have The One That Should TERRIFY The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

One of the most eagerly anticipated vehicles of recent memory is the all-new Ford Bronco. Set to make an appearance as a 2020 model year product, everyone is getting amped up about it.

This is happening with good reason. Buyers are dying to have sport-utility vehicles and trucks.

And if Ford is content with wiping away its car portfolio, you know something BIG is happening.

While we think the upcoming Bronco should give the Jeep Wrangler a run for its money, we've been hearing whispers about something that's much, much more frightening to the Jeep brand. Something that could take down the almighty Wrangler Rubicon.

That would be a Ford Bronco Raptor.

According to what we're hearing, the trim levels will go along the lines of: Base, mid, Titanium, Power Stroke Diesel and then the badass Raptor, which will sit atop. For the skeptics out there, this is a perfect plan for the Bronco to leverage the F-150's brand equity built up in the much-loved Raptor.

Now if Ford executes this right, you can say "Bye bye" to the Wrangler Rubicon.

TomM - 5/2/2018 6:41:40 AM

+3 Boost

THat REALLY depends on whether FORD has made it WOrldwide Small Truck platform lighter with more Aluminum. I doubt it.

THe Bronco is not based on the F150 platform as far as I know - it is an offshoot of Ford bringing their Rest of the world mid-size pick up to the USA - and using that platform for the Bronco.

Remember - Chrysler has one more ace in the hole - they can add the Hemi to the Jeep.

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 1:38:33 PM

+2 Boost

A 5.7L V8 would be rather heavy for the rugged, go anywhere, minimalist 4-door Wrangler Unlimited. Right? This a where a nice 4.0L TT-V6 from Jeep/Dodge/SRT would be appreciated.

But I'm not an outdoorsy-guy. I love the new Wrangler. If I got it, mine would never see a river, rock/dirt trails, mountains - except for the ones I pass on the Penna Pike driving on the highway through the Appalachian Mtns. ijs.

MDarringer - 5/2/2018 8:07:09 AM

0 Boost

Totally irrelevant comment: "THat REALLY depends on whether FORD has made it WOrldwide Small Truck platform lighter with more Aluminum."

The fact is that Ford would be foolish NOT to do Raptor versions of the Ranger and Bronco. Will it vanquish the Wrangler? Hardly, but it will be felt.

I actually think that the Bronco could very well displace sales of a plethora of sedans and crossovers in the market. You could see the Bronco have the Wrangler's volume without the Wrangler losing volume given how the market is shifting.

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 1:31:06 PM

+2 Boost

I thought I already mentioned that the new Bronco was featured in the upcoming Jurassic World movie. I think they should a bit of the side profile in one of the trailers for the film.

skytop - 5/3/2018 9:13:34 AM

+2 Boost

The article is seriously exaggerated about Ford wiping out the Jeep Rubicon. I had 3 Bronco during the 1980's and early 1990's for work. Ford never got the Bronco right and failed to evolve the Bronco over its production life. That thinking still exists at Ford so I have very guarded hope that the new Bronco will be a 'game changer.'

Jeep is now releasing its new JL generation of Wrangler. The fresh new Jeep offers good advancements and will satisfy many old and new Jeep owners. Let Ford and Jeep duke it out. The buying public will be the winner.

senft - 5/7/2018 6:31:01 AM

+1 Boost

The big question: Whether the Wrangler market is so big that a Bronco can sell without taking away many Wrangler sales. Just how big a global market is there for Wrangler-like vehicles? Is there room for two? (Surely Ford thinks so.)
Bonus question: What about China?

MDarringer - 5/7/2018 8:11:57 AM

+1 Boost

I predict two things: (1) the Jeep Wrangler will be just fine and (2) the Bronco will sell as well. People are shifting rapidly away from sedans, so if you look at the Wrangler's volume and ask "how much bigger can the segment be" as a limit then you're looking at it wrong. The broad success of the Wrangler points to a market that could be larger. The volume of Wrangler/Bronco type vehicles could easily double in my opinion.