Ford Bronco debuted in 1966 and since then it has released six generations so far. The iconic SUV marked a long-lasting impact in the three decades it spent in the industry. This legacy is what made people eager to look forward to the release of Ford Bronco’s new model in 2021, after a hiatus of 25 years. Let’s revisit all the Ford Bronco generations and reflect on their features.
Ford Bronco Generations
Ford is one of the oldest yet most popular American car brands with mass production of military jeeps dating back to World War II. An interesting fact about Ford is that it was the largest family-owned business worldwide. After the war ended, the demand for a comfortable ride increased which urged Ford to develop a classic sports utility vehicle named Ford Bronco.
Here we have discussed how the Ford Bronco generation evolved through the decades and became one of the most sought-after SUVs.
First Generation Ford Bronco (1966 – 1977)
The Bronco was designed by Lee Lacocca and Donald Frey, the designers of the Ford Mustang, as an off-roading SUV. The design of the first-generation Ford Bronco was somewhat similar to the Jeep CJ.
The first generation Ford Bronco was released in three different body styles; a station wagon, a roadster, and a half-cab. The features of these body styles are detailed below.
- The Wagon was a two-door vehicle with a removable hardtop.
- The Roadster featured inserts instead of doors and was roofless. However, it went off the market shortly in 1968.
- The Half-cab, also known as the ‘Sports Utility Pickup’, featured two rear bench seats and a hardtop, making it look like a mini pickup. However, it was taken off as well in 1972.
Therefore, the Wagon was the only winner among all body styles of the first-generation Ford Bronco. It featured a four-wheel-drive and three-speed manual transmission paired with a 4.7-litre V8 engine capable of delivering 200 horsepower. In 1968, the engine was replaced with a more powerful 4.9-litre V8 engine. Whereas, a three-speed automatic transmission was added to the 1973 model of the Ford Bronco.
Second Generation Ford Bronco (1978 – 1979)
The second-generation Ford Bronco was intended for launch in 1974, but it got delayed due to the fuel crisis. In 1978, Ford Bronco’s next generation was released with a removable hardtop, F-100 as a base and a powerful 5.8-litre V8 engine delivering 135 horsepower.
Two different transmission options; a four-speed manual and automatic, were available for the ‘78 and ‘79 models of Ford Bronco. In the Ford Bronco model history, this generation was the first to feature automatic transmission and it came with a four-wheel-drive system as well.
Among all Ford Bronco generations, the second one was quite short-lived as it went off the market in 1979. It was the last Bronco model featuring a solid front axle and round headlights.
Third Generation Ford Bronco (1980 – 1986)
The third generation Ford Bronco was manufactured as a full-size SUV but it was kept smaller than Ford Bronco older models. The engine showcased a six-cylinder inline engine paired with a four-wheel-drive system, and a 4.9-litre V8 to deliver 115 horsepower.
In 1982, the third-generation Bronco increased its horsepower to 150. While, by the end of this generation’s life, the engine was upgraded to 5.8-litre V8 delivering 210 horsepower and a 4.9-litre, V8 delivering 190 horsepower paired with electric fuel injection. Different transmission options were offered in this generation of Ford Bronco including a four-speed manual, and three-speed and four-speed automatic transmissions with an overdrive option.
Moreover, the third-generation Ford Bronco used F-150 as a base and featured an independent front suspension. Such features turned the Bronco into a comfortable ride for daily drivers as well as a high-performance vehicle for off-roaders.
The Sad Saga of The Bronco II (1984 – 1990)
In the Ford Bronco history, Bronco II was introduced in 1984 and it lasted till 1990. This model was released as a significantly smaller version of Bronco and as an alternative for single drivers or couples. It used the basis of the Ford Ranger.
Due to safety concerns, the Bronco II got discontinued right after six years. This is because the Bronco II could roll over for no reason at all due to its light weight and proportions.
Fourth Generation Ford Bronco (1987 – 1991)
The fourth generation Ford Bronco was released in 1987 when Ford updated its F-series pickup. This generation received a major change, that is, an aero body style, an updated cabin, and electronic fuel injection. Whereas, the rear anti-lock brakes were added as safety features.
Later in the 1980s, Ford Bronco was regarded as a popular SUV with the release of its variants including a Nite edition and an Eddie Bauer edition. Also, a Silver Anniversary Ford Bronco was released to commemorate 25 years of Ford’s mass production. This Bronco variant had an ultimate towing capability of 7,500 pounds.
Fifth Generation Ford Bronco (1992 – 1996)
The fifth-generation Ford Bronco only lived from 1992 to 1996. It debuted in 1991 for the 1992 model year. The 1992 Ford Bronco was marketed as the ‘Smartest Bronco Ever’.
The vehicle’s body and style saw only minor alterations, but several new safety and utility features were included. Three-point seat belts, driver-side airbags, and, by 1994, an air conditioning system were introduced as all firsts for this generation. This generation continued the Eddie Bauer and Nite editions as well.
The last Bronco of the fifth generation was rolled out in 1996. The dependable two-door SUV was soon replaced in the Ford lineup by the four-door Ford Expedition. Over a million Broncos were produced throughout the vehicle’s 31-year lifetime.
If you are looking for a Ford, you can buy one for yourself from any of these Ford showrooms in the UAE.
Sixth Generation Ford Bronco (2021 – Present)
The sixth-generation Ford Bronco marked its comeback in 2021, after a long pause of 25 years. It returned with innovative features, cool retro styling, and outstanding off-road capabilities while maintaining style cues from the old Bronco.
Both the two-door and four-door versions of the mid-size SUV have detachable doors and a top. Turbocharged 2.3-litre, 2.7-litre, or 3.0-litre engines paired to a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission power all four wheels.
Available Trims of Sixth Generation Ford Bronco
The following trims are available for the sixth-generation Ford Bronco.
- Base Trim
- Big Bend
- Black Diamond
- First Edition
- Outer Banks
- Wildtrak
- Raptor
- Badlands
- Heritage
- Everglades
That’s a wrap on Ford Bronco generations and its features. The aforementioned models reflect how this iconic SUV is among the top tiers in the automobile industry. Innovative design, advanced technological features, and durable performance have been reflected as core features in all generations of Ford Bronco. Therefore, if you wish to get your hands on such a power-packed car, browse through these used Ford Bronco cars for sale in the UAE. Moreover, you can also explore these used Ford models for sale in the UAE and drive your own Ford.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more information on different car model histories and features.
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