A fresh report out of the United States claims Ford is planning a double-cab bakkie version of its new Bronco, despite a potential overlap with the Ranger.
According to automobilemag.com, a Bronco bakkie is most certainly on the cards. However, the publication’s sources indicate it will arrive only in mid-2024, despite internal efforts to bring that date forward.
The Bronco pickup would, of course, compete directly with Jeep’s Wrangler-based Gladiator. The publication claims it will use the same 231 kW/542 N.m turbocharged 2,7-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine and 201 kW/420 N.m turbocharged 2,3-litre EcoBoost four-pot as the SUV. The seven-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmissions should carry over, too.
Interestingly, automobilemag.com furthermore suggests the Dearborn-based firm could drop its naturally aspirated 5,0-litre V8 petrol mill into the bakkie to create a flagship variant.
As the publication points out, the addition of a Bronco bakkie to the Blue Oval brand’s range, which already includes the Ranger and F-150, with the unibody Maverick (likely based on the Bronco Sport) on the horizon too, could result in some sales cannibalisation…
