By now, everyone knows that a new Ford Bronco is imminent. You should also know that it premieres on July 13, but as a reminder, Ford released this new teaser video to whet our appetite for the reborn off-road. Unfortunately, there is nothing to see regarding the Bronco in action, but there is a lot to hear of the engine tucked under the hood.
The 35-second video is a first-person perspective of the new Bronco that addresses almost every environment except paved roads. We see two-way trails that traverse extensive grasslands, dirt roads that wind around rocky outcrops, forest roads, open desert, mud, snow, whatever. Every once in a while we hear the unmistakable growl of a six-cylinder, confirming that at least some trim levels will have that engine. The question is, what six pot could it be?
The top candidate is Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6, which delivers impressive 325 horsepower. It is believed that this was the engine that powered the Ford Bronco R Baja, and it would certainly be an exciting street version. However, there are two other gasoline V6 engines in Ford’s stable: a 3.3-liter mill that develops 290 hp and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost biturbo engine that generates 375 hp. The latter seems extremely unlikely in anything less than a Bronco Raptor, but the base V6 could be a viable option.
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Another widely speculated engine possibility is not a V6 at all. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder develops 270 hp in the Ford Ranger, and could keep the station under the hood of the Bronco for some models. Yes, we clearly hear a V6 noise in this clip, but only in some places. Music does a good job of hiding engine noise in other areas, so there is still some mystery in the mix here.
That mystery will be solved in just two weeks. After several delays due to the coronavirus and an awkward coincidence with OJ Simpson’s birthday, The 2021 Bronco will debut at a special live event on July 13. You can see that happen live right here at Motor1.com.
