The Baby Bronco was teased to U.S. dealers in November 2018 as the “yet-to-be-named off-road SUV.” The computer-generated images showcase a squared-off silhouette with round LED headlamps, F O R D lettering on the front grille, and all-terrain tires. According to a tipster, both the Baby Bronco and Bronco are supposed to be released within a few months of each other.
As a competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, the mid-size Bronco is a body-on-frame SUV with underpinnings from the 2019 Ford Ranger. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 could be the engine of choice for this model. In addition to an automatic transmission, chances are that Ford will offer a seven-speed manual.
Turning our attention back to the Baby Bronco, there’s no denying the C2 allows Ford to hybridize the off-road crossover. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are coming to the Escape, both based around the 2.5-liter Atkinson four-cylinder engine. The 1.5- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost are also available, and if there’s a case to be made for a performance-oriented version, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost sounds a-OK for this application.
In regard to production, the Baby Bronco could be manufactured alongside the Escape at the Louisville plant in Kentucky. Pricing information isn’t available for the time being, but don’t expect the all-new Escape to be that more expensive than the 2019 model year. The compact crossover starts at $24,105 excluding destination charge.
