Photo: CarPix
Back in March 2018, the Ford Motor Company dropped a single photograph of the “yet-to-be-named off-road” small SUV. Or make that a crossover, which is known at the present moment as the Baby Bronco.
Expected to arrive at dealers no later than 2020, the newcomer slots right above the EcoSport in the lineup. It remains to be seen, however, if the Baby Bronco will tread onto compact territory as an indirect replacement for the Focus (and stillborn Focus Active) in the United States.
Spied in Spain during hot-weather testing, the Baby Bronco looks similar to the test mule caught cold-weather testing in March 2018. There are differences, however, at the C-pillars (no black trim) and wheels (four lug nuts instead of five). Even in terms of size, the older prototype is longer than the vehicle we’re talking about today.
“What if Ford is still testing the Fiesta Active?” Considering that the faux crossover is already on sale in Europe, this argument doesn’t hold water. “The Fiesta RS Active something or other?” Not possible either, and it’s easy to understand with a glance at the exhaust system.
We understand the Baby Bronco will share the C2 platform with the Focus, though this doesn’t explain the short wheelbase and four wheel nuts of the test mule. As the Escape (a.k.a. Kuga in Europe) prepares to grow longer for the next generation, it does make sense for the Baby Bronco to be an idea more compact.
Ford has filed the Maverick trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in December 2016, along with Timberline. While it remains to be seen if Maverick will be used for this application, Timberline is more likely to designate a trim level.
Last, but certainly not least, Ford will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and even electric options across the SUV lineup. In the case of the Baby Bronco, the hybrid setup appears to be the most likely scenario.
Spied in Spain during hot-weather testing, the Baby Bronco looks similar to the test mule caught cold-weather testing in March 2018. There are differences, however, at the C-pillars (no black trim) and wheels (four lug nuts instead of five). Even in terms of size, the older prototype is longer than the vehicle we’re talking about today.
“What if Ford is still testing the Fiesta Active?” Considering that the faux crossover is already on sale in Europe, this argument doesn’t hold water. “The Fiesta RS Active something or other?” Not possible either, and it’s easy to understand with a glance at the exhaust system.
We understand the Baby Bronco will share the C2 platform with the Focus, though this doesn’t explain the short wheelbase and four wheel nuts of the test mule. As the Escape (a.k.a. Kuga in Europe) prepares to grow longer for the next generation, it does make sense for the Baby Bronco to be an idea more compact.
Ford has filed the Maverick trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in December 2016, along with Timberline. While it remains to be seen if Maverick will be used for this application, Timberline is more likely to designate a trim level.
Last, but certainly not least, Ford will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and even electric options across the SUV lineup. In the case of the Baby Bronco, the hybrid setup appears to be the most likely scenario.
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