It’s no secret the 2021 Ford Bronco has captured people’s imagination.
190,000 consumers’ imaginations have been so captured, they’ve reserved one of the Blue Oval brand’s rugged new off-roaders.
Ford confirmed the lofty tally as it activated the build-and-price tool on its US website.
In an interview with Autoblog, Ford’s US marketing manager Mark Grueber confirmed just under half of all reservations have the Sasquatch Package, which adds 35-inch off-road tyres, locking front and rear differentials and a suspension lift kit, among other off-road features.
Setting aside the limited-run (and sold out) First Edition, the flagship Bronco wears the Wildtrak name and it’s proved to be one of the most popular variants. It accounted for 26 per cent of all reservations, with the Badlands one rung below accounting for 20 per cent.
Four-door Broncos account for two-thirds of all reservations, though the manual transmission – available only with the four-cylinder engine – accounts for only around 10 per cent.
Grueber told Autoblog the company is watching message boards to see what customers are after, and it was online activity that led Ford to accelerate development of a manual Bronco with the Sasquatch Package, due late next year.
One thing you won’t be able to order for your Bronco, however, are the ‘donut doors’ featured prominently in reveal photos.
CarBuzz reports the option was nixed due to unfavourable crash data, though Ford will still offer an accessory catalogue with more than 200 items.
Ford hasn’t locked in the Bronco for Australia and strong demand in North America – where waiting lists have reached 18 months – will likely slow any local launch.
Based on a version of the T6 architecture underpinning the Ranger and Everest, the four-wheel drive Bronco offers a choice of two engines.
The turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine produces 201kW of power and 420Nm of torque and is mated to either a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 makes 231kW and 540Nm and is available only with the auto.
Base 
Big Bend 
Black Diamond 
Outer Banks 
Wildtrak
The range opens with the base Bronco, rising through Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak and limited-run First Edition models, with prices starting at US$28,500 (A$40,020) for the base two-door and topping out at US$61,605 (A$86,506) for the First Edition four-door.
Ford’s also reportedly working on a range-topping Bronco Raptor, due in 2023.
Both two- and four-door models feature removable roof panels for all passengers, along with removable quarter window panels while the hardtop is in place. A soft top is standard on the four-door model.
The removable doors are frameless, something Ford touts as a class-exclusive.
Two four-wheel drive systems are offered across the range. The less advanced of the two features a two-speed electronic transfer case, while the “advanced” setup gains an automatic mode capable of moving between modes depending on what’s required.
There’s a Dana 44 solid rear axle and an independent Dana front-differential unit, although Spicer Performa-TraK electronic differential locks are available.
