Small Utility - BabyB

[BroncoRevital]

...or the shadow could just represent "heritage" and the orange one is the real Bronco, I know, sad thought.

NO. I don't mean to be a Nickp here but no.

There are some outlets that continually refer to the small utility as a "Renegade fighter" even though it is sure to be nearly a foot longer etc. and better compared to a Cherokee two models larger.

TFL has also repeatedly used the image of the baby in articles about the Bronco, as if they can't tell them apart. If the 'experts' on automotive news can't keep this stuff straight, it's no surprise some of the general public is confused.

I feel people got that idea (including myself) that the Baby Bronco would be competing with the Renegade because of the first teased picture and language of the rumored vehicle. It is now much more apparent that it will be more matched up with the Cherokee.

It's very strange and frankly ignorant to me that people would mix up the two. TFL definitely makes their mistakes but are a credible auto news outlet so I can see some people getting confused that are not up to speed. It's news outlets like that that need to stay on the ball and not mislead people.

Sponsored

 

[Bronco II]

I really don't think these are the same car the top one is the baby Bronco and Frankenranger is a drivetrain mule for the Wrangler fighter Bronco.

 

[JimmyDean]

I really don't think these are the same car the top one is the baby Bronco and Frankenranger is a drivetrain mule for the Wrangler fighter Bronco.

this would be correct from my observations, between tire size (that top one can't fit those tires), and the amount of bolts on the wheel, they have different drivetrain components.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

I would agree with that. I haven’t seen a direct side view of the short wheelbase ‘2 door’ mule but I think this is a fair guess from what’s out there.

I really don't think these are the same car the top one is the baby Bronco and Frankenranger is a drivetrain mule for the Wrangler fighter Bronco.

If you're responding to the images from Idahorocks then yes, they're two separate models, built entirely differently.

The idea was a comparison of size to illustrate that the "baby Bronco" is not substantialy smaller, and the "baby" appellation is a misnomer that is going to confuse people when that unibody crossover vehicle is in fact larger than the 2-door Bronco.

 

[ChrispyKC]

There are some outlets that continually refer to the small utility as a "Renegade fighter" even though it is sure to be nearly a foot longer etc. and better compared to a Cherokee two models larger.

TFL has also repeatedly used the image of the baby in articles about the Bronco, as if they can't tell them apart. If the 'experts' on automotive news can't keep this stuff straight, it's no surprise some of the general public is confused.

It'll be more of a Cherokee competitor. Renegade is Fiat 500 based which would be more of an EcoSport sized vehicle, maybe just a tiny bit larger.

 

[ChrispyKC]

The “baby bronco” will hands down sell more than the regular bronco. The “baby bronco” is going to be at every rental car counter across the country and I won’t be surprised if it’s in corporate fleet programs now that ford is abandoning sedans both leading to poor resale values.
Fingers are crossed Ford doesn’t mess up the Bronco and “recreate” the wheel with something like the FJ. It’s not just off-road capability that sells the wrangler, it’s selling a lifestyle and image (like Harley Davidson). Jeep owns the market; better handling, faster, more reliable, more comfortable are all wonderful marketing terms and what the public will say they want but people buying Wranglers don’t care about that. Just like Harley owners.

One of the reasons I love my Wrangler is that I don't feel so bad when I abuse it. Run through a river and fill the floors with water, no big deal, hit a small tree on the trail , no problem just replace a fender, it's raining and the top is off, no problem I'll clean it later. If the Bronco is "too nice" and I'll use that very loosely, then it loses some of this appeal that so many Wrangler owners appreciate. I guess what I'm saying is that if it's possible, make it a little more crude and basic than an FJ.

 

[ChrispyKC]

Someone caught it on the road. I don't remember the other ones having dual exhaust, and they certainly put some different wheels/tires on it.

The rear glass is very upright, and could potentially have the same kind of 3rd/5th door mechanism as the Bronco will -- though we haven't seen one with a rear mounted tire yet ...

https://www.tflcar.com/2019/08/a-close-look-at-the-2021-ford-baby-bronco-rear-glass-hatch-tires-exhaust-and-special-camouflage-spied-in-the-wild/
.

.

At least this one is sporting a more rugged tire/wheel size. Must be finalizing that combo before settling on a final wheel design.

 

[Blackcat]

I'm thrown off by the lack of rear side window. Am i missing something?

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

I'm thrown off by the lack of rear side window. Am i missing something?

Like most of the vehicle it is covered in a vinyl wrap, just as the rear window is.

I think it's a bit more visually restrictive than it should be, but if we're going to make some compromises in order to meet rollover standards, I'd rather see it happen back at the C-D pillar than up front.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

At least this one is sporting a more rugged tire/wheel size. Must be finalizing that combo before settling on a final wheel design.

Perhaps just a trim difference, but the outside diameter seems significantly greater.

 

[ChrispyKC]

Perhaps just a trim difference, but the outside diameter seems significantly greater.

Looks like a Falken Wild Peak tire which was/is OEM equipment on Wrangler Rubicon. That's pretty good news for what they think about this vehicle if it remains an option.

 

[ChrispyKC]

I'm thrown off by the lack of rear side window. Am i missing something?

The entire wrap is stretched over foam block and also over the roof rails. The rear and side windows are covered in perforated vinyl that is easy to see out of from the inside but from the outside in has an opaque appearance. Back when the SVT Contour was in development the evaluation drivers would swing by my dealership on part of their route. We had a separate small shop where we did reconditioning work and they would bring the three development cars in and pull off the camo. There was basic velcro holding most of it on and some foam underneath to conceal particular body lines.

One car they had was called "The Batmobile". It was covered in matte black plastic cladding concealing the body lines, I think that might have been the first gen Escape when it was also in development.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

Some details on the sibling to the small rugged utility, the 'Courier' (P758), and perhaps what some are confusing as a Gladiator fighter because its a "Bronco pickup" ...

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/ford-focus-ute

The C2 platform is what the new Escape and babyB are also being built on.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

Motor1 reports a new sighting, but the wheels are different in each photo and the film wraps don't match, so these are two separate vehicles most likely ... Clearly showing a 5-lug pattern. I suspect this is about as much sidewall as you'll see on this car.

https://www.motor1.com/news/372952/ford-baby-bronco-spy-shots/amp/
.

.

.

eta: Definitely giving the photographer some credit on this one, they got up close and personal ...

.

.

.

 

[nameuser]

Note to self....
Seems to be overheating...........Needs a bigger radiator or maybe another slit cut in the wrap...