Can the new Ford Bronco SUV conquer the market?
Mar 28, 2024As is well known, off-road vehicles were once the weak point of domestic car manufacturers in previous years. However, in recent years, with the launch of off-road vehicle models such as the Tank 300, FENGON 5, and JETOUR Traveler, it can be said that they cover the hardcore long-distance off-road to the light off-road for suburban outings, and domestic car brands have made great strides in the off-road vehicle market. Yet, in this fiercely competitive market environment, there is still an off-road vehicle that has not officially been launched but has attracted a lot of attention from consumers, and that is the Ford Bronco.
As an off-road vehicle that made its debut as early as 1966, the Ford Bronco has been around for over 50 years and has countless honors to its name. Let's take its specialty, "off-roading," for example. Many people have heard of the Dakar Rally, but among more seasoned off-road enthusiasts, the Baja off-road rally, which took place 12 years before the first Dakar Rally, is globally recognized as the most prestigious off-road race. After all, it is the earliest documented off-road rally event in history.
Those who have watched the Baja off-road rally race know that slamming the accelerator to the floor and speeding and jumping on rough terrain is just the most common scene in this event. The Ford Mustang, which first competed in 1967, has already won as many as 32 championships in this event, which is known as the devil's off-road race. This not only proves the strong performance and off-road capabilities of the Ford Mustang, but also becomes an important reason that many consumers choose it.
So the question is, how does the performance of the Chinese-made Ford Mustang, set to be launched on March 24th, fare?
First, let's look at the most crucial aspect, which is the appearance of the vehicle. Many people are concerned about whether there will be any changes to the appearance of the domestically produced Ford Mustang. However, from the official images released, it can be seen that the domestically produced Ford Mustang still maintains the classic retro design of the first generation model, remaining largely synchronized with the overseas version of the Ford Mustang. Therefore, there is absolutely no need to worry about this aspect, after all, this is the classic tough style and wildness, which is also one of its major selling points.
Since it has become a domestically produced product, it will naturally also undergo optimization and upgrades in some aspects, such as the highly favored and more practical luxury and intelligence by the Chinese people. Therefore, when we shift our focus to the interior of the domestically made Ford Mustang, we'll find that the cabin design has been upgraded and customized for the Chinese market, maintaining its rugged style while also using higher-end luxurious interior materials and equipped with a more technologically advanced central control screen. This undoubtedly aligns very well with the preferences of Chinese consumers.
Due to the fact that the domestic Ford Mustang has not yet officially launched, this has resulted in many vehicle information still being kept confidential. Therefore, below we will look at some vehicle information that has already been officially confirmed. First, looking at the powertrain, the domestic Ford Mustang will be equipped with a longitudinal layout 2.3T turbocharged engine + 10-speed automatic transmission powertrain, capable of producing a maximum horsepower of 275Ps and peak torque of 429N·m, and the performance parameters are quite impressive.
In terms of other hardcore configurations, the domestically-produced Ford Raptor, which adopts a non-load-bearing body design, has a front double-wishbone independent suspension system and a rear five-link integral bridge, as well as 17-inch aluminum alloy anti-skid hub and Michelin 35-inch mud tires, and Bilstein three-stage nitrogen shock absorbers. Its original equipment performance can be said to be very solid, which is also an important reason why many people are optimistic that the car will be able to reshuffle the off-road vehicle market after it is launched.
In addition, as a tough and rugged off-road vehicle, the domestic Ford Bronco is equipped with EMOD intelligent full-time four-wheel drive and has up to three mechanical differential locks. Additionally, the front anti-roll bar can be disconnected to further enhance the vehicle's ability to escape from difficult situations. It is worth noting that the domestic Ford Bronco will not only offer a convertible version with removable doors and a removable top, but also feature an industry-first modular body design with multiple factory-designed modification points, eliminating the need for additional drilling to achieve various modifications.
There is no doubt that from the current performance of the domestic Ford Bronco in terms of configuration, it has already demonstrated the strength to shuffle the off-road vehicle market. After all, off-road vehicles that can simultaneously possess legendary history, powerful performance, and reliable quality can be counted on one hand. However, the final decision will depend on the official pricing after its release. This will be the core factor in determining whether the domestic Ford Bronco can become a sensation!
