Let’s get if off our chests. We knew from the very beginning the Bronco would get the 2.3-liter EcoBoost from the Ranger considering how similar the two mid-sizers are. Not only are they joined at the hip, but the Big B will enter series production for the 2021 model year at the Michigan plant where the pickup truck is made since the 2019 model year.
A year ago, Matthew the Car Guy got a hint from a parts store computer about what lurks under the hood of the body-on-frame utility vehicle. Listed as “Ford Truck” under make and “Bronco” under model, the computer in question also mentioned “4-140 2.3L DOHC.”
140 cubic inches translates to 2.3 liters, four is the number of cylinders, and yes – the EcoBoost has a twin-cam valvetrain. Before going any further, press play and skip to the 1:16 mark of the video at the end of this story.
“Sounds exactly like my 2019 Ford Ranger when it auto stop-started,” said a YouTube user in the comments section, confirming what we all knew since Ford announced the return of the Bronco in January 2017. If you don't believe him, search for start-up videos of the Ranger with the stock exhaust.
Andre Smirnov caught the camouflaged prototype in the wild in Colorado with street tires, frameless windows, and a makeshift exhaust. At 1 minute and 35 seconds, the test driver can be seen giving Andre the thumbs up as if he wanted to assure us all that the Bronco was worth the wait.
“July 2020” is when Ford will livestream the unveiling the two- and four-door utility vehicle. The 2.3-liter, however, won’t be the only engine option.
Remember when the Blue Oval showcased the Bronco R race truck in a promo video? The dune basher exhibited the unmistakable sound of a six-cylinder EcoBoost, most likely the 2.7-liter in the Edge ST and F-150.
But that’s not all, oh no! Word has it the Bronco Raptor is coming too, and it will stand out from its siblings with the help of a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. The Lincoln Aviator features this engine as standard, rated at 400 horsepower (406 PS) and 400 pound-feet (542 Nm) of torque.
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