Azure Gray Metallic 2023 Bronco (w/ new rock rails design) -- first look sighting

[Sixtysixpride]

For those looking for an example on a Bronco. Was driving in some thick traffic so the pictures aren’t the greatest.

Updated with photo of Area 51 vs Azure Gray on official Bronco water bottle paint samples:

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[Beach_Bum]

For those looking for an example on a Bronco. Was driving in some thick traffic so the pictures aren’t the greatest.

Thanks for the photos as these are the first of Azure Gray on a Bronco. Seeing the color on a Bronco and how it plays with the body lines provides more insight then seeing it photographed on other vehicles.

One feature that your photograph didn't intend to reveal is that there appears to be a change to the rock rails to accommodate the optional hoop step. The hoop step was first introduced on the Everglades for MY'22. It will now be an option on other trims for MY'23. But the rock rail looks different than the rock rail for MY'21 and MY'22 (excluding the Everglades). I wonder if the OG rail design is standard (Black Diamond and Badlands) and only if the optional hoop step is selected that the new rail design is included?

Closeup of the rock rails:

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

For those looking for an example on a Bronco. Was driving in some thick traffic so the pictures aren’t the greatest.

The bottom angle color in direct light really looks good to me. Top is what throws me off how it flips in indirect light. It's sunny here most of the time so hopefully I'll be seeing it more from that perspective.

This pic is going to incite the black mod top people though, maybe Ford will change their mind as the MY progresses. If you're out and about again and see it can you get video vice pics? That would show how it changes but thanks for posting these.

 

[Sixtysixpride]

The bottom angle color in direct light really looks good to me. Top is what throws me off how it flips in indirect light. It's sunny here most of the time so hopefully I'll be seeing it more from that perspective.

This pic is going to incite the black mod top people though, maybe Ford will change their mind as the MY progresses. If you're out and about again and see it can you get video vice pics? That would show how it changes but thanks for posting these.

FYI the good photo was taken with the window down but the other one was through a tinted window so it skews it a little bit. But yes I agree th color looks great. What Area51 should have been in my opinion. And true but I heard they’re still struggling with the mod top, glad to see they’re back out on test vehicles at least. Maybe they’re going to try and surprise the market. Better to say it’s not available now and come later than say it’s gonna be late and not have it on time yet again.

 

[BigDaddySquatch]

So if you include A51 we're up to 4 grey/silvers? Two blacks with shadow and AMB. And a white.

Bold color choices Ford.

I don't even consider Area 51 or Azure Grey to be grays, they are blue and damn near the same color. Also, there's no more AMB.

 

[TXAG96]

50 shades of grey seems to be the them of the Bronco color palette

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Are those wheels new?

 

[Administrator]

Thanks for the photos as these are the first of Azure Gray on a Bronco. Seeing the color on a Bronco and how it plays with the body lines provides more insight then seeing it photographed on other vehicles.

One feature that your photograph didn't intend to reveal is that there appears to be a change to the rock rails to accommodate the optional hoop step. The hoop step was first introduced on the Everglades for MY'22. It will now be an option on other trims for MY'23. But the rock rail looks different than the rock rail for MY'21 and MY'22 (excluding the Everglades). I wonder if the OG rail design is standard (Black Diamond and Badlands) and only if the optional hoop step is selected that the new rail design is included?

Closeup of the rock rails:

Added enhanced closeup look rock rails.

 

[NC_Pinz]

We really need to see A51 and Azure next to each other.

 

[Beach_Bum]

...

One feature that your photograph didn't intend to reveal is that there appears to be a change to the rock rails to accommodate the optional hoop step. The hoop step was first introduced on the Everglades for MY'22. It will now be an option on other trims for MY'23. But the rock rail looks different than the rock rail for MY'21 and MY'22 (excluding the Everglades). I wonder if the OG rail design is standard (Black Diamond and Badlands) and only if the optional hoop step is selected that the new rail design is included?

Closeup of the rock rails:

With the close-up photo added, it confirms the rock rail has changed to accommodate the hoop step. Hard to tell on the angle of the rail as that may be lighting giving it a less tucked in appearance. But for sure, the length of the rail has been truncated as it doesn't cover the front fender's pinch weld. I just checked on my Black Diamond and the rail covers that area completely. And many encountered problems with mud flaps on trims with rails as they protruded further than the fitment of the mudflap allowed requiring trimming of the rail or mudflap.

Edit: It is still unclear if there will be two different rock rail designs for MY'23 depending on the optional hoop step being selected. For a transitional year, we may see both styles until inventory is exhausted. And eventually, all BD/BL will get the new rail design.

The caveat is that if the angle of the rail design has changed to accommodate the hoop step. Then vendors who offer their own step for fitment on the current rock rail will need to update their design as it will be obsolete.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Are those wheels new?

No. They are the upgraded aluminum wheel on the BD.

 

[mintypickleman]

Might as well be Area 52...

 

[illverado]

Looks like a mod top too yeah?

 

[Dad life]

I'm not a fan of Area 51 AND I'm frankly tired of seeing it everywhere. I like this color in a vacuum but don't understand it given the current color set, and I certainly don't get why it's an extra cost option when compared to something like Cyber Orange, which is a brilliant color in person (just not for me).

I do think this will look great on the Everglades, but I preferred the tan option myself.

 

[Zootsgeorge]

For those looking for an example on a Bronco. Was driving in some thick traffic so the pictures aren’t the greatest.

Those are not rock rails that’s the removable hoop step option

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