I'm sure Dearborn has an ample array of those for testing. Moab is a shot at Jeep, but that thing doesn't look like much of a threat.
When Ford does have some prototypes with the proper sheetmetal there is a good chance it will be testing in secret for a while. Perhaps somewhere remote, without prying eyes and camera lenses. That time frame may have already started if the '3 or more months after the baby' time frame has been met.
I'm sure it's already out there. Either hiding in remote testing areas. Or in plain sight with a jeep body on it. Or just a much more clever frankenranger body, regular cab shortbed. Only people that know there isn't such a thing in the USA would notice it immediately.
That would mean it was still just in the mule phase of testing, and not a prototype like the baby, which ought to have all of its systems in place to make sure they're integrated, balanced and tuned to work together properly.
Agreed, looks like the first, boxy Escapes, but somehow lower to the ground.
I'm sure there will be packages. An fx4 or off road package, something a little more urban with more wheel less tire. Something sporty, then something basic. Or something along those lines.
With what I have seen in the industry. I'm beginning to wonder If they will make the goal of Q2 2021. That being said. Yes generally speaking 10-12 month bbn of real world testing. Lots of miles in different climates. Testing in NVH chambers, weather testing chambers, etc etc. You seem knowledgeable about it all. I was hoping we would have gotten the ford contract in the facility I work in. But if we did, we would have prototype tools and early production tooling for process testing. Usually we have tooling for 10+ months before a vehicle launch. Allowing us to work out kinks and whatnot.
I assume it will mirror the ranger. Small amounts going out in Q1 with them being actually available Q2 forward
The Bronco will be manufactured at Michigan Assembly Plant along side the Ranger. This whole plant was overhauled last year for the north American ranger and this overhaul included provisions for the new Bronco and new Ranger, so a lot of that ground work is already laid out thankfully. (This is the plant where they used to make the focus RIP)
