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First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!!

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Behold, as we bring you the first actual (non-mule) Ford Bronco (U725) prototype caught by our photographer testing in Dearborn!!

Up until now Bronco prototypes wearing the production body have been testing only internally and under the cover of darkness to avoid detection. Ford’s finally decided it’s time to let the world see an actual prototype after it released a teaser video last week of a Bronco powertrain/frame mule wearing a modified Ford Ranger body.

This first camouflaged look reveals a four-door Bronco wearing heavy cladding over the entire roof and rear end/trunk. The front clip and grille are heavily disguised with padding and vinyl camouflage.

Nevertheless, we can see that the design hints at an upright stance with a clean, boxy design and upright pillars leading to short front and rear overhangs which should please the off-road crowd. The prototype shows a good amount of ground clearance and a spare wheel on the swing gate complemented by what appear to be production intent tail lamps.

The side view shows a low belt line for good visibility, rounded fenders, running boards that extend the entire length from the front to rear wheels, roomy wheel wells for larger tires and side mirrors which appear to be mounted on the A-pillar (as opposed to the doors).

As for the suspension, there are strong indications of an independent front suspension (IFS) as several photos show a lower A-arm bolt.

Let us know what other details you see!

Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_001
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_002
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_003
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_004
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_005
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_006
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_007
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_008
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_009
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_0010
Ford Bronco First (Actual) 2021 Bronco U725 Prototype SPIED!! 2021_Bronco_0011
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JimmyDean

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Do we really have 530 people online right now? WTH.

Ok, so can't quite make out the front end, looks like it is likely an IFS.

Ground clearance isn't great, isn't horrible. Lots of wheel well room for bigger tires though, very promising.

Tad longer than hoped, but not overly long like the Edge in proportion.

Like the low beltline. Can't wait to see the actual roof and hood lines.
 

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Any cleverer-than-me people able to figure out some tidbits about factory suspension? Front or rear? Is that a panhard rod in the back rather than the everest/ranger raptor's watts link?
 

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JimmyDean

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Any cleverer-than-me people able to figure out some tidbits about factory suspension? Front or rear? Is that a panhard rod in the back rather than the everest/ranger raptor's watts link?
DEF IFS on the front, one of the last pictures you can see what looks like a lower A-arm bolt. Can't tell on the rear, resolution too low on pics when zoomed in.
 

JimmyDean

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You can clearly see a front upper A-arm in the 3rd picture.
yeah, 3rd to last one from the rear but underneath you can make out what really looks to be a lower a-arm bolt.
 

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You can see the panhard bar in the last pic. I am suspicious that the "spy" photographer works at Ford... These quite literally were just rolled out of NMPDC... Quite the coincidence.
 

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