Ford explains why no manual with 2.7L Bronco

[Gamecock]

"Still, Jeep says that fewer than 5 percent of new Wranglers leave its Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant bound for U.S. showrooms with the manual transmission."

Really easy market research for them....although I think they will have a higher percentage of manuals, and would have had a lot higher rate if it was offered with the 2.7.

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[lobbs611]

The good news is that the reason given is NOT an engineering problem with pairing the 2.7 with the Manual but rather a marketing decision.

Importantly they do not rule out a 2.7 with manual in the future.

A money decision really rather than marketing or if they could engineer it. They could have the one-off pieces to make one fit machined by the end of the week if they really wanted to. But to invest in castings, development, durability testing, etc. would require real money against the very likely possibility it would not turn a profit.

 

[DrewBronc21]

If the manual is being offered to the “traditional” User who wants to do “technical” things off-road with a “creeper” gear then why not offer manual with the 2.7 only and not the 2.3?

 

[zaki]

"Still, Jeep says that fewer than 5 percent of new Wranglers leave its Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant bound for U.S. showrooms with the manual transmission."

Really easy market research for them....although I think they will have a higher percentage of manuals, and would have had a lot higher rate if it was offered with the 2.7.

If the 2.3/manual pairing sells well the 2.7/manual offering in the future has a better chance.

 

[Squatch]

Ha, exactly. "Why won't a manufacturer build me something they can't really sell and still keep the price at like 38k??"

You mean "under 30k" because it should also be free or Ford should pay us to drive exactly what we want...

 

[tshaw2009]

 

[Spooled]

The crappy thing is, is that If you want Ford to build the 2.7 with the manual you need to show them by buying the 2.3 with the manual. Many of us aren't willing to give up the V6 just get a manual. So, a 2.7/manual won't ever happen.

 

[Treeza61]

I feel like the marketing/sales decision made the engineering issue a non-factor. No point in engineering them to be compatible when you have no plans to combine them from the start. Plus it looks better to say "No one wants it" than "We could do it, but we won't".

I work in the auto industry and the demand for manual transmissions is very low.

 

[Gamecock]

The crappy thing is, is that If you want Ford to build the 2.7 with the manual you need to show them by buying the 2.3 with the manual. Many of us aren't willing to give up the V6 just get a manual. So, a 2.7/manual won't ever happen.

True. I want a manual...but the 2.7 is more important to me. I am sure there are others in that boat.

 

[BroncoTPA]

As of today (seems to change everyday) I am set on the 2.3L manual while making plans to purchase a 2023 model with the 2.7L manual.

Hopefully, I will be surprised by the 2.3L and have no need or desire to swap to the 2.7. I keep recalling how much fun I had in my 2003 350z when it first came out and it had 287 HP and 274 lb-ft. 270 and 310 should be plenty to bring a smile to my face in the 2.3L.

 

[RedRiverRev]

I think Ford is fully expecting there's going to be a substantial uptick in manual take rates because the 2021 Bronco is basically made-to-order only. The dealer orders will tell the real story...and thus the self-fulfilling prophecy will continue.

 

[beachman101]

for a company that sells the mustang i simply dont believe this

imagine not wanting a 4wd mustang off road car that could be tuned to 400hp with a stick

People should keep begging and i bet the next run of broncos will have manual

 

[Lakelife36]

TL;DR - It wasn't worth the cost to offer because "take-rates for models with manual transmissions is relatively low"

Yeah that's what happens when you consistently restrict it to the less desirable options.

 

[ATLUTDFAN]

As of today (seems to change everyday) I am set on the 2.3L manual while making plans to purchase a 2023 model with the 2.7L manual.

Hopefully, I will be surprised by the 2.3L and have no need or desire to swap to the 2.7. I keep recalling how much fun I had in my 2003 350z when it first came out and it had 287 HP and 274 lb-ft. 270 and 310 should be plenty to bring a smile to my face in the 2.3L.

I agree about the 350Z.

I bought and restored a 2003 350Z two years ago, it is currently my daily driver (not that I drive with Covid). Did you attend in ZFEST in Orlando back in the early days of the 350Z? Going to the ZDAYZ event in NC next week! I will be going to the Bronco East event the next week to finally see the new Bronco.

I am getting a FE with the 2.7L Auto. I will miss a manual; however I think the fact that ford provided a manual at all and fixed the Squash package is awesome for the community. Developing a manual for the 2.7L does not make financial sense for Ford at this time, hopefully down the road.

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