Road Testing Timeline?

[BotBronc1977]

Do we have any idea about when they are going to let someone (other than Ford staff members) drive these things? It would be really helpful to have an unbiased review of each engine and transmission option. (Best case scenario we could test drive them.)

I know these engines and the 10-speed auto show up in other vehicles (from what I understand the 7-speed MT is new) and we can make some inferences about how they will perform in a Bronco based on test driving those vehicles, but it is not quite the same.

Even at this point, I am not sure if I can order without having more information/road reviews about the engine and transmission options. Just this week we are starting to see road tests and reviews of the Bronco Sport (because they are now being delivered). Are we going to have to wait that long as well? Even later if we are in the ManSquatch camp?

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[Elwood]

There were early videos / some ride alongs as early as the reveal, but full unbiased driving reviews would be nice... From the sound of things from the Q&A at the latest reveal event, the product isn't even really fully finalized yet (colors/trims may be changing, etc.), but not sure if that would/should have any impact.

Getting Doug Demuro an actual, functioning Bronco to do a test with instead of the pre-prod shell he already filmed would be great.

 

[RG7]

Sounds like it won’t be until delivery. They’re still finalizing development so I doubt they’d let a non-affiliated reviewer drive an unfinished one to give public impressions on.

On the other side I doubt they’d bother organizing something for reviewers to drive a production model when they’ll be going out to owners less than a month from then.

 

[L8apex]

MP1 (Mass production 1) is (was?) supposed to start end of March. For MP1 they'll build X number of vehicles. All MP1 vehicles are saleable so "should" be built with production level (PPAPed) parts and calibration. Most of these vehicles will go sit in a lot.

Production will pause and management will review the vehicles built.

MP2 (Mass production 2) will start after X number of vehicles are built and theirs management approval. All MP2 vehicles are saleable so "should" be built with production level parts and calibration. Big difference between MP1 and MP2 is MP2 the vehicles are being run down the line at a production intent rate / blend. So instead of getting ~Y broncos an hour like in MP1 they will be getting much more. Most of these vehicles will go sit in a lot.

This entire time Ford engineers / management / fleet will be driving the vehicles. Any updates to calibrations / part changes will be made. The changes mean the entire MP2 and MP1 fleet will undergo the updates / reworks / replacing with PPAPed parts.

Once all this is complete, and management is happy with the metrics for building the vehicles they will issue an OKTB (OK to buy) and vehicles will start to be shipped to dealers. My guess is you won't see drives / reviews until very near or after OKTB. Imagine a bad review because a calibration wasn't finalized or a non-production intent part failed ($$$$$ lost).

 

[da_jokker]

Seems that way. Media doesn't get to drive until they start showing up or close to it.

So for those with later deliveries... you will actually have a benefit of waiting.

 

[BotBronc1977]

MP1 (Mass production 1) is (was?) supposed to start end of March. For MP1 they'll build X number of vehicles. All MP1 vehicles are saleable so "should" be built with production level (PPAPed) parts and calibration. Most of these vehicles will go sit in a lot.

Production will pause and management will review the vehicles built.

MP2 (Mass production 2) will start after X number of vehicles are built and theirs management approval. All MP2 vehicles are saleable so "should" be built with production level parts and calibration. Big difference between MP1 and MP2 is MP2 the vehicles are being run down the line at a production intent rate / blend. So instead of getting ~Y broncos an hour like in MP1 they will be getting much more. Most of these vehicles will go sit in a lot.

This entire time Ford engineers / management / fleet will be driving the vehicles. Any updates to calibrations / part changes will be made. The changes mean the entire MP2 and MP1 fleet will undergo the updates / reworks / replacing with PPAPed parts.

Once all this is complete, and management is happy with the metrics for building the vehicles they will issue an OKTB (OK to buy) and vehicles will start to be shipped to dealers. My guess is you won't see drives / reviews until very near or after OKTB. Imagine a bad review because a calibration wasn't finalized or a non-production intent part failed ($$$$$ lost).

Thanks for this thoughtful response. Love this forum.

 

[AzScorpion]

Do we have any idea about when they are going to let someone (other than Ford staff members) drive these things? It would be really helpful to have an unbiased review of each engine and transmission option. (Best case scenario we could test drive them.)

I know these engines and the 10-speed auto show up in other vehicles (from what I understand the 7-speed MT is new) and we can make some inferences about how they will perform in a Bronco based on test driving those vehicles, but it is not quite the same.

Even at this point, I am not sure if I can order without having more information/road reviews about the engine and transmission options. Just this week we are starting to see road tests and reviews of the Bronco Sport (because they are now being delivered). Are we going to have to wait that long as well? Even later if we are in the ManSquatch camp?

It looks like we're going to be the test dummies come delivery time. I was in the same boat as you as I really wanted a loaded BL but I just can't drop $50K + on something I can't test drive or at least get a good review on here. I went Base SAS because it's a good value and gets me into a Bronco now which will be great for off roading and cruising around 9 months without the doors and top.

I've been burned a couple times with first run vehicles so I'm not going all in right now. I know there's a warrantee but it's still a hassle and inconvenience if there are recalls and/or problems.

 

[privateer35]

It looks like we're going to be the test dummies come delivery time. I was in the same boat as you as I really wanted a loaded BL but I just can't drop $50K + on something I can't test drive or at least get a good review on here. I went Base SAS because it's a good value and gets me into a Bronco now which will be great for off roading and cruising around 9 months without the doors and top.

I've been burned a couple times with first run vehicles so I'm not going all in right now. I know there's a warrantee but it's still a hassle and inconvenience if there are recalls and/or problems.

Why do you think you won't have ample time to test drive when it gets delivered to the dealer?

 

[AzScorpion]

Why do you think you won't have ample time to test drive when it gets delivered to the dealer?

I'm traveling to Granger Ford in IA. The dealers won't have any stock until the reservations are filled unless someone backs out and they get theirs. I doubt they're going to let everyone test drive it. I'm just being a little more cautious from being burned in the past.

There were several who had issues with their Rangers when they first came back to NA. Some issues were small but one of the main ones was a wiring harness problem which left several with dead trucks. Mine was a mid year 2019 and has been flawless so I'd prefer to just wait a few years before dropping that kind of money. Even then there's no guarantee.

 

[Paint]

If the Sport timeline is any sort of barometer, then it'll be a while.

Embargo on the actual driving reviews of production Bronco Sports was just lifted on Monday (two days ago). They've been showing up at dealers for sale to customers for what...A week-ish now?

 

[The Pope]

If the Sport timeline is any sort of barometer, then it'll be a while.

Embargo on the actual driving reviews of production Bronco Sports was just lifted on Monday (two days ago). They've been showing up at dealers for sale to customers for what...A week-ish now?

Only ones with the 1.5L, no 2.0L yet......

 

[Edelfin]

Media/critic drives and reviews normally will be under embargo until twoish weeks before first dealer delivery.

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