Remember the Bronco rendering that took the Internet by storm nearly a year ago? Well, the same folks behind it have now rendered a four-door version of Ford’s upcoming SUV. Bronco6g.com is a forum site dedicated to unearthing rumors and compiling speculation on the heavily anticipated, sixth-generation Ford Bronco. While nothing official has surfaced regarding the Bronco’s design, Bronco6g’s artwork has become the unofficial face of what’s expected in 2020.

What’s more, the new renderings show the Bronco’s backside and possible rear tire carrier. Insider information also suggests the Bronco will have removable roof panels. Called the “Air Roof,” the system is similar to the Jeep Renegade’s MySky roof, which allows for open-air driving and in-vehicle storage of the panels. But wait, Ford never built a four-door Bronco. Why start now?}} That’s a truthful statement and a good question. However, looking at history, it’s clear that four-door SUVs out-sell their two-door counterparts. The Jeep Wrangler JK is the foremost example. Jeep Wranglers and CJs all came with only two doors until 2007 when Jeep launched the Wrangler JK Unlimited. Since then Wrangler sales have skyrocketed, with the four-door Unlimited version accounting for roughly 80 percent of total sales. As for the Bronco, Ford has said it will ride on the Ranger T6 platform, which is also coming to America by the end of the decade. The Ranger is obviously offered with four doors, so why not capitalize on the platform and build an SUV with more interior space and the propensity to lead sales?

Continue reading for more on the 2020 Bronco rendering.

A Four-Door Bronco isn’t Sacrilege – it’s Smart

Talk to any Jeep loyalist in 2007 and you would’ve heard deep grumblings of disgust over the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. “It’s not a real Jeep!” they might say. Ask that same person today, and they probably own a Wrangler Unlimited. Why? Because they are far more practical than their two-door counterparts. They can double as both a weekend toy and daily driver.

Ford would be smart to employ the same thinking with the 2020 Bronco.

Sure, the Bronco was never offered as a four-door. Heck, Ford didn’t even offer a full-size, four-door SUV until the Expedition came along in 1997 – a full year after the fifth-generation Bronco ended production. The Expedition was completely unrelated in design and underpinnings from the Bronco, as well. But as I’ve already pointed out, the benefits far outweigh the departure from tradition. Plus, Ford would be dumb not to offer a two-door Bronco alongside the four-door.

But don’t think the Bronco will replace the current Expedition, or even Explorer, for that matter. The Bronco will be a mid-size, body-on-frame SUV. That makes it smaller and less roomy than the family-friendly Expedition and more rugged (read: not a crossover) like the Explorer. That gives the Bronco its own niche market, one shared only with the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner.

Ford will also compete with Jeep’s Mopar division and aftermarket companies by offering OEM, dealer-add-on parts and accessories through Ford Performance Parts. These upgrades could include lift kits, wheels, rock rails, roof racks, off-road bumpers, and other popular gear. If played like Mopar, Bronco buyers will be able to finance these upgrades within their vehicle purchase and have warranty coverage protect against misfortune. For Ford, that means profits from part sales and higher Bronco transaction prices, which ultimately generates more money from financing.

Note: Ford Ranger TopSpeeds rendering.

Ford is expected to launch the Ranger pickup for the 2019 model year, while the Bronco will wait till 2020. Both the mid-size pickup and SUV will be built in the U.S.

What do you think of Bronco6g.com’s renderings? Do you think Ford will go for that classic first-generation Bronco look, or will it fall closer to the modern looks of the 2019 Ranger? Let us know in the comments below.

References

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Ford Bronco.

Learn more about the two-door version rendering.