It’s been quite some time since we got any big update about the Ford Bronco. A set of pictures were leaked last month that showed the 2021 Bronco as well as the Bronco Sport in all their glory.
Now, Ford Authority reports that the automaker has filed a trademark application for “G.O.A.T Modes” in the States. This mode is said to be comprised of automatic controls for a couple of things. Following this, another patent application has come to light that mentions active suspension components that would make the Bronco do a lot of tricks. Is this a party car or what?
What is Ford's G.O.A.T Driving Mode?
First up, the trademark application for the G.O.A.T. Modes is for the "drive systems comprised of automatic controls for vehicle chassis and powertrain controllers, integrated as an integral part of a passenger vehicle."
The acronym generally stands for “Greatest Of All Time” and it will be befitting for a moniker like the Bronco. But, it will surely be something more than just a narcissistic nomenclature. Something to do with its off-roading prowess, perhaps? Maybe even four drive modes in the drive selector that start with G, O, A, and T. Or even better, it could be linked to the other patent application regarding the active suspension that Ford has filed. We’ll have to wait for more information on this, but this is very exciting, to say the least.
How Does Ford's New Electric Suspension System Work?
Coming to the patent application related to the suspension, it doesn’t specifically mention the Bronco anywhere. It could be used in multiple Ford products, but it will be present in the Bronco as well in all likelihood. The detailed application was posted on Bronco6G and there are several riveting things mentioned in there.
The references in the applications mostly talk about raising or lowering the ride height, off-road conditions and uses for active controls to engage or disengage the four-wheel-drive system, and disconnect anti-roll bars for greater suspension articulation.
The Bronco is expected to come with an electronically adjustable suspension system and the company wants to make complete use of it. According to the patent, this suspension can be linked to weather, terrain, and the kind of music playing in the SUV to determine the ride height and suspension behavior.
The Entertainment mode essentially monitors the driver's ‘non-traditional’ and determines whether to activate the Music Mode or Daredevil Mode. Music mode will optimize the ride height based on the output from your speakers. This is a great party trick to have, especially when camping.
The other engaging mode is the Daredevil Mode that is described as "the vehicle's suspension height may be mapped to the target suspension height such that the vehicle can be driven on, for example, two and/or three wheels without overturning."
Is this to attain stable balance during greater articulations, or a near-impossible situation where the off-roader can move forward on just two wheels while the other two are in the air? Apart from these three, there are 21 other suspension modes that Ford has listed in the patent, such as Mobility, Towing, Cradle, Freight, Novice Driver, and Haptic, to name a few. It’s absolutely crazy!
Here's What We Know About The Bronco So Far
-* The Bronco Sport looks like an urban compact SUV with a tame design language that has a bias towards off-roading.
-* The full-sized Bronco looks rugged and will come with removable doors and roof.
-* The Bronco is expected to come with the 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 EcoBoost mill under the hood.
-* It will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
-* In the F-150, the engine makes 325 horses and 400 pound-feet of torque.
-* A seven-speed manual transmission by Getrag is also in the reckoning.
-* Since it is based on the Ford Ranger, a 2.3-liter, EcoBoost mill which makes 270 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque could find its way in here as well.
-* This mill would compete against the Jeep Wrangler’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that develops 270 horses and 295 pound-feet.
Final Thoughts
Ford is giving it all to make sure the Bronco is a runaway success. The company has dared to play around with the suspension system and this will either be a hit or a miss. With 24 settings on offer, according to the application, the Bronco will be one heck of an off-roader. The Music Mode will be a fun party trick when you’re partying outdoors. The automaker should also give an option to sync the lights to this. It’ll be quite similar to the Tesla Model X’s Easter Egg wherein the SUV puts on a light and a dance show.
All said and done, the wait for the Bronco just got all the more exciting. Now, it’ll be a bummer if these suspension modes don’t get featured on the Bronco. What are your thoughts on the G.O.A.T Modes and the playful suspension? Share them with us in the comments section below.