Ford Can't Quit Filing Trademarks for the 2020 Bronco - Here's the Full List and What they Might Be

Ford seems to be investing heavily in the upcoming Bronco. It looks like the Blue Oval is expecting the Bronco to be a runaway success, and to make sure that happens, the automaker is leaving no stone unturned. Ford has declared war on the Wrangler, plans to introduce a Raptor version, and now, has filed for multiple trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, that could hint at different trim levels, special editions, or even concepts. If everything goes according to plan, the new Ford Bronco could become the most badass SUV on the market.

What Are The Names And What Do They Mean?

Ford has announced that the Bronco will be returning to the roads in 2020 due to popular demand. There’s no doubt in that because back in the 1960s, the Bronco was the most rugged SUV one could have. This went on all the way till the ‘90s, post which Ford began to lose the plot. However, it is still remembered fondly and Ford decided to revive the Bronco, this time with a mix of modern technology and old-school feels, and some déjà vu-creating monikers.

Ford Bronco Outer Banks

Going behind the logic of this one, Ford might eventually role out a package for the 2021 Bronco called ‘Outer Banks’. It could be a package with a lift-kit, all-terrain tires, etc., so you can rip the Bronco on muddy surfaces. Perhaps, a Land Cruiser-esque SUV? Well, since the Bronco is hell-bent on taking on the Wrangler, I’d say it will be something similar to the Wrangler Sahara. The Outer Banks could feature a removable roof, a 4x4 system, and bumpers with tow-kits and winches, to name a few. Not to mention that Wranglers are known to handle well in sand and have a propensity to remain safe even in deep sands.

Ford Bronco Wildtrak

The Wildtrak is a familiar moniker. Ford sells the Ranger with the ‘Wildtrak’ nomenclature in a few countries. If the Bronco Wildtrak will take any cues from the Ranger Wildtrak, then expect it to be a trim in the lineup, and not a concept or package. The Bronco WIldtrak could come with the bells and whistles while looking a lot more rugged than the standard variants. It might not possess the ultimate off-road mechanicals, but could look like it. For instance, black cladding on the bumpers and side skirts, black grille with the FORD written horizontally instead of the Blue Oval logo, and so on. In short, it would be amongst the top trims, albeit with the looks of a rugged Bronco trim.

Ford Bronco Adrenaline

Do you remember the Adrenalin? More precisely, the Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin. Yeah, used to be without an ‘e’ back then. As the name suggests, it should most likely be a performance-oriented trim; or a package. Ford sure offers a lot of accessories, but not packages, per se. We could see that shift with the Bronco, though. The Bronco Adrenaline may look similar to the standard Bronco, except for the addition of badges and other fitments. Ford could bump up power figures in here and offer a different suspension system, or a different transmission box. Also, Ford had filed for this trademark back in 2018 and it looked like the 2018 Explorer would get the badge and the treatment.

Ford Bronco Badlands

Guess what? Ford is not the first automaker to file for ‘Badlands’. Back in 2015, GM filed for the same word, but never completed the registration! Just imagine if the Bronco Badlands becomes a successful product for the Blue Oval now. The Bronco Badlands may actually be exactly what the name says – an SUV to hover over the badlands. Ford recently announced a package for the Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 called the Tremor package that gives buyers an option to buy an off-road performance truck from the factory itself. Ford Authority also suggests that this moniker could be used on multiple models across Ford’s portfolio since Ford did not include the ‘Bronco’ nameplate for the Badlands. It’s rival in this case, Jeep, is known for rugged vehicles, and the Bronco Badlands could be the most rugged offering the company has to offer. Similar to the Trailhawk package, perhaps?

Ford Bronco Scout

Now, there’s slight confusion between this one and the next name. Either one of these will be the name of the two-door Bronco that’s being addressed as the Baby Bronco for now. Eventually, the name changed to Ford Adventurer, and that’s the last we heard about that. Ford has filed for trademarks for ‘Scout’, as well as ‘Bronco Scout’. However, I feel ‘Scout’ will be the new variant because Jeep Wrangler has ‘Sport’ trim in its lineup, and Ford will not be giving it's trim the same name. But, Ford uses ‘Sport’ on the Explorer and the Escape. This is ridiculously tough to guess!

Ford Bronco Sport

There’s nothing different about this from what I said earlier. Every time I fixate on one of these being a model name and the other being a variant name, I come across some fact that changes my mind. But, given that Ford already uses ‘Sport’ on other products, it could use the same on the Bronco as a variant. Scout, on the other hand, could be for the two-door Bronco. The term ‘Scout’ is generally associated with survival skills given to the younger kids. If you think about it, ‘Scout’ for the smaller SUV makes sense. Your thoughts?

Honorary Mentions

Maverick

Ford is trying to ring in a lot of nostalgia with the Bronco. There are rumors that the Blue Oval could also use the ‘Maverick’ moniker on the 2021 Bronco. In all likelihood, Ford will launch a limited-edition variant for a revived SUV. Jeep did it with the Gladiator, and it is kind of a trend these days. The Maverick moniker has been prevalent in the Ford family for very long. Originally, it was used for a compact car sold in the 70s. Later, Ford went on to slap the term on a rebadged Nissan Patrol in Australia in the 80s and 90s, on the rebadged Nissan Terrano sold in Europe in the 90s, and even on the European version of the Ford Escape sold in the early 2000s. I’d like a Military Green shade 2021 Bronco mimicking the Bronco from the ‘60s with a Maverick badge. Can you imagine how cool that would be?!

Rock Monster

There was news of Ford using ‘Rock Monster’ and ‘Tremor’ internally for the Bronco. But, going by the trademarks filed, ‘Tremor’ may not get the nod on the Bronco. As for the Rock Monster, it could be a concept model. Ford had introduced a Bronco-based concept model back in 2004. Although the SUV never made it to production, it caught the eyes of Brad Peyton and Dwayne Johnson. The concept was then used in the 2018 movie, ‘Rampage, which starred Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as the lead. So, if you connect the dots, the ‘Rock Monster’ – if it actually comes through – will most likely be a concept model.

What We Know About The Bronco Till Now

A few test mules of the 2021 Bronco have been spotted with heavy camouflage, but they look nothing like the official teaser image that Ford has officially revealed, in which it looks a lot boxier. This news was leaked earlier when an e-catalogue was spotted in an auto parts store in Canada. This is the same mill that's used in the Ranger as well, and if it were to be carried over as it is, it would produce 270 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and makes for a potent engine combination altogether. It could serve as the base engine in the Bronco.

Apart from this, the Bronco could also be plonked with the famous 2.7-liter, V-6 EcoBoost engine. Given Ford's propensity to have multiple engine options in its model lineup, there is no way that the V-6 does not feature in here. Also, the 2021 Bronco will take on the Jeep Wrangler when it is unveiled, and the Wrangler features a 3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar engine that makes 285 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque. So, it is almost certain that a V-6 engine will feature in the Bronco one way or the other.

Final Thoughts

Ford is also said to be working on a Bronco Raptor that could feature a V-8 engine. It could’ve been either the 5.0-liter, V-8, Coyote engine, or the V-8 from the Mustang. However, Ford announced a new 7.3-liter, V-8 engine that will be used in the F-Series trucks. There is a high possibility that this new mill would power the upcoming Bronco Raptor. The new Bronco is at least a couple of years away and there are so many speculations already. We can’t wait for the next scoop to be discovered. What are your thoughts on the trademarks Bronco filed with the USPTO? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.