I keep rehashing this thread because I really do hope FORD does their homework. I really don't care if the body style is a '66-'77 or '78-'79. As long as it's functional, utilitarian, simple, beefy, etc.
My wife had an '06 X...No problems up to 94K miles when we traded it in at 10 years of age. We strongly considered the 4-runner, given it's a frame on body construction, but even with 270HP it wasn't near the sport that the X was. The 4.0VQ had a decent low-end torque to it. All these new SUV's with smaller, car-like, high-revving engines do nothing for me. The non-turbo'd Explorer doesn't really start to pull until 4000 rpms.
I have two Hondas in my driveway now. Honda figured out two things, lower the belt line and leave a stick option for the Accord available on dealer lots. DI gave the 4cyl a much needed boost in mid-range torque. I would have had to special order a Fusion and no dealer wanted to dare order a manual Fusion for test drives...I walked away from Ford.
Going back to the Bronco topic of 2dr vs 4dr:
Besides, I believe Jeff from the Bronco Graveyard was in an article recently that said 70% of new Wrangler sales are 4dr...Ya I don't see Ford going against real world numbers there.
Jeep will be coming out with a 4-cylinder, v6, gas and diesel Jeep. FORD needs to pay attention. I know we don't want a 4-cylinder BRONCO, but if they want to stay competitive, especially with the release of the BRONCO, then they need to be competitive.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/29/autos/new-jeep-wrangler/index.html
Give people options. I know I want a V8 BRONCO, but maybe maybe my wife will want a 4-cylinder. Maybe I want a 4-door. Maybe a 2-door. Maybe a diesel. The list can go on an on.
Don't worry about competing with the Jeep by the time the Bronco rolls out Jeep will also have to have a watered down version of its pride and Joy. There are far too many regulations coming to take away the sport utility of our way of life. Everything is going cookie cutter with so much more driver controls. These controls are not going to allow modifications. Trucks / Jeeps prior to 2018 are going to be hot commodities in the near future. Its starting to show in the 2018 Tacoma's. Once you can't lift them and run larger tires the market is going to start to die down. The american driver is being molded little by little by more efficiency. By 2020 there are so many restrictions and mandated electronic safety packages, good luck getting anything everyone is dreaming about.
Compete with Jeep good luck with that they have to be here to compete with. What makes you think Fiat will even be around in 2020. Check see how good Fiat is doing.
I think we will be lucky to see anything from Ford that truly competes with the new Wrangler.
Article from USA Today
"The boxy Wrangler is a good seller for Fiat Chrysler. CEO Sergio Marchionne has said production changes in Toledo will allow it to build more than 400,000 Wranglers per year at full production. That’s a lot, but its importance for Jeep and Fiat Chrysler is as the image of an ultimate off-roading vehicle."
I wish Ford would have this mind set. The new Rubicon looks nice.
Article from USA Today
"The boxy Wrangler is a good seller for Fiat Chrysler. CEO Sergio Marchionne has said production changes in Toledo will allow it to build more than 400,000 Wranglers per year at full production. That’s a lot, but its importance for Jeep and Fiat Chrysler is as the image of an ultimate off-roading vehicle."
I wish Ford would have this mind set. The new Rubicon looks nice.