The Jeep Renegade is about to face some serious
competition from Ford, which is prepping a rugged-looking small SUV. Previously
referred to as the ‘baby Bronco’, it apparently has an official name. According to FordAuthority, who
claims to have received the information from insiders with knowledge on the
matter, the vehicle will be named the Bronco Adventurer. Should the information
pan out, then it will help it identify with the larger Bronco, which will
utilize a body-on-frame construction, unlike the Bronco Adventurer’s unibody
build.
However, the report claims that the automaker based
in Dearborn has yet to file a trademark for the Bronco Adventurer, thus the
moniker is apparently still available. They did secure the Bronco Scout
nameplate, though, earlier this year, fueling more rumors about the official
name of the upcoming small SUV. However, it seems that it might be used on a
different version of the full-blown off-roader.
Based on spy shots, the Bronco Adventurer, if that is
indeed its name, will come with a boxy styling, although with more raked and
slimmer A pillars than the Renegade. It will also have short front and rear
overhangs, for aggressive approach and departure angles, and a front end that
will probably be on the stylish side.
Given the common platform with the 2020 Escape and
Lincoln Corsair, base models will likely have to make do with front-wheel
drive, but the all-wheel drive system is expected to be offered in higher
grades. Power should come from several three- and four-cylinder gasoline
engines, with hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid powertrains probably joining the
lineup later on.
