Ford is expanding the availability of its high-performance off-road Sasquatch package to 2021 Bronco two- and four-door models equipped with the seven-speed manual gearbox.
The automaker says it has listened to
reservation-holder feedback in making this decision. “The Bronco community
spoke and we heard them,” said Mark Grueber, Ford Bronco consumer marketing
manager.
The expanded availability of the Sasquatch
package makes the Ford Bronco the only 4×4 with 7-speed manual and 35-inch
off-road tires in its class. The package is offered as an option across every
2021 Bronco two- and four-door trim level, including Base, Big Bend, Black
Diamond, Outer Banks, and Badlands. It is standard on Bronco Wildtrak and First
Edition models.
Checking the Sasquatch box adds 35-inch
Goodyear mud-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, Dana
front and rear electronic locking axles with 4.7:1 final drive ratio, and
high-clearance suspension. The latter includes a nearly two-inch wider track,
position-sensitive Bilstein shocks, and wider fender flares.
When specified on the Badlands series, the
Sasquatch package complements the standard semi-active hydraulic front
stabilizer bar disconnect, resulting in what Ford calls the ultimate Bronco
rock crawler. Ford only offers the seven-speed manual gearbox as an option for
the base 270 HP 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The 310 HP 2.7-liter
EcoBoost V6 comes exclusively with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
The manual transmission with Sasquatch
package will become available in late 2021. That’s a long way to go but Ford
will sweeten the wait with the launch of the 2021 Bronco’s build and price site
in October. Ordering begins in December, with production and deliveries
expected to begin as early as March 2021 and June 2021, respectively.
