A fresh report out of the United States suggests Ford’s upcoming baby bakkie will be offered with the same powertrains as the Bronco Sport.

According to MotorTrend, the Blue Oval brand’s new unibody bakkie will also feature styling inspired by both the larger Ranger and the new Bronco Sport, including an “upright, blocky front end”.

The report furthermore suggests the engine line-up will mirror that of the Bronco Sport, which the publication claims will include a turbocharged 1,5-litre three-cylinder unit and a turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder mill (both petrol flavoured). As MotorTrend points out, these engines are also used by the latest, third-generation Escape (which we know in South Africa as the Kuga).

The report says although the new bakkie’s nameplate has yet to be confirmed, possible options include Courier (which the brand has again trademarked), Ranchero and “something connecting it to the Bronco family”. Then, of course, there’s the possibility it could revive the Bantam nameplate if it makes its way to South Africa.

Whatever it ends up being called, the new bakkie is expected to be built at the brand’s Cuautitlan plant in Mexico. Whether this new pickup will also be built for right-hand-drive markets, of course, remains to be seen.

As a reminder, the Bantam was launched in South Africa back in 1983 and went out of production at the end of 2011. It was also offered as a Mazda wearing the Rustler badge. With the likes of the Fiat Strada and Chevrolet Utility also having left local shores (and Volkswagen’s Saveiro seemingly not on the horizon), the only player currently offered in South Africa's half-tonne bakkie segment is the Nissan NP200.

 

 

Original article from Car