When the new Ford Bronco was revealed in July 2020, the Blue Oval brand’s local arm told us there were no plans to build the off-roader in right-hand-drive form. But the vehicle’s chief designer refuses to rule it out.

Paul Wraith, Ford’s chief designer on the Bronco project, suggested to Ford Authority a right-hand-drive version was not off the table.

“We’ve optimised for left-hand drive,” Wraith told the publication.

“But we did look at right-hand drive, and Bronco is intensely famous here in the US but it’s pretty famous – or at least it was famous – elsewhere in the world. We’re always open to do all sorts of things in the future, but right now, we’re left-hand-drive focused,” he said.

Still, Wraith pointed out since the Bronco is quite closely related to the Ranger bakkie, the platform is set up for right-hand drive, too.

“Underneath the Bronco is its closest cousin, if you will, the Ranger … so the platform is capable of right-hand drive,” he said.

Production of left-hand-drive units is scheduled to kick off in “early 2021” in Michigan, with buyers in North America having access to a range “more than 200” factory-backed accessories.

In North America, power will come from the Dearborn-based firm’s turbocharged 2,7-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine, which is “projected to produce” 231 kW and 542 N.m in Bronco form. There’s also a version of Ford’s turbocharged 2,3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine, which is excepted to generate 201 kW and 420 N.m. Interestingly, Ford will offer the choice of a seven-speed manual gearbox and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Original article from Car