Discover the Ford Mini Bronco: The Compact SUV You Never Knew You Needed

The two-door four-seater off-roader presents an exciting (yet spacious) format for the Bronco. Designed by Naoto Kobayashi, the Ford Mini Bronco also comes with a grid of square-shaped headlights on the front and taillights at the back that dynamically light up to create new patterns (sort of like the taillights on the Hyundai IONIQ 5). The Mini Bronco is perfect for a group of two (or maybe three) people looking to hit the dirt road and live off the grid for a while. It’s a compact EV that captures the thrill of an SUV without the fuel-guzzling large in-your-face persona of Ford’s other heavy-duty cars. The Ford Mini Bronco, unfortunately, doesn’t exist… but it absolutely needs to.

Designer: Naoto Kobayashi

Designed by Mexico-based Kobayashi, the Ford Mini Bronco offers a glimpse into the year 2030, a time period this car is envisioned for. Diverging from its larger counterpart, its design blends modern elements with a sense of purpose and seeks to redefine the compact off-road segment, offering a unique take on what’s possible. The Ford Mini Bronco’s charm lies in its compact, two-door configuration, rather reminiscent of the Suzuki Jimny. With a short wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs, it promises enhanced off-road capabilities for navigating various terrains. Kobayashi also imagined the Mini Bronco fitted with mud-terrain tires and retro-modern wheels, combining style with practicality.

The visual story continues with the front and rear facades. An illuminated Ford emblem and LED lights in place of traditional headlights offer a distinctive look. LED daytime running lights and a sturdy skid plate enhance its utilitarian appeal. The rear follows suit with LED lights and a functional skid plate.

Inside, the cabin reflects a forward-looking approach. A single display houses the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. The steering wheel features a flat top and bottom, along with tactile buttons, switches, and dials, maintaining a balance between modernity and familiarity. Clearly made for excursions and outdoor trips, the seats also come wit the ability to recline 180° into beds, offering a place for all four passengers to comfortably sleep. The two front seats join together, with the intermediary compartment sliding away. Moreover, the roof of the Mini Bronco still possesses the ability to hold a camper, should you want to opt for a more traditional camping experience.

Although clearly conceptual, the Ford Mini Bronco really emphasizes the need for a compact version of a ‘big car’. Time will tell if this concept or even its format becomes a reality, potentially marking a new chapter in compact off-road exploration.

The post Discover the Ford Mini Bronco: The Compact SUV You Never Knew You Needed first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ford Bronco’s minimal redesign is perfect for people who are dealing with Cybertruck FOMO

Hey. Listen. Look at me. The Cybertruck’s just not into you, man. If it wanted you as bad as you wanted it, it would be here already. So how about you just accept that it isn’t meant to be and move on? How about a little rebound on something like this Ford Bronco concept from the mind of Shanghai-based designer Haoyue Jia.

Jia’s Ford Bronco redesign offers a minimal hybrid between the Bronco’s existing language and the Cybertruck’s nude metallic otherworldly style. I call it a best of both worlds because it’s clearly pickup truck-like (it doesn’t look like a polygon on wheels) and has a level of softness that seems personable yet muscular. Perfectly proportioned curves make it look reliable and robust without looking stocky or rotund. Besides… it takes a great level of detailing to make a car that looks good even without a coat of paint… and the concept pickup does all this while still not looking overtly traditional, like your run-of-the-mill Ford, Chevy, or GMC.

The redesigned Ford Bronco targets the wanderer, instead of your average pickup truck user. It seats two in the front, with a truck-bed at the back that’s spacious enough for whatever cargo you need to lug, although the Bronco clearly isn’t styled to carry timber from your nearby Home Depot. The slick design caters to the intersectional audience who finds the idea of a pickup truck appealing and likes owning an automobile as powerful as a truck is… so pretty much all of the Cybertruck’s core audience. Given the way it’s designed, the Bronco concept is clearly powered by an electric drivetrain too, putting it square in electric pickup territory… although perhaps my favorite little feature remains the car’s roof, which pops open to reveal a tiny two-person tent for those weekend getaways! Away from the world, the internet, and the news of Tesla moving the Cybertruck production to 2023. *sadface*

Designer: Haoyue Jia

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