Ford didn’t put all of its cards on the table when it introduced the 2021 Bronco. It still has several surprises in store, and mysterious spy footage shot by eagle-eyed fans suggests that one of them has something to do with the roof. But what exactly is it: a new roof style or perhaps an extension such as a tent?
Enthusiasts Forum Bronco6G received footage of a test mule parked not far from the Hilton Garden Inn in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. It’s a four-door model that looks like a regular Bronco, from the rocker panels to the beltline. Above that, the top is completely hidden by black camouflage that ends in an enigmatic, almost Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible-esque bulge. Ford is apparently still testing the truck as the same mule (or a very similar one) has been spotted several times in the United States in recent weeks.
What is the camouflage hiding? It’s not a spoiler, although Ford isn’t against the idea of making a faster Bronco. Depending on who you ask, the prototype is equipped with an electrically retractable soft top or a pop-up roof tent. Both possibilities are credible. Jeep offers the Wrangler – the Bronco’s most direct rival – with a Sky One-Touch Power Top that retracts at the touch of a button. It’s essentially an oversized fabric sunroof.
Wrangler buyers cannot order a pop-up tent from the factory, but dozens of aftermarket companies sell one. Ford has repeatedly stressed that it plans to make hundreds of off-road accessories available for the new Bronco, and a tent could be one of them. Ford even offers aftermarket roof tents for various models in the official accessories catalog. It would probably be a matter of developing a roof and roof rack system that could support the system and the weight of the people in it. Ford also previously worked with Yakima on a variety of racks and accessories.
Ford hasn’t commented on the images, but we’ll likely find out what the camouflage is hiding in the coming months. What is certain is that the company is not ready to surprise off-roaders with Bronco-related news.
Related video: