2021 Ford Bronco to Get 2.3-Liter EcoBoost Engine, according to an Online Parts Configurator (2024)

• It appears that the 2021 Ford Bronco will be powered by the turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four currently in use in the Ford Ranger.
• The listing was discovered in a parts-lookup configurator at Canadian Tire and was first reported by Off-Road.com.
• A search for the information on U.S.-based parts retailers came up empty.

Aside from a few nonspecific leaks and a handful of camouflaged spy photos, Ford has done a commendable job of keeping a lid on the precise details pertaining to the new Ford Bronco. The latest tidbit to emerge comes by way of the Off-Road.com, which discovered a listing for the 2021 Bronco on the online parts-lookup tool of retailer Canadian Tire.

Discovered by first selecting the 2021 model year and then specifying "Ford Trucks," the configurator defaults to the only available model, listed as the 2021 Ford Bronco. Taken at face value, this confirms that at least one of the Bronco's available engines will be a DOHC 2.3-liter inline-four. Specifically, the lookup info for spark plugs, for instance, states "2021 FORD TRUCK BRONCO, 4-140 2.3L DOHC."

We probably don’t need to point out that the engine in the current Ford Ranger is also a 2.3-liter inline-four. A turbocharged (EcoBoost) unit, it is rated for 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a version of Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission. Tangential as it may be, we know the Bronco is going to share much of the Ranger's DNA and that they will be assembled in the same facility, so it's hardly a stretch to figure the powertrains will be similar. We have previously speculated that the Ranger (and, by extension, the Bronco) will get a V-6 as well. We do know that the new Bronco will have a removable roof and doors, and will likely be available in two- and four-door versions. Ford has also indicated there will be a hybrid version of the Bronco.

Curious to see if the same Bronco parts info had migrated to the parts-lookup search engines of stateside retailers, we performed a similar search on all of the usual suspects, including Ford's official factory parts site, with nary a hit. Most don't even have the model year 2021 in their dropdown menus yet.

Judging by the sheer amount of excitement generated by each emerging Bronco tidbit, we figured it prudent to share this latest morsel of news to ease the tension while fans await the 2021 Bronco's 2020 arrival. Hey, at least it indicates the Bronco's development is moving forward.