3-in-1 = Automotive Fun: Ford's Bronco, A Super Toyota, & A New CR-V Comes To Be

Everyone loves getting a new car. And lately, there’s been news of some old favorites potentially making a comeback and also some big redesigns in the works! So exactly what models could just be on the horizon? Today on Adam’s Autos, we take a quick look into the future and find out!

A Blast from the Past: Ford’s Bronco Returns!

Note: This is a concept art of the Bronco.

Many people have fond memories of towing or off-roading with their Ford Bronco, and hope to see the day again when the company not only offers capable family sedans and work trucks, but off-road ready vehicles from the factory as well. Fortunately for these individuals, those days might just be right around the corner again, as it has been recently confirmed that the Bronco nameplate is scheduled for revival sometime around the 2020 model year!

Originally introduced in the mid-1960s and discontinued in 1996, the Bronco has historically competed with various small/midsized Jeep models as well as some other midsize and large SUVs, such as Z71 2-door Chevrolet Tahoes in the 1990s. Present-day competition is stated to be the Jeep Wrangler, which makes perfect sense as 2-door Tahoes and most of the other competitors that the Bronco used to duke it out with are long gone now. Additionally, just like the old days, this new Bronco may be built in Wayne, Michigan according to UAW contracts. This is likely not happenstance or for nostalgia sake, but mostly due to production opening up on that assembly line. The upcoming all-new Ranger pickup truck will likely be built in the same facility as this new Bronco too.

I have to say, based on the renderings shown, its intriguing to think what might become of this new model in a few years. And if this new Bronco offers proper V8 power, I think that buyers are in for a treat and that what’s left of its competition is in for a big run for their money! Are you one of the ones pumped up? We’ll see what other details come out about this model in the coming months as development continues.

Toyota’s Supra: The Super Toyota           

The 1995 Toyota Supra. These cars are often tuned and customized nowadays.

I assume there are many people already familiar with the Toyota Supra and some of its legacy. In case I’m wrong, here’s an extremely brief rundown. The Supra was a sports car made by Toyota up until the 2002 model year. Production started in 1978, and throughout the car’s history, it’s been popular in various racing arenas due not only due to its durability, but to its functionality as well. In the 1990s, sales of coupes began to decline to current levels we see them at now, and thus began the end of the Supra. But not so fast! As recently, it’s been reported that the Supra may make a return in the future!

Toyota's recent FT-1 concept car could be giving us a subtle sneak peek at where the new Supra could draw some inspiration from.

So, BMW + Toyota = Sports Car?
Word is that this new Supra is reportedly going to be a joint effort between the BMW and Toyota, as BMW is looking to replace the slow-selling Z4 sports coupe. This new model so far is stated to be larger than the Z4, and may be called the “Z5” over at BMW. Surprise, surprise! But a reason that this car was made larger may also be because BMW intends to offer a smaller model than the Z5, and so that this new Supra can ride on a stretched platform. Both explanations make sense to me. Regardless of this new construction, the new car won’t be any heavier than its outgoing predecessor, and a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and performance hybrid powertrain are all supposed to be offered. That’s interesting to note, but is consistent with both the performance and sporty them of the Supra/Z5 and also industry trend towards more fuel efficient vehicles. In the case of the Supra, it will use all four-cylinder engines in its more basic models, but its high performance engine will be an all-new twin-turbo V6 supposedly making around 400 horsepower!

           

With numbers like that, I’m sure the new Supra won’t disappoint if Toyota actually does come through and make a new one. However, I personally haven’t been digging the styling of recent Toyota vehicles, regardless of how reliable they are. But I doubt the company will risk messing up a nameplate with such a storied performance history. How do you feel about it? I’m interested to see if we’ll get more details at the upcoming auto shows or not.

This was Paul Walker's 1993 Toyota Supra from the first Fast and Furious movie. Essentially the car that started it all, it was auctioned off in 2015 for $185,000 after his tragic death.

Did You See the New CR-V?            

The redesigned Honda CR-V was recently unveiled and seeks to bring more efficiency to the small SUV class while improving upon some of its own prior shortcomings. Can it do it?

Honda’s popular CR-V small SUV will be redesigned for 2017, and its bringing back a feature we all missed so dearly in older cars of yore: A volume knob. Yes, Honda heard everyone’s cries about their touch sensitive volume controls in their newer cars and responded by reverting back to a good old-fashioned knob so we properly could crank up the tunes. Perhaps it’s true that style just can’t beat functionality in the long-run.            

I actually like this new interior a lot. And the inclusion of a volume knob again on the main head unit for the radio has won tons of people over already. I can see a lot of inspiration from the new Civic sedan here for sure.

Among other changes: A lot of everything. Except for maybe the car’s basic silhouette. At least to my eye anyways. The rear of the car now incorporates a new chrome bar and LED stoplights on higher-end models (I assume) that look pretty nice, although the tailgate itself looks awkward I think the way it just “drops off” essentially. I’m also not too crazy about the wheels on most new Hondas as of late, which look a little out of place on some models. Compare that to the rims on some new Kias, which I’ve really been liking lately. Dimension wise, the wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer and rear-seat passengers have 2.1 more inches of legroom than in the outgoing 2016 CR-V. Cargo space also now equals that of the Ford Edge, which is a bigger SUV overall. The interior layout looks to be fresh and draws inspiration from the recently redesigned Civic sedan. Not a bad starting point in my book, as I like the new Civic a lot in many ways.

Family Ties           

Speaking of the new Civic, this new CR-V will borrow one of its powertrains from it compact cousin. All models above the base LX will use Honda’s new 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. In the 2017 CR-V, this engine will make 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The LX models will use a revised version of the 2.4-liter four that can be found in the outgoing CR-V. Trim levels for the new CR-V include LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. That all likely sounds very familiar to Honda owners. What may surprise a few owners is that Honda’s LaneWatch camera system is gone, and replaced by a blind spot information system. All trims will come standard with LED running lights, keyless entry, auto climate control, steering wheel audio controls, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) paired to the base 2.4-liter four cylinder. So no, it won’t be a rocket by any stretch. But it’ll likely save you a buck at the pump while being very reliable and practical in the process.

Eh. I'm not too crazy about the wheel or rear hatch design on this CR-V, but the overall vehicle looks to have stepped up its game nicely. I'll have to test one eventually for myself to really get a more personal feel for it!

Pricing is not available right now. But the 2017 Honda CR-V arrives at dealers in December of this year.

That's all folks! Until next time: ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.