The Ford Bronco is currently available with either a folding twill weave convertible roof or a hard top with removable panels that need to be stored somewhere, but it may soon come with a new way to let the sun shine in. Two ways, in fact.
Ford has filed for a patent on a Vehicle Roof With Manually Configurable Sliding Panels that looks like a no-brainer to add to the options list. Think Jeep Sky One-Touch Power Top, but without the power or the fabric top.
The design combines a rigid greenhouse with a fully open roof section that is enclosed with two large glass panels attached to a track system. The panels are secured with rotating latches that look similar to the ones used on the current Bronco hard top and are simply slid open by hand.
The front panel stacks on top of the rear panel, then pulls it along with it into a storage position above the cargo area to expose the entire passenger compartment. However, they remain low-profile enough to allow for a roof rack to fit on top of them that can be used for surfboards, bikes, cases, etc.
The Bronco has been nipping at the Jeep Wrangler’s heels on the sales charts and a feature like this could surely sway some new customers looking for the security and refinement of hard top, but also want the open-air driving experience.
Then again, Ford’s engineers and designers may just be daydreaming. In any event, there is no guarantee it will ever see the light of day — so to speak — or it might not be for the “Bronco” at all.
Lincoln is reportedly working on a Bronco-based luxury SUV and a feature like this would help set it apart from the Ford. The automaker hasn’t confirmed it yet, but with premium rugged SUVs like the Lexus GX, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class in high demand, it could be a very popular addition to the lineup.
Ford actually has something like that in the works that is debuting on June 3. The Bronco Filson is an upscale model that will feature styling and materials inspired by the outdoor clothing and gear brand.
Ford has only released a single image of it so far that shows it from the rear, but one thing that’s for certain is that it has a hard top roof. Unfortunately, you can’t see what’s on top of it.
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