Location for New Ford Bronco’s Side Mirrors: Yay or Nay?

When the market keeps getting more and more competitive among rival brands, the most unconventional upgrades could spell a huge difference. Such is the case for Ford and its highly anticipated Bronco.

Following speculations that the new Bronco will be fitted with removable doors, the same patent application–Patent US010166913–is in the thick of things once more over reports suggesting a peculiar positioning of its side mirrors.

Based on the patent application filed by the automaker, the side mirrors appear to be mounted to the A-pillars instead of the doors.

Furthermore, the patent also shows a light assembly installed inside the mirror for illumination. The assembly appears to include an exterior puddle lamp, turn signals, and an interior lighting for when the doors are removed. This setup supports the concept of the Bronco having a door-replacing impact beam.

While innovative, there are reviews suggesting the overall aesthetics of this kind of setup can be questionable. Aside from giving the new Bronco an odd appearance, mounting the mirrors to the A-pillar could also obstruct the driver’s forward visibility, not to mention produce heightened wind noise.

Other than peculiarly-located side mirrors, Ford is also making people wonder about its other patent application, Patent US20190270414, which suggests a removable roof rack and crossbar system.

While roof racks are not new in the automotive world, what’s creating fuss among enthusiasts are the adjustable rails which are also believed to work in compatibility with the upcoming Bronco’s retractable cloth-roof option.

Of course, these patents may not actually translate to actual assemblies for the new Bronco. Only Ford knows which concepts will make it into the model’s final production. But while the company has not released new information on the model, all theories are welcome.