The all-new Bronco might not be making its way to the Philippines, at least not officially through Ford Philippines. However, gray market importers are likely accepting orders already. As with most gray market units, don’t expect them to be cheap. For those that do want to own one, there is now another way to do so. It won’t break the bank either.
Tamiya has released its upcoming lineup of new products for 2022, and one of them includes the all-new Bronco scale model. Unlike other Tamiyas, this one is a 1/10 scale R/C model. It rides on the brand’s CC-02 ladder frame chassis inspired by the full-size off-roaders. This means it has all the goodies that allow it to take on very rugged terrain.
Like the SUV, the Tamiya Bronco comes with 4WD. There’s no V6 engine here, though. Instead, the RC uses an electric motor that sits longitudinally behind the front axle. The motor is paired with a gearbox which sends power to the transfer case, propeller shaft, and the front and rear differentials. The chassis also uses four-link suspension with dampers for optimum off-road performance.
As for the kit itself, Tamiya did a great job recreating the Bronco's design. It’s based on the two-door model and is outfitted with off-road bits, including a front metal bumper, a roof rack, wider fender flares, and a Bronco-branded spare tire cover. Black 12-spoke wheels wrapped in rubber tires ensure the crawler will have grip in nearly all kinds of terrain.
We won’t be surprised if this new Tamiya Bronco is also made at the company’s factory in the Philippines. After all, nearly all Tamiya scale models are made locally. If you want to know more about the Tamiya Philippines factory, check out our feature