Ford Bronco Concept: The Retro SUV That Shaped a New Off-Road Era

Trailblazing Legacy - The SUV world has always had a soft spot for nostalgia. In recent years, automakers have increasingly drawn inspiration from the past to bring fresh yet familiar designs to life. From boxy silhouettes to rugged accents, it's clear that vintage charm never really goes out of style. Among the pioneers of this retro-inspired trend was a bold concept that turned heads two decades ago—the 2004 Ford Bronco Concept. Long before the rebirth of the Bronco or the release of similarly styled rivals like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford planted the seeds for the future of off-road aesthetics.

The Ford Bronco seen in Dwayne Johnson’s 2017 movie Rampage is the 2004 concept model, not a preview of the later production version. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the Ford Bronco Concept wasn’t just a design experiment—it was a statement. Built on the more compact Escape platform, this two-door SUV immediately stood out with its aggressive posture, massive wheel arches, and strikingly squared body. It wore a no-nonsense attitude that spoke to outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone with a love for dirt roads and open skies.

The Ford Bronco Concept making its bold debut at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. (Picture from: Liputan6)

The design details were thoughtfully crafted for serious off-roading. Circular headlights, bold exposed door hinges, and a winch tucked beneath the front grille paid homage to classic trail-ready vehicles. The short wheelbase added to its capability, enhancing maneuverability across rough terrain. And while the SUV market at the time leaned toward comfort and size, the Bronco Concept stood out for keeping things compact, tough, and true to its roots.

The Ford Bronco Concept showcased thoughtful off-road-focused design details, including circular headlights, exposed door hinges, a front-mounted winch, and a short wheelbase that enhanced its maneuverability on rugged terrain. (Picture from: SlashGear)

Ford fitted the Bronco Concept with a 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engine, delivering 128 horsepower and 244 lb-ft of torque. While not particularly powerful, this compact engine was paired with an advanced “Intelligent” all-wheel-drive system. Using wheel-mounted sensors to monitor terrain, the system automatically adjusted torque distribution to maintain optimal traction—an impressive innovation for the early 2000s.

The Ford Bronco Concept featured a minimalist cabin design, yet used premium materials that balanced durability with a touch of refinement. (Picture from: Conceptcarz)

Adding a touch of thrill, Ford also equipped the Bronco concept with a nitrous oxide boost button. When pressed, it injected nitrous into the engine, providing an extra 50 horsepower in short bursts. It was an unexpected feature for an SUV and a playful nod to the era’s obsession with performance upgrades, popularized by the Fast & Furious craze.

The Ford Bronco Concept featured a 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engine with 128 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque, paired with an advanced all-wheel-drive system that used sensors to optimize traction—an impressive innovation for its time. (Picture from: Conceptcarz

Inside, the cabin followed a more minimal path but didn't skimp on quality. Though plainly styled, the materials used were premium, hinting that this SUV could be both durable and refined. Perhaps most exciting was its removable roof, a feature that remains central to today’s production Bronco. | pcArf3gTakA |

It wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a throwback to the spirit of freedom and exploration, now rekindled in the competition with its longtime rival, the Jeep Wrangler. In fact, the concept’s design cues helped spark the very rivalry we see playing out between the two icons today.  

A rendering image imagining what the Ford Bronco might have looked like if it were brought to life in 2020. (Picture from: Autoblog)

The Bronco name carries a deep legacy, dating back to 1966 when Ford introduced it as a compact SUV, aimed squarely at the Wrangler. For over a decade, it kept that two-door format until it transitioned in 1978 to share its platform with the F-150, growing in size and presence. The third generation arrived in 1980, with several updates following until production halted in 1996. Then came the silence—until that one concept in 2004 reminded everyone just how much the Bronco spirit still mattered.

The 2021 Ford Bronco is positioned alongside its predecessor. (Picture from: OtomotifTempo)

Although the 2004 Ford Bronco Concept never reached production, its influence was unmistakable when Ford reintroduced the Bronco in 2020. Many retro-inspired features—like the short wheelbase and boxy profile—were revived and reimagined in the modern version. The concept drew attention, sparked enthusiasm, and, most importantly, kept the Bronco legacy alive. In hindsight, it wasn’t just a concept—it was a forward-looking vision that helped shape what was to come. *** [EKA [09102016] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRONCO6G | AUTOBLOG | CONCEPTCARZ | CARSCOOPS | SLASHGEAR | STORY-CARS | CARANDDRIVER ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Fossil of the biggest dinosaurs footprints was found in Gobi desert

Recently, the scientists have discovered one of the biggest dinosaur footprints in Gobi Desert, Mongolia, which has an estimated age of 70 million years. According to scientists from Okayama University of Science, the large footprint that has a length of 106 cm and a width of 77 cm offers new clues about the giant creature that roamed in the Earth millions of years ago.

Professor Shinobu Ishigaki lying next to a dinosaur footprint in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)

As quoted of The Telegraph on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, those fossil of large footprints excavated in August through a joint expedition between Mongolia and Japan in a mantle layer formed between 70 to 90 million years ago in the late Cretaceous Period. The fossil was formed naturally, in which the sand flows into the muddy soil basin due to the gigantic creatures stomping.

"This is a very rare discovery, as well as these footprints fossils preserved well, has a length of one meter with traces of claws," said the statement issued by Okayama University of Science.

A drawing illustrating the dinosaur that may have left a footprint in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)

According Shinobu Ishigaki, a professor of Okayama University of Science and Japanese research team leader, these footprints believed to belong to titanosaurs, a group of sauropods, long-necked herbivores that lived during the late Cretaceous Period. Those giant creature could have more than 20 meters high and 30 meters long. "A dinosaur fossil is expected later will be found," said Professor Ishigaki.

"The footprints are proof that dinosaurs lived. There is a lot of information that can be obtained from the footprints, including the shape of the dinosaur foot and the way they walked," said Masateru Shibata, a researcher of Dinosaur Research Institute at Fukui Prefectural University.

Titanosaurs the most gigantic and diverse herbivorous in the southern continents during the final 30 million years of the Mesozoic Era. According to the scientists, titanosaurs species has many varieties, from which weighs like a cow until the sperm whale. Some of them are also considered as the largest land animals ever discovered.

One of the paleontologists lies next to the femur of sauropod discovered in Argentina in 2014. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eYlKs)

For example, the remains of a giant Titanosaurus found in southern Patagonia, Argentina in 2014. And according to the paleontologists, these species named Dreadnoughtus schrani was the largest dinosaur that ever lived on the Earth. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE TELEGRAPH]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The new Ducati urban-specialized superbike

Ducati has introduced a new variant SuperSport at Intermot 2016 which plunge into the segment of street sportbikes. This model will coexist with the Panigale which is more focused on the use on the race track.

The SuperSport is powered by a 11 degree Testastretta engine with a capacity of 937 cc capable of spewing power 111 horsepower @ 9,000 rpm and torque of 96.6 Nm @ 6,500 rpm and combined with 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch to make the motorcycle run fast. Ducati also claimed that 80 percent of maximum torque can be achieved at 3,000 rpm.

2017 Ducati SuperSport S. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eaz0a)

This bike is equipped with the ECU that divides its performance on three riding modes, namely Sport, Touring, and Urban. The exhaust gas flow with the 2-1-2 distribution system to the double silencer located under the right side footrest.

The crankcase and cylinder heads have also been modified, so the Testastretta engine types can be mounted on the new trelis chassis. The cooling system and alternator cover is also changed to provide space to the gear position sensor.

Left side view of 2017 Ducati SuperSport. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eaxvu)

Ducati states that the new chassis is very rigid but light, to keep the total weight of only 210 kg. By the combination of 24-degree rake, 3.68 inch trail, and 58.2-inch wheelbase, SuperSport claimed to be very easy to drive, both in urban areas and the winding roads in the mountains.

Rear side view of 2017 Ducati SuperSport S. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eaz0a)

As the standard feature, there is the DRL crossed on the headlights glass. It has also been applying the full LCD instrument. Interestingly, there is a USB port for which is placed under the seat, and claimed to be waterproof.

The SuperSport will be available in two models. First, the standard type, priced at US. $12,995 (Rp.168 million) and S-type pegged at US. $14 795 (equivalent Rp.192 million). For the S-type has received additional better suspension packages and a quick shifter. Beside that Ducati will offer this bike in the choice of Sport or Touring packages.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins.... ••• [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCYCLE | CYCLEWORLD]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

These silent hearse can run without driver

In general, the hearse use the base of van or MPV because its dimensions are quite large. Another case in The Hague, Netherlands, a funeral agency Van der Lans and Busscher innovating with the electric-powered hearse. To realize it, then director of the agency Jan Busscher chose the Tesla Model S as its base.

Tesla Model S Hearse by RemetzCar. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eaul6)

Besides environmental friendly, the Tesla Model S also has applied the autonomous technology. So do not be surprised if you see these silent hearse someday can run itself without the driver, and don't quickly associates it with any spooky things.

As reported by Autoevolution, a Dutch company specialized in stretching luxury cars named RemetzCar then make these environmentally friendly hearse by lengthened the car's wheelbase by 80 cm longer than the standard.

To extend the size of the car, RemetzCar was forced to cut the Tesla electric car in the middle. And then, the rear cabin overhauled with a little higher roof to accommodate the coffin in it following the storage space underneath. These translucent style designed coffin compartments with a glass so people can see clearly the coffin inside.

The hearse performed in a quite luxurious style as well, because decorated with the diamonds on a partition screen frame. After finished, the black-colored Tesla Model S hearse was performing at a funeral exhibition in Goinchem on September 28, 2016. Unfortunately, there is no information about the price of the electric-powered hearse. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The world's deepest underwater cave found in Czech Republic

An expedition team found the deepest underwater cave in the world, located in the Czech Republic, the Hranicka Propast, a huge hole that has a depth of 404 meters, and 12 meters deeper than Pozzo del Merro in Italy whose previously held the record for the deepest cave.

A Polish divers named Krzysztof Starnawski who was first explored Hranicka Propast in 1999. The limestone formations discovered, make him sure it has more depth of the dives which he has done before.

Polish diver Krzysztof Starnawski began diving in Hranicka Propast 20 years ago, now determined to be the deepest underwater cave in the world. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eb8H8)

On his discovery, then Starnawski led the cave joint expedition of the Czech Republic and Poland for two years, which is supported by a grant from National Geographic and involves many divers to collect more data.

As quoted by LiveScience on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, recently the deep holes of the limestone measured with the help of remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to determine the depth of the cave.

With the assistance of an ROV, the expedition team was able to measure the cave's depth and explore the bottom of the limestone abyss. Krzysztof Starnawski (left) and Bartlomiej Grynda when observed the underwater cave images from ROV. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eb8H8)

A diagram showing the depth of the world's
deepest underwater cave, the Hranicka 
Propast. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eb8u0)

In a dive in 2014, Starnawski has reached a depth of 200 meters, which he believed to be the basis of the underwater cave. However, he found a small opening that led him to another vertical tunnel with a length exceeding the probe used by Starnawski to measure the depth of the cave. Lines of the cave depth stop at 384 meters, the difference is only a little bit of Pozzo del Merro which has a depth of 392 meters.

"He is a deep-cave diver, so he was keen to explore the deepest parts of the system," said a member of the expedition and adventure film maker, Marcin Jamkowski, as told to Live Science.

When he returned to the cave last year, Starnawski found that a narrow gap has widened, and he is able to squeeze through the depth of 265 meters. Starnawski released another probe. This time, the probe can be on the surface at 370 meters depth.

In a dive on September 27, 2016, the original size of the cave finally determined and it broke the record for the deepest underwater cave. The expedition team had to use a ROV to reach the bottom of the cave, because a diver can only reach a depth of 400 meters.

The remotely-operated underwater robot dived a depth of 404 meters before reaching the end of its cord. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eb8u0)

"There is a kind of dives were conducted by the petroleum industry to that depth, but usually only last a month, from surface to surface," explains Jamkowksi. "This can not be done in a cave like this, so the right choice to send a robot in which people can not reach," he added.

When the team is exploring the depths of the cave, they found a fallen tree, trunk, and branches from the base, and suspect that the cave has changed shape. According Jamkowksi, slit shape at this time would not allow the natural debris falling from the cave entrance. They also found that the cave is surprisingly large, and seemed to follow the shape of natural stone or a fault line. The team plans to explore and study the cave furthermore. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ABC NEWS | LIVESCIENCE]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Seeing the Kebo Bule, a lucky-draw custom chopper of the Kustomfest 2016

Many special treat is always given by the Kustomfest, to be enjoyed by the visitors of the annual event, including a lucky draw custom motorcycle made by Retro Classic Cycles.

In building a motorcycle specifically made for the luckiest visitor of the Kustomfest 2016, the Yogyakarta-based workshop Retro Classic Cycles is not just created of different engineering side, but on the detail concept also comes with a thought of an Indonesian cultural heritage background combined with the aspects of special technologies.

Kebo Bule or 'White Giant,' a lucky draw custom chopper bike of the Kustomfest 2016 made by Retro Classic Cycles. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ed2HM)

Lulut Wahyudi, the owner of Retro Classic Cycles who also the Kustomfest director were not exclusively explore the culture of Yogyakarta, but the richness of cultural heritage in various regions in Indonesia also adds the inspiration.

"The Kustomfest is a special event that combines the art and engineering in which all the fans come from all over Indonesia. This is where we devote all the notions, ideas and ability to design and build vehicles. This includes the background of our lucky draw custom motorcycle in the Kustomfest," he said further.

Now, the Paksi Naga Liman carriage of the Sultanate Kanoman created in the year 1350 Saka or 1428 AD by Prince Losari, which became a carriage of Sunan Gunung Jati of Cirebon as an inspiration for Lulut Wahyudi in designing a custom bike of Lucky Draw Kustomfest 2016 nicknamed Kebo Bule.

A traditional 'Mega Mendung' batik motif decorated nicely on the body of Kebo Bule chopper bike. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ed2PI)

"My long dreamy view details such as the carriage is different to the one that I had seen before. In those days it had been prominent in terms of technology that makes the carriage convenient, among others, about the construction of the wheel that takes into account the comfort of passengers," said Lulut.

Kebo Bule chopper bike powered by an American V-twin Sportster 2012. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1eebHz)

When he returned to Yogyakarta, with a relatively short time, only 30 days to build a custom motorcycle, Lulut gathering the inspiration from the Paksi Naga Liman carriage into the figure of custom motorcycle based of an American Traditional Old School Chopper combined with the Cirebon motifs nuanced.

"Why did I choose the traditional style of American chopper, because it was eternal and I would like to dedicate this special work in Kustomfest 2016 themed the 5th Reborn Legend and bring a lot of legends. And Retro Classic Cycles are always oriented to Yogyakarta, but whatever inspiration of Indonesian cultural heritage as well as the Cirebon motif is the evidence of our respect combined with the art of design in the world of custom motorcycles," he said.

Every detail ranging from the construction of the frame, handlebars election and riding position has been designed so that Kebo Bule which means 'White Giant' raises glamor and offers a strong blend between art and engineering.

"I have traveled the region in Indonesia and continue to study how the builder to design the bike and engineering process. through these Kebo Bule, I enhance what is obtained by taking into account all angles. For example, the blends of fork springer with the dimension of mini ape hanger handlebar to be a characteristic of the traditional chopper style but does not leave the side of ergonomic and comfort of handling," said Lulut.

Over selection of the Sportster engine, Lulut not necessarily apply to his rigid frame design. However, filled with art engineering that is directly aligned along Retro Classic Cycles handmade works, including the engine accessory of EMD.

In terms of painting, Lulut also now encourage a young painter named Titah Argayoga of Retro Syndicate Kustom Paint to explore his ability to be trusted work on the Kebo Bule painting, including the Mega Mendung batik motif.

Do You want to get these special custom bike? Please buy the ticket for Rp.50 thousand (or approx US. $3.89) only as your appreciation of the work of the nation at the JEC Hall from October 8 to 9, 2016.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins.... ••• [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OTOSIA | NAIK MOTOR]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.