Electric Cars

Ford has marked the 60th anniversary of its iconic Bronco line with an innovative approach, bypassing traditional sales of special edition vehicles. Instead, the automotive giant has introduced two meticulously customized project vehicles, the Bronco Silver Lake Dunes and the Bronco Sport Silver Lake Dunes. These unique creations are not destined for dealership showrooms as complete packages; rather, they are designed as detailed blueprints for enthusiasts eager to personalize their own Bronco or Bronco Sport. This strategy empowers owners to construct these specialized editions themselves, drawing upon Ford’s extensive catalog of performance parts and accessories, complemented by select external custom graphic and paint services. This hands-on approach emphasizes the spirit of individuality and adventure that defines the Bronco brand, inviting owners to forge a deeper connection with their vehicles by participating directly in their transformation.

The Silver Lake Dunes project vehicles are a testament to creative customization, providing a tangible example of how a standard Bronco or Bronco Sport can be elevated. By making the necessary components and modification guidelines accessible, Ford is fostering a vibrant community of modifiers. This initiative not only celebrates the Bronco's enduring legacy but also ensures that the allure of these special editions extends beyond a limited production run, allowing a wider audience to experience the thrill of owning a truly unique, dunes-inspired vehicle. It showcases the vast potential for personalization inherent in the Bronco platform, encouraging owners to explore and express their adventurous spirit through their vehicles.

The Spirit of Silver Lake Dunes: A Celebration of Personalization

Ford has commemorated the 60th milestone of its beloved Bronco series by introducing two specialized concept vehicles, the Bronco Silver Lake Dunes and Bronco Sport Silver Lake Dunes. Unlike typical anniversary models, these unique editions are not available for direct purchase from dealerships. Instead, they represent a pioneering approach to vehicle personalization, serving as comprehensive guides for enthusiasts to meticulously recreate using components readily available from Ford’s performance parts catalog and official accessories. This innovative strategy empowers owners to engage directly in the customization process, fostering a deeper connection with their vehicles. These project builds honor the rugged beauty and adventurous legacy of Michigan's Silver Lake dune country, an area historically significant to the Bronco's heritage, transforming each vehicle into a symbol of exploration and bespoke craftsmanship.

The design ethos behind the Silver Lake Dunes project vehicles draws profound inspiration from the distinctive landscape of Michigan's Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Each vehicle boasts a striking Azure Gray exterior, accentuated by bespoke graphic packages developed by Ford's color and materials experts. These graphics ingeniously depict the dynamic flow of dunes merging with the horizon of Lake Michigan, creating an illusion of movement across the vehicle's bodywork and extending across various panels, including the hood, doors, fenders, and even the hardtop of the Bronco. Both models incorporate a comprehensive suite of Ford catalog parts, such as Yakima paddleboard carriers, Rigid Industries light bars, robust bull bars, protective skid plates, and modular bumpers. Additionally, they feature custom-painted tow hooks and badging, further distinguishing their appearance. The Bronco Silver Lake Dunes variant is equipped with painted Bronco Heritage wheels paired with BFGoodrich T/A KO3 tires, while the Bronco Sport version showcases Mustang Mach-E Rally wheels fitted with BFGoodrich XL TRTERRA tires. The Bronco Sport, built upon a Sasquatch-equipped Badlands model, benefits from an enhanced suspension lift, a specialized Rally mode, and color-matched bumper panels. Both vehicles are unified by vibrant orange accents and bespoke vinyl graphics, requiring specialized external services for replication, underscoring Ford's commitment to empowering owners to realize truly custom and unique iterations of these iconic vehicles.

Crafting Your Own Dunes-Inspired Bronco: A Guide to Accessibility and Customization

Since Ford is not offering the Silver Lake Dunes vehicles as pre-assembled packages, aspiring owners must undertake the assembly process themselves. The encouraging news is that the vast majority of necessary components are conveniently accessible through the official Ford Performance Parts catalog or as part of Ford’s accessory lineup. This includes everything from specialized wheels and high-performance tires to robust racks and advanced lighting systems. Beyond these readily available parts, the only additional steps involve commissioning custom graphics and unique paintwork, services that typically require engagement with external professionals. Ford intentionally engineered these builds to be achievable for any owner committed to replicating the distinctive Silver Lake Dunes aesthetic, transforming a vision of personalized adventure into a tangible reality without the need for complex fabrication.

While Ford has not provided an official pricing structure for these custom builds, as costs will naturally fluctuate based on individual choices of parts and accessories, the core objective of this initiative remains clear: to illustrate the profound potential for transforming a standard Bronco or Bronco Sport into an extraordinary, highly personalized vehicle. This is achieved through the strategic use of readily available components, negating the need for custom fabrication and making advanced customization accessible to a broader audience. Essentially, the Silver Lake Dunes Project Vehicles serve as comprehensive templates, inspiring and guiding owners through the process of unique personalization. This approach diverges from traditional sales models, emphasizing that these exceptional vehicles are not to be found on dealership lots but are instead built, piece by piece, by the very enthusiasts who dream of owning them.

The automotive landscape is welcoming a compelling new entrant, the Renault 4 E-Tech, an electric crossover that skillfully blends nostalgic design cues with contemporary practicality. Positioned as the latest chapter in Renault's electric vehicle renaissance, this model follows in the successful tire tracks of the popular Renault 5. Its design masterfully updates classic aesthetics without succumbing to excessive kitsch, resulting in a vehicle that is both familiar and fresh. Beyond its striking appearance, the Renault 4 E-Tech delivers a comfortable and spacious interior, competitive performance figures, and a range that proves highly suitable for daily commutes and extended journeys. This offering from Renault presents a package that is not only visually appealing but also economically sound, making it a strong contender in the burgeoning electric vehicle segment and challenging established rivals.

The Renault 4 E-Tech arrives as a pivotal part of Renault's strategy to revitalize its iconic names for the electric era, building upon the critical and commercial acclaim of the Renault 5. This new crossover manages to imbue a sense of charm that sets it apart from many of its segment peers, such as the Ford Puma Gen-E and BYD Dolphin, while surpassing the retro interpretations seen in models like the Fiat 600e and Mini Aceman. Its visual identity, characterized by a more subdued color palette and restrained front fascia, offers a sophisticated take on retro-futurism.

Internally, the Renault 4 E-Tech shares its architectural foundation with the Renault 5, benefiting from the same comfortable, supportive front seats and tactile physical controls for climate management. The cabin boasts a thoughtful selection of materials, exhibiting a quality that generally exceeds expectations for its class. An exciting future enhancement includes an optional roll-back fabric roof, adding to its appeal. Standard equipment across all trims is generous, with even the base Evolution model including cruise control and phone mirroring. Higher trims, starting with the Techno, integrate Google's advanced software for infotainment and navigation.

Despite its numerical designation suggesting otherwise, the Renault 4 is the more spacious and family-oriented vehicle compared to the Renault 5. Its bespoke flat-floored EV platform contributes to excellent headroom and adequate rear legroom, ensuring passenger comfort. The boot capacity of 420 liters is quite impressive for its class, notably surpassing many competitors, with the exception of the Ford Puma, which benefits from its unique 'GigaBox' underfloor storage solution. While the interior largely impresses, some minor ergonomic peculiarities exist, such as shallow door bins that may not secure larger items effectively. Additionally, Renault's column-mounted automatic gear selector and the audio control stalk behind the steering wheel require a period of adjustment for new users. However, these are minor criticisms in an otherwise well-conceived and pleasant cabin.

Performance-wise, the UK market receives the higher-powered variant of the Renault 4 E-Tech, equipped with a 148bhp motor and 181lb ft of torque, driving the front wheels. This setup allows for an 8.2-second sprint from 0 to 62mph and a top speed of 93mph, figures that are more than sufficient for typical driving conditions. The vehicle's 52kWh usable battery capacity provides a quoted maximum range of 247 miles, with real-world testing indicating around 215 miles on a full charge in warm conditions, translating to an efficient 4.1m/kWh. Charging is efficient, with a rapid charger achieving 10 to 80 percent charge in approximately 30 minutes, and a 22kW kerbside unit reaching full charge from 60 percent in about 90 minutes. This range aligns well with segment averages, catering effectively to most journeys.

The Renault 4 E-Tech truly excels in urban environments, where its inherent electric vehicle responsiveness and smooth operation are complemented by an effective one-pedal driving mode that can bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Its ride quality is quintessentially French—soft and compliant, yet maintaining composure without excessive body roll. Outside of the city, the vehicle maintains its composure and comfort on dual carriageways, offering precise steering and ample power. While it may not possess the agility of its smaller sibling, the Renault 5, its handling remains predictable and composed across various road surfaces. The observed body roll when pushed vigorously is a minor characteristic, aligning with its design as a practical crossover rather than a performance-focused hot hatch, and arguably, is true to the spirit of the original model.

One of the Renault 4 E-Tech's most compelling attributes is its outstanding value proposition. Starting at £26,995, it significantly undercuts direct competitors such as the Ford Puma, Fiat 600e, Mini Aceman, and BYD Dolphin. While the Citroen e-C3 Aircross offers competitive pricing and interior space, it falls short on both range and performance when compared to the Renault 4. Crucially, none of its rivals can match the sheer likeability and character of the Renault 4. The recent eligibility for an additional £1500 off through the UK's new EV grant further enhances its already attractive pricing, solidifying its position as a highly competitive and desirable electric crossover. Renault's strategic approach with the 4 E-Tech demonstrates a keen understanding of the market, effectively combining retro appeal with modern EV technology and exceptional affordability, positioning itself ahead of many rivals.