Forgotten Auto History: The 2004 Ford Bronco Concept Packed 128 HP, 244 lb-ft—and a Nitrous-Boosted Diesel

Ford’s Bronco made a highly publicized return to the market just a few years ago—but the comeback almost happened much earlier. Back in 2004, only a short time after the previous-generation SUV had been discontinued, Ford unveiled the Bronco Concept at the Detroit Auto Show. The futuristic prototype was meant to preview a revival of the iconic off-road nameplate.

The concept featured a boxy, angular design with a matte aluminum body finish—very much in line with early-2000s concept car trends. Its styling paid tribute to the original 1960s Bronco, with round headlights up front and small, simple taillights in the rear, paired with oversized off-road wheels.

Inside, the cabin was as minimalist as you’d expect from a hardcore trail machine, though it didn’t skimp on materials like suede and aluminum trim. Like today’s production Bronco, the concept also featured a removable roof, letting drivers enjoy open-air adventures.

A Turbodiesel With a Twist

For its time, the Bronco Concept used a fairly advanced all-wheel-drive system. Under normal driving conditions, power was sent to the front wheels. When the system detected wheel slip, torque was automatically redistributed to all four wheels for improved traction.

Unlike today’s Bronco, which offers a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 335 horsepower, the 2004 concept took a very different approach. It was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel—an engine that was also used in European-market models such as the Mondeo, Galaxy, and Focus. Output was modest: 128 horsepower and 244 lb-ft (331 Nm) of torque.

On paper, those numbers didn’t sound especially exciting. But the concept had a trick up its sleeve. A dashboard switch labeled “N2O” activated a nitrous oxide injection system, delivering a temporary boost of roughly 50 additional horsepower for a few seconds at a time.

As with most concept vehicles, however, this Bronco never reached production. After its debut, the project quietly faded away. It would take another 19 years—until 2020—for the Bronco name to officially return to Ford showrooms.