Ford is targeting a more premium chunk of the off-road market with the new 2027 Bronco Filson, and reducing cabin noise is a significant part of this journey upscale; adjustments to aerodynamics and additional sound deadening played a crucial role in reducing cabin noise by nearly 20 percent for the new edition of the off-roader.
But at the launch event, Ford's chief Bronco engineer, Ed Krenz, revealed the automaker briefly considered going to even more dramatic lengths to improve the sonic experience inside the Bronco—by giving it a fixed hardtop. "The need for a quieter interior was so important, that we were provoked in early discussions around, if you require a fixed roof to achieve this, then let’s go to a fixed [roof]," Krenz said to Road & Track.
View Price on AmazonThe current Bronco is offered with either a removable hardtop or a retractable canvas soft top. Offering an open-air experience is an essential attribute in competing against the Jeep Wrangler, but Ford admitted that customers initially complained about road noise and cabin volume. Big, all-terrain tires are prone to humming at highway speeds, and this droning sound is only emphasized by roof and door seals that are meant to be removed.
Krenz explained that some of the Bronco Filson's sonic upgrades were as simple as retooling the seals in the roof and doors, both of which remain removable. Sound absorption was a key focus for the design team, and softer headliner and seatback materials—already planned as part of the move to make the new variant feel higher-end—help dampen the sound waves.
Ford says upmarket off-road-capable SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser are the primary competitors for the new Bronco Filson. With the latest version aiming more directly against models with fixed roofs, Ford tested the new Bronco Filson extensively in wind tunnels. And the outcome of these updates appears to be competitive, as Krenz said the Bronco Filson regularly scored at around 23 sones, a measurement of perceived loudness to the human ear.
Source: roadandtrack.com
