A Ford executive has confirmed that an off-road and “boxier” version of the Escape is being developed and it sounds an awful lot like the Baby Bronco.

Ford just revealed the next generation of Escape. The 2020 Escape got a sleeker, more aerodynamic body that’s both lighter and roomier than the previous-gen version. The new base-model engine, a 1.5-L EcoBoost 4-cylinder, is able to minimally sip fuel while still providing a sufficient 180 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque.

All in all, the new Escape is the perfect representation of an economical and small sport utility vehicle (if such a thing could be argued to even exist). But now we’re told that there’s a more rugged, sportier, and all around “boxier” version of the Escape on the way.

According to Ford’s VP of product development and purchasing Hau Thai-Tang, an off-road version of the Escape is in the works. His comments were made to The Detroit Bureau last week, and while it so far doesn’t have a name, he did say a few things that make it almost certain that he’s referring to the Baby Bronco.

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First, he said it doesn’t have a name, which the Baby Bronco still doesn’t have otherwise we wouldn’t be calling it the Baby Bronco. He also said it would have a "taller ride height [than the Escape], a boxier appearance, more ground clearance, a different track or width, and a more upright windshield." All those are very Bronco-ish descriptors, so we’re pretty sure he’s talking about the Baby Bronco.

He also said it would share a platform with the Focus and Escape, which previous rumors surrounding the Baby Bronco have stated.

The important thing is that Thai-Tang also said that the Baby Bronco will be revealed later this fall as production starts in late summer. Paris, Tokyo, and Los Angeles all have motor shows around this time, or we could see it unveiled at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

We’ll just have to wait and see, but at least the wait is almost over.

(via Motor1)

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