I think it is a confidence thing. Especially with manual cars you want to yank on the lever and feel the clicks so you know the car is not going anywhere.
Looks like the manual shifter is in the center of the console area while the automatic shifter is far left and is quite narrow. The knob would have to move so the two cupholders can be aft of the shifter. Also potentially to make room for a handbrake on the manual.
What if a tray comes out and the side can attach to the open swing gate? We know there is a potential creative solution. If the swing gate is less than 4 feet long having it open with a tray will be legal.
There is zero evidence of this being a dual gate. It would have to hinge at the very bottom and would not work as long as the tire is there. It may be removable but I don't see any way it could drop.
The hinges are exactly the same. There are some illusions with the picture from the video but the horizontal recess is the same and the hinge is the same.
Full original image from Broncosportforum.com -- https://www.broncosportforum.com/new-bronco-sport-sighting-reveals-cyber-orange-pearl-and-different-grille-designs/