Ford Bronco EV and hybrid revealed

While Americans are still arguing over whether their Broncos need the 224kW four-cylinder or the 312kW twin-turbo V6, China just got something completely different – an electric Bronco that’s bigger than both.

Meet the Ford Bronco New Energy, which sounds like it was named by a committee of optimistic marketing execs: a battery-powered beast recently surfaced on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website.

At 5004mm long and 1956mm wide, it dwarfs both the Bronco Sport (4387mm) and the regular Bronco (4811mm). Think Toyota Prado or Kia EV9 proportions.

Like the big Kia, the new Ford Bronco EV is heavy.

It tips the scales at just over 2600kg, while the range-extending PHEV Bronco New Energy ‘only’ weighs 2511kg. For context, a 1588kg Bronco Sport looks positively dainty.

Available in either EV or PHEV form, with a super-dense 105kWh (EV) battery pack or a 44kWh unit (PHEV) backed by a small 1.5-litre petrol engine, the new Bronco was created by Ford and Jiangling Motors. The result? A supersized Bronco riding on a car-like monocoque or unibody platform.

Neither appears to be a muscle-bound hero car like the Bronco Raptor. The EV pumps out 202kW, while the PHEV delivers 180kW.

It’s been reported that BYD is supplying the battery packs for the project. Early data suggests the EV’s claimed cruising range is 650km (404 miles), while the PHEV offers 220km (137 miles) of electric-only driving on a full charge. Of course, once the latter exhausts its electrons it can call on its petrol engine to replenish them.

These figures are based on the more lenient CLTC protocols, so if the electrified Broncos were exported to Europe or Australia, WLTP numbers would likely be lower.

Speaking of export markets, Ford boss and closet Xiaomi advocate Jim Farley has all but confirmed the Bronco will be built in right-hand drive for markets like Australia, the UK and South Africa.

“The big Bronco will do right-hand drive, and I think it’s worth a try,” Farley said in September 2024. Whether he was referring to the Bronco, Bronco Sport, or even the Bronco New Energy remains to be seen. But with several evaluation Broncos spotted on Aussie roads since mid-2022, it’s clear Ford’s product planners are actively assessing new markets.

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