Ford is gearing up to launch the new electrified Bronco as it aims to revamp the brand in Europe. Here’s what we know about the upcoming 4×4 so far.
When is Ford launching the electrified Bronco?
When will we see an electric Bronco in the US? Ford opened pre-orders for an electrified Bronco last month, which will be sold in China as fully electric (EV) and range-extended electric vehicle (EREV) variants.
Now, it looks like the American automaker is bringing the burly, trail-ready 4×4 SUV to Europe. According to a new report from Automotive News Europe, Ford will use the iconic Bronco nameplate for a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in Europe.
Ford will build the Bronco PHEV at its Valencia assembly plant in Spain, alongside the Kuga. The new SUV will ride on the same C2 platform as the Kuga with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Given Ford’s struggles to sell EVs in Europe, no fully electric version (EV) is expected. Although it will share the same underpinnings as the Kuga, the electrified Bronco will have a distinct look.
The Bronco PHEV will take its cues from the rugged 4×4 sold in the US as Ford taps into its American roots to grab attention in Europe’s growing SUV market. As Autocar has learned, it’s expected to feature a “two-box” SUV design, with a more upright, squared-off profile than the Kuga.
Ford used a similar approach with the Electric Explorer, combining classic American design with German engineering. The Explorer is built in Cologne, Germany, alongside the electric Capri.
Top comment by Rein
“Ford’s struggles to sale EVs in Europe”?
The Puma EV is the top selling BEV in the UK and their BEV sales are up over 150% in Europe.
Ford’s struggles to sell EVs on VW’s dated and overpriced MEB. Is more accurate. They need to get out of that MEB deal ASAP.
The platform under the Puma already has a longer wheelbase version that underpins the Transit Connect EV. If they were to build a BEV version of the Bronco on that with the ICE/PHEV on the C2 it could see similar success. This would be similar to what we see with the next generation Mercedes, Audi & Porsche with EVs being on different platforms than the same model ICE.
Like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar Land Rover, the new electrified model will serve as a more mainstream crossover SUV than the current gas-powered Bronco.
It’s expected to be slightly smaller than the US-spec Bronco, closer in size to the Sport, and a less premium alternative to JLR’s Defender Sport and Mercedes’ downsized G-Class SUVs.
Ford is set to launch the Bronco PHEV in Europe’s most popular vehicle segment in 2027, where it will compete with the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage.
Will we see an electrified Bronco in the US? It likely won’t be anytime soon. After halting production, Ford is reportedly considering killing off the electric F-150 Lightning pickup altogether in the US as it shifts to hybrids and lower-cost EVs.
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