Ford Bronco Eco-Friendly Edition Set to Hit Australian Markets

Ford Australia has officially confirmed that the Ford Bronco New Energy range-extender SUV will be making its way to Australian showrooms in 2027. This model will join the Ranger plug-in hybrid ute, as well as the electric Transit and Mustang Mach-E models that are already available in the Australian market.

Although Ford Australia has not yet made an official announcement regarding the Chinese-made Bronco New Energy, a ‘Coming Soon’ page featuring an image of the SUV has been launched on the Metro Ford website in Queensland, confirming its imminent arrival in Australia.

While specific details such as pricing, model grades, and powertrain options have not been disclosed, it is anticipated that the Australian version of the Bronco New Energy will be equipped with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, different from the pure-electric variant offered in China.

EREVs utilize a petrol engine as a generator to recharge the battery, while the electric motors provide propulsion. Similar EREVs already available in Australia include the Leapmotor C10 SUV.

The Bronco New Energy, manufactured in China by Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motors, marks a new addition to Ford’s global lineup, incorporating a new energy drivetrain into one of the most iconic nameplates in the automotive industry. However, Ford Australia has not released any details about future products at this time.

Despite sharing the Bronco name and some exterior design elements with the US-made Bronco, the Bronco New Energy is built on a different platform with monocoque construction, similar to previous Ford Endura and Territory models.

Measuring 5025mm long, 1960mm wide, and 1815mm high, with a 2950mm wheelbase, 220mm ground clearance, and 600mm wading depth, the Bronco New Energy surpasses the dimensions of the largest SUV currently offered by Ford Australia, the Everest.

The EREV powertrain of the Bronco New Energy consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine acting as a generator for a 43.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, powering a 110kW front motor and a 180kW rear motor, delivering a combined output of 360kW and 600Nm of torque.

Ford China claims that the Bronco New Energy can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds, offers an electric-only range of approximately 220km on the CLTC cycle, and a total range of 1220km when utilizing the 63-litre petrol tank.

Expected to be available in three model grades – Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Outer Banks – the pricing in China for the Big Bend starts at ¥229,800 (A$48,269), providing an indication of the potential pricing range for the Australian market.

Standard features on the Bronco New Energy Big Bend include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, all-wheel drive, synthetic leather upholstery, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay, 50W wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic glass roof, and 10 airbags.

The Black Diamond model, priced at ¥249,800 (A$52,470), adds selectable drive modes, leather upholstery, a 70-inch augmented-reality head-up display, and a 21-speaker, 1000W audio system.

The top-tier Outer Banks variant, priced at ¥272,800, features front and rear mechanical differential locks, LiDAR-based advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with highway navigation-assisted driving, heated rear seats, and a 7.5-litre heating/cooling fridge. An optional pop-up camping roof package is also available for the top two model grades.

In conclusion, the Ford Bronco New Energy represents a significant step for Ford Australia in expanding its lineup with an innovative new energy drivetrain option. The arrival of this SUV in Australian showrooms in 2027 is highly anticipated, offering customers a blend of performance, efficiency, and advanced technology.