America's Ford Bronco Will Get "a Lot of Exciting Powertrains"

A Global Bronco, Just Not the Same Everywhere

At this point, we know that the Ford Bronco is becoming a global nameplate, but what that means depends on your location. In the US, you get the classic body-on-frame Bronco built to take on the Jeep Wrangler, plus the smaller Bronco Sport that’s more about daily driving than rock crawling. Outside America, Ford isn’t afraid to mix things up with the Bronco badge.

China gets its own Bronco, including a plug-in hybrid “New Energy” version that looks the part and keeps the tough styling buyers expect. It’s still a Bronco, albeit with a high-tech twist and tweaked for regional demands and rules. Europe is next, with a Kuga-based plug-in hybrid that borrows Bronco styling but focuses on electrification and everyday use.

But that doesn’t mean the American Bronco is stuck with gas engines for good.

Farley Establishing Expectations, Carefully

In a recent interview with Autocar, Ford CEO Jim Farley hints at how the Bronco could develop in the US, without committing to any single configuration. Buyers “should expect a lot of exciting powertrains,” Farley told the publication.

That’s confirmation that electrification is coming for the Bronco, in some form. Farley also made it clear that the Chinese Bronco New Energy isn’t part of the plan. Any electrified Bronco for the US will be its own thing, not just a rebadged import.

The real story is what Ford hasn’t ruled out. Hybrid, range-extended, or something else entirely are all still on the table. The final setup hasn’t been locked in yet.

What Would America Get Then?

This lines up with Ford’s bigger push into hybrids, both traditional and range-extended setups, where a gas engine acts as a generator. The question now is where Ford will use that tech across its lineup.

Bronco Sport is the easy target, since it’s related to the Escape, which already has a plug-in hybrid. That makes it a straightforward move, but don’t count out the full-size Bronco. The Ranger, which shares its platform, already runs as a plug-in hybrid in other markets, so the hardware is ready.

Ford could also go for a clean-sheet design, but that would take more time and money. For now, the company is keeping its options open, and all we can do now is wait for clues.

View the full article