Let’s talk about the Ford Bronco. A name that hits like a boulder crashing through a canyon, a car that looks like it was built to scare off bears and humiliate mud puddles. The Bronco is back, but not as you know it. Ford has unveiled an electric version, the Bronco New Energy, and it’s so modern it could practically update your smartphone. But before you lace up your boots and charge to the dealership, here’s the kicker: this beast probably won’t make it to Europe. And that, frankly, feels like a slap in the face with a wet fish.
The Bronco New Energy isn’t just an electric motor slapped into an existing Bronco. No, this is a whole new animal, built in collaboration with Jiangling Motors for the Chinese market. It’s got the rugged, boxy look of its petrol-guzzling sibling, but underneath, it’s a different story. Picture a 105.4 kWh battery pack for the fully electric version, good for a range of 650 kilometres according to China’s CLTC standard. That’s a tad optimistic—let’s be real, in the real world, you’re probably looking at closer to 500 kilometres. Still, not bad for a car that looks like it could eat a mountain for breakfast.
There’s also a hybrid variant, a so-called REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle), with a 43.7 kWh battery and a 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a range extender. Together, Ford promises a mind-boggling total range of over 1200 kilometres. That’s enough to drive to the moon, or at least to a decent chip shop and back. The electric version pairs a 177 hp motor on the front axle with a 275 hp one on the rear, while the hybrid delivers a system output of 241 hp. Not exactly a snail, but it won’t blow your socks off like a Mustang Mach-E either.
The interior? Ford’s keeping that under wraps, but let’s hazard a guess: a massive screen that feels like you’re piloting a spaceship. There’s probably LiDAR and an army of sensors and cameras too, because this is a car for China, where tech outweighs a good steak. And at five metres long, this isn’t a compact fella. It’s a colossus, a rolling barn that’d make even the Kia EV9 blush.
So why the long faces in Europe? Simple: Ford has no plans to bring this electric Bronco to our continent. And that’s a shame, because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to cruise around in an electric off-roader that looks like it stepped out of a Western? The classic Bronco is already a rare sight here, with its 2.7-litre V6 spewing CO2 like it’s confetti. That engine makes it about as tax-friendly as a government audit. The electric New Energy could’ve been a solution, but Ford seems to think Europe isn’t ready for a tough EV with Bronco DNA. Or maybe they’re worried our roads are too narrow for a car wider than your average living room.
Let’s dream for a moment. Picture a world where this Bronco New Energy does come to Europe. You’d be tearing through the Ardennes with a silent electric motor that doesn’t spook a single deer, all while looking like the star of an action flick. The Bronco’s off-road credentials are legendary, and with an electric powertrain, you could conquer muddy trails without choking the planet. But for now, it’s just a fantasy. Ford’s focusing on models like the Puma, Kuga, and electric Explorer in Europe. The Bronco New Energy? It’s staying in China, probably being sold alongside dumplings and neon lights.
Is this a missed opportunity? Absolutely. An electric Bronco could’ve shaken up the European market, a bold alternative to the tame SUVs clogging our roads. But for now, we’re stuck with the petrol Bronco, which, with its 335 hp and 319 g/km CO2 emissions, is about as tax-friendly as an angry bull. And let’s not forget: the current Bronco starts at around €76,700 in Belgium, with an annual road tax that’ll make your wallet weep. The electric version, estimated at roughly €40,000 in China, could’ve been a more affordable option.
So, what’s left? A gorgeous concept we’ll probably only see on YouTube, wondering why Ford’s denying us this fun. Maybe it’s time to start a petition or just move to China. Until then, we can only hope Ford wakes up one day and brings this electric beast to Europe.
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