After years of absence, the Ford Bronco has returned to the United States in style. The legendary off-roader of the oval firm has raised enormous expectations in its home market (orders are so numerous that the waiting list extends well into 2022), where it will have to face the also iconic Jeep Wrangler.
Although initially it was not planned that this model would arrive in Europe, Jim Farley, CEO of the company, has dropped that this possibility is being studied by those responsible for the brand in the old continent. I’m waiting for you to make a decision. I see a lot of [Land Rover] Defender around me. I think it would work well.
Currently, the Ford Bronco is marketed with two petrol engines in the EcoBoost family: a 2.3 four-cylinder with 300 hp and 441 Nm and a six-cylinder 2.7 with 330 hp and 563 Nm. Later on, both a Raptor variant with a 400 hp 3.0 V6 and a plug-in hybrid that will compete with the Jeep Wrangler 4xe will join.
Given that Ford wants to be a 100% electric brand in Europe by 2030, the model that has the most ballots to reach our market is the plug-in hybrid, which will also help lower the company’s average emissions. For this reason, we can almost certainly assume that the thermal variants will not be offered on this side of the pond.
The Ford Bronco will have PHEV and BEV versions
However, rumors indicate that Ford is also developing a 100% electric version of the Bronco, which will take as its starting point the powertrain of the F-150 Lightning pick-up. Ford has already confirmed the development of a model of this type, and although it has not announced whether it will receive the trade name Bronco, the silhouette revealed as a teaser fits perfectly with the said car, as the image even shows the spare wheel in the typical hatchback of the jeeps.
This variant would make much more sense in Europe, since not only would it fit perfectly with Ford’s electrification plans, but it would also be a proposal with practically no rivals on the market: if today there are only a handful of SUVs left. cigars for sale (Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Land Cruiser), there are still none 100% electric.
Given that the electric Ford Bronco will probably arrive from the year 2023, by then there will be some cars of this type available: the Mercedes-Benz EQG and the Rivian R1S, to which we should add the hypothetical Jeep Wrangler Magneto, which for the moment is still a prototype.
