Following in the tire tracks of the Mustang Mach-E (which uses the Mustang moniker but is of course a completely different model), another iconic Ford nameplate has spawned an electrified version. Say hello to the Ford Bronco New Energy.
It’s a Chinese-market exclusive, created in partnership with Jiangling Motors (JMC). Just hours ago, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published new info and photos on the electric SUV, and Ford hasn’t put out an official press release, we now have some idea as to the specs of the new model.
The Bronco New Energy appears distinct from both the Bronco and the Bronco Sport, boasting a longer and wider body than either of the two and also mixing up their exterior elements. The front end is more similar to that of the Bronco Sport, but the rear features a spare tire carrier like the Bronco. It doesn’t look capable of going roof-less—this is a traditional SUV that, at 5,025mm long (versus 4,810 for the standard version), has the length to accommodate a third row.
What’s not traditional is the powertrain. Based on the information The Autopian has dug up on the MIIT website (again, not yet official at this point), there will be two options. The first is a fully-electric variant powered by separate front and rear motors—174hp and 271hp, respectively—for an all-wheel-drive setup that can deliver up to 650km of range courtesy of a 105kWh battery. That range is based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
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Meanwhile, the extended-range EV version packs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that acts as a generator when the 43.7kWh battery runs out of juice. The front motor puts out 174hp while the rear motor is capable of 241hp. Electric-only range is 220km, while the combined range from both combustion and electric sources is 1,220km. The top speed for both versions is 170kph.
The final bit of info we have on the Bronco New Energy is the availability of a LiDAR-based advanced driver-assist system, which could mean a higher level of autonomous driving capability. Other than that, we’ll learn more when the electric Bronco drops later this year.
