Ford may be been hesitant in embracing electrified powertrains outside of Europe, but they’re now realizing that to compete in markets like China, they have to offer something with a strong New Energy flavor.
Leveraging their joint-venture partnership with Jiangling Motors, the same company that makes the Territory, Ford has unveiled the Bronco New Energy—a large SUV available in both fully electric and range-extended electric versions.
In its EV form, the Bronco New Energy features a 176-horsepower (130 kW) motor upfront and a 274 (202 kW) motor outback for all-wheel drive capability. With a 105.4-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery sourced from, you guessed it, BYD, it should offer 650 kilometers between charges.
Joining it is a Range Extended EV version that goes 1,220 kilometers between fill-ups. The battery is significantly smaller, at 43.7-kWh (220 kilometers of range), but it does have the flexibility thanks to a 1.5-liter engine that acts as an onboard generator. Power to the wheels is exclusively provided by the 176 horsepower (130 kW) front and 245 horsepower (180 kW) rear motor.
Despite looking a bit like the Escape-based Bronco Sport (it’s a unibody crossover), the Bronco New Energy is a large vehicle. It measures some 5,004 meters in length and sports a 2,948-meter wheelbase. At 1,955 mm wide, it’s even wider than a non-Raptor Bronco.
In terms of design, it certainly looks every bit like a Bronco, down to the rear-mounted spare tire. However, there are some clever bits incorporated here like the BRONCO lettering that’s actually lit. The hood also has an functional air duct that reduces wind resistance, improving overall driving range. An exclusive color—Flame Orange—is also available.
Prior to its Chinese market launch, where it’ll stay as an exclusive there for now, the Bronco New Energy comes with LIDAR and 30+ sensors and cameras to help it achieve a high level of autonomous driving. This is surprising as the North American Bronco doesn’t even offer it as an option.
Ford says the Bronco New Energy is designed for younger users who need a car that can do daily commuting needs, but still provide the confidence for go-anywhere weekend activities. To that end, it comes with several funky cabin presets including those made specially for naps, camping, and transporting pets.
Basically, the bare bones and internal of the Ford Bronco is Chinese(Jiangling Motors) ; not Ford.
ReplyDeleteJMC is majority-owned by Ford.
DeleteStill, it's Chinese and made in China; not made in USA by Ford.
DeleteUly, if this Bronco is being manufactured in China, then we can have a much affordable Bronco if it will be offered here in the Phils. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah if you cant beat them, join them to get a slice of the pie and just beat them later if you can.
ReplyDeleteToyota will start making EV's this year in indonesia to battle china's EV.
ReplyDeleteToyota knows EVs are "dirty". They are trying to develop other tech but will take time.
DeleteToyota already builds EVs in China in collaboration with the likes of BYD, GAC, FAW, etc.; but they're only sold in China as well.
DeleteToyota knows what they're doing. BEVs are still in its infancy while HEV and PHEV is more matured that's why Toyota is focusing on those. They're doing the multipathway approach. They're also about to release a new range of downsized engines for the electrification era.
DeleteI have to disagree. BEVs have matured IMMENSELY in the past several years. The fact that you can now choose BEV versions of previously ICE only cars at price parity (same price) proves this. Do you even remember how much more expensive EVs used to be (they weren't sold here yet but you get my point)? And further, if a technology WAS in its infancy then that's perfectly the time to invest in R&D in it because of the lead times to get products out. IF Toyota WAS serious about the tech (they were not because they outright said so) then they should be doing what companies like Honda are doing now which is showing their roadmap for (their home-grown) electrification in the next few years (even this is already seen as pretty late by many in the car community).
DeleteIf BEVs really pickup soon they will have to do what Mazda is doing now which is putting their Mazda looks on a Chinese chassis because they don't have the inhouse tech ready for immediate deployment. Or they keep doing what they're doing now which is using BYD battery tech but using another company's tech limits your engineering capabilities. Companies in Europe (and even Hyundai-Kia) are showing the benefits of a (from the) ground-up BEV architecture in terms of larger interior space (because of the room given up by ICE/drivetrain parts - I mean have you seen the weird/boxy placement of batteries in some Toyota cars?), better handling (because of better designed/lower center of gravity), and most importantly better prices. Only Lexus seems to be putting effort towards BEV tech and Toyota will have to use their tech (maybe at an increased cost to recoup the R&D intended for the more luxury customer base of Lexus) to catch up because right now the 2025 Toyota bZ4X has the same range as the BYD Seagull (the Wigo looking one).