- The Ford Bronco New Energy is a midsize electric crossover made by JMC-Ford specifically for China.
- It will be available in both full EV and EREV (with gas engine) models.
- Pricing for the Bronco New Energy will start at $32,500 in China for the base EREV model.
Ford is an odd duck these days. In the middle Making a huge bid to cancel the F-150 Lightning And other future electric cars, it has released an electrified version of one of its most famous nameplates –But only in China.
The Bronco New Energy aims to go head-to-head with some of the biggest sellers from BYD, Nio, Jetour and others vying for a surprisingly large number of Chinese buyers who have discovered a love of nature and the cars that got them there.
Initial impressions of the China-only Bronco electric car (so far) are trickling in from Chinese media, and things look promising. YouTube channel Telescope got their hands on one, and her take on the manufacturer is finally trying to take China seriously.
For starters, You should know that the new energy Bronco Available as a conventional electric SUV and as an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) with a gas generator feeding the battery. The latter is already a popular engine in China and looks set to take off elsewhere as well. Ford says the next F-150 Lightning will be an EREV with a range of up to 700 miles.
This Bronco is kind of a Ford-based product, but not quite. It’s made in China, and most of its mechanical parts come from Ford’s Chinese joint venture partner, Jiangling Motors, or JMC. For many markets outside the US and Europe, JMC produces some small crossover products bearing the Ford badge and styling, but mostly JMC mechanicals. It’s designed to look very similar to the full-fat Bronco and Bronco Sport available stateside, but it has little in common with the Fords we get here.
Power comes from either a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 43.7 kWh battery in the EREV version, or just a roughly 105 kWh battery in the full EV model. Whichever you choose, you’ll get electric motors turning both axles. For the telescope video, the channel had access to the EREV model.
Photo by: Ford
Telescope, whose real name is Sean Zhou, is generally positive about the Bronco New Energy’s ergonomics and features, particularly its camper-style roof that can be raised. “I would buy this car just because of this roof option; it’s very interesting, and so is the Ford,” he said. Features like these are facilitating the trend in China of buyers (especially young people) camping out their cars, albeit only for a weekend getaway.
Zhou’s time with the Bronco EREV has included some off-road parts. Chu was a little less positive on that front, partly because his time started with the battery in a low state of charge. This meant that the Bronco’s engine was constantly running, trying to keep the battery charged and the car moving. Thus, the Bronco EREV’s output is limited by how quickly it can meet the vehicle’s demand for electric power. A 150-hp engine can’t provide all that power for the car’s 415-hp dual-electric motor setup.
Cho was also frustrated by the Bronco EREV’s improvement on road driving. In EV mode, crossover is generally good, but in Extended Range mode, noise, vibration, and harshness are more noticeable than other models.
“If you have been exposed to… Cars like Li Auto The extended SUV lineup…I consider it world-class and unbeatable, but this (Bronco EREV) is far from that,” he said. However, he remained positive. Li Auto’s gas engine may be almost imperceptible, but the Bronco EREV’s engine isn’t bad.
Photo by: Ford
Overall, Cho thinks the Bronco is a good car, especially for us Americans. He sees the Bronco EREV as a starting point for people who are interested in the standard Bronco (and larger trucks) but don’t like the fuel bills. This car could be the answer, especially since Ford is convinced that its customers are not quite ready to go all-electric.
That’s a nice idea, but I think this assumes the Bronco EREV is coming here. Due to the fact that it is a car developed mostly by Ford’s Chinese joint venture partner, it will be difficult to comply with the new rules regarding software and hardware developed in China. We know Ford wants to give us an EREV soon, but it probably won’t be this one.
On the other hand, the Bronco New Energy shows that Ford is trying hard to try something new in China. Rather than porting over global EV models that don’t resonate, like the Mustang Mach-E, it’s starting from scratch while retaining some of the distinctive things the brand is known for. From what I gathered from Chu’s video, this electrified Bronco appears to have a fighting chance in the highly competitive China market.
And given all the turmoil in its electric vehicle plans lately, that’s a good thing for Ford.
Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
