There are also whispers that the range-extender version of the Bronco could be making its way here as well.
Having seen the rather healthy appetite for lifestyle off-roaders in Malaysia, there are now murmurs on the grapevine that Ford may be quietly planning to introduce the Bronco locally. But rather than the full-fat, USA-born-and-bred Wrangler rival, what might be coming instead is the upcoming electric version.
Just to clear things up from the start, this upcoming all-electric Bronco is technically a joint product between Ford and Jiangling Motors, developed primarily for the Chinese market. And while it shares the Bronco name with the existing petrol-powered version, this EV (and range-extending) counterpart is actually very much its own thing.
Even if it does wear a vaguely familiar boxy silhouette, this electric Bronco instead rides on a unibody platform rather than the traditional ladder-frame chassis. Among the more noticeable visual deviations from its ICE namesake are LED headlights sealed behind a clear lens à la Bronco Sport, integrated bumpers at both ends, as well as a fixed roof.
Eagle-eyed spotters will also notice modern EV cues like flush-fitting door handles and sleeker fender flares, lending it a more refined appearance. A small hump on the front section of the roof meanwhile houses a LIDAR sensor, something not found on any petrol-powered Bronco to date.
Interestingly for a China-market model, this all-electric Bronco is actually larger than its American counterpart. Measuring 5,025 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,815 mm tall, this electric namesake is 215 mm longer, 35 mm wider, and 32 mm taller, although its 2,950 mm wheelbase remains unchanged.
Powering the all-electric Bronco are dual motors, producing 130 kW at the front and 202 kW at the rear, granting it all-wheel-drive capability. These motors are fed by a massive 105.4 kWh battery, reportedly good for a CLTC-rated range of 640 km.
The range-extended version (REEV), on the other hand, features a 180 kW rear-mounted motor powered by a 43.7 kWh battery, supplemented by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 150 PS. Ford claims an electric-only range of 220 km, with a combined total range of up to 1,220 km.
Unfortunately, there’s no official word yet on how the interior looks. But it’s expected to feature the usual mix of screens integrated within a cabin that leans more towards utilitarian than luxurious. Pricing is also unconfirmed, though early estimates suggest it could retail between 300,000 yuan (around RM 180,000) and 400,000 yuan (around RM 240,000) when it eventually launches in China sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.
If the all-electric Bronco does arrive in Malaysia while EV tax exemptions are still in place, this tailpipe-free lifestyle off-roader could prove to be a surprisingly big hit for the Blue Oval. After all, Ford is currently only offering the Ranger pickup and Everest SUV here, and yet still manages to move a steady number of these macho machines.
Direct all-electric off-roading rivals in Malaysia would include the upcoming Defender-esque iCaur, while those still open to a bit of jungle juice might cross-shop it against the GWM Tank 300. There’s also talk of the PHEV Denza B5 arriving soon, not to mention the official return of the Jeep brand to Malaysia as well.
