There Will be a Ford Bronco Hybrid
As previously reported, the resurrected Ford Bronco will not go on sale before the end of 2020. That gives the automaker plenty of time to create even more buzz around the vehicle than there already is.
We know that the Bronco will have removable door and roof panels and be fully customizable just like its main competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. That means a choice of two- and four-door variants, plus a host of off-roading accessories to make it a genuine adventure machine.
- Also: New 2020 Escape Not Rugged Enough? Wait for the “Baby Bronco”
- Also: The Ford Bronco Will Have a Removable Roof and Doors
And for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint while crushing trails, blowing sand pits and doing other shenanigans with nature, there will be a Bronco Hybrid, as well, Ford CEO Jim Hackett confirmed late last week during the company’s annual shareholder meeting.
Did you see that one coming? Maybe. After all, Ford has an $11 billion USD plan to launch 40 electrified vehicles by 2022, backed by studies that show one in five younger buyers would consider an electric vehicle for their next purchase.
Unsurprisingly, Hackett did not provide specific details about the hybrid powertrain. Heck, even the engines for the regular Bronco remain a mystery at this point, although a selection of EcoBoost units—including a 2.3-litre four-cylinder and 2.7-litre V6—is highly likely.
Will it be more like the upcoming Ford Explorer Hybrid, which combines a 3.3-litre V6 with an electric motor to deliver 318 net horsepower, or the new Ford Escape Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid, which are built around a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and produce 198 and 209 horsepower, respectively?
Since Ford is also planning a smaller Bronco model (possibly called “Bronco Scout” or just “Scout” based on trademark applications) that will slot between the EcoSport and Escape, we’re fully counting on the bigger hybrid powertrain for the Bronco Hybrid. If such is the case, expect a 10-speed transmission to be part of the package instead of a CVT (just writing these three letters makes us cringe).
