Ford’s Bronco is headed our way, but probably not the one we wanted — namely the Raptor.
It’s a distilled version, with a hybrid powertrain that’s built in China.
The Basecamp is due here in another 12 months, sooner if they can get it.
Why now? Why has a vehicle engineeed only for left-hand drive suddenly become possible?
A look at the sales charts and the limited number of vehicles that Ford currently offers here is an indicator.
The list of vehicles that Ford no longer offers is longer than the list of those that it does.
Ranger, Everest, F150, Transit, Mustang and Mustang Mach-E remain.
Sales are down almost 10 per cent year to date and the only model it has in the top 10 sellers is Ranger.
The only brands with a green arrow against their name are Chinese, with BYD now the number two selling brand in Australia behind Toyota.
What to do? Picture the sales meeting. Tentatively, someone puts up a hand and asks in a quiet voice — what about Bronco?
There’s a brief pause. Then the boss breaks into a grin and, while relieved the others begin to smile too.
Yes, says someone else. We can get it from China (don’t tell Donald).
Ford has confirmed that both Australia and New Zealand will get the Chinese-built Bronco Basecamp, with a range-extender hybrid — in the second half of 2027.
It’s built on a heavily modified version of Ford’s global T6 platform, the same platform that underpins the wildly popular Ranger utility and sibling the Everest SUV — both of which are built in left-and right-hand drive.
Launched in 2021 after a 25-year hiatus, the sixth generation Bronco features “Bronco” and a “bucking horse” badges on the tailgate and steering wheel, instead of the Blue Oval.
Available in two- and four-door versions, it is a direct competitor for the Jeep Wrangler.
The Chinese Bronco went on sale in January 2024, available only as a four-door with a 2.3-litre Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engine.
Ford says the latest Bronco Basecamp has been designed specifically for a new breed of outdoor enthusiasts, such as trail runners, gravel cyclists, wild swimmers, fly fishers, and stargazers, who want to seamlessly slip into nature and escape the rat race.
“When we looked at how Aussies and Kiwis spend their time outdoors, the national parks, the coastal trails, and the distances they travel, the fit was immediate,” Ford’s marketing director Ambrose Henderson said.
“Outdoor life here isn’t a trend, it’s just life. Bronco Basecamp was almost purpose-built for these customers.”
To support long-distance travel, Bronco Basecamp is fitted with a ‘super-hybrid’ powertrain.
That means two electric motors and a biggish 49kWh battery.
There’s also a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, but its job is to act solely as range extender, recharging the battery — it does not drive the wheels.
Combined estimated driving range is a claimed 800 to 900km.
When camped the Bronco becomes an off-grid power source, with 6.6kW of vehicle to load power, enough to power induction cooktops, coffee machines, high-end photography gear, camp lights, and laptop setups directly from the vehicle’s battery.
Unlike traditional SUVs that rely on bulky, bolt-on aftermarket accessories, Basecamp integrates the outdoor lifestyle directly into its DNA.
The vehicle is built around three core lifestyle-enabling features:
- At the touch of a button, on Outer Banks models only, the electric Pop-Up Lift Roof to increase interior headroom, maximise air circulation, and create an instant, open-air connection to the surrounding environment. The interior converts into a sleeping space. When paired with the available custom-fit, full-length inflatable mattress (additional cost accessory), it creates a premium, secure overnight shelter without requiring passengers to unload cargo or rearrange luggage.
- An integrated 7.5L warm/cool storage console (standard on Outer Banks only) is built directly into the centre console to keep drinks and trail snacks either cool or warm.
- The Wild Kitchen, built into the rear swing gate, features an integrated fold-down table to organise your cooking gear with Pro Power Onboard.
No word on pricing yet and not sure what to make of the “Outer Banks” references (a different model).
Expect more detail closer to launch. Those interested can register for updates here.
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