Australia has long been a haven for off-road enthusiasts, with vehicles like the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor commanding fierce loyalty from buyers. Yet one iconic 4×4 has conspicuously been missing from local showrooms: the Ford Bronco. That could soon change—but don’t expect it to look or drive quite like the Bronco you know from the US.
Ford appears poised to introduce a new Bronco variant designed specifically for markets outside North America, including Australia. Known in China as the Bronco Basecamp—or Bronco New Energy—this model emerges from Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC). Its styling feels like a cross between the rugged, full-size American Bronco and the compact Bronco Sport, but it’s actually larger than both.
A notable change for Australian buyers is that the Bronco Basecamp will be built in right-hand drive, with exports planned not just for Australia, but also for Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America, according to reports from Wheelsboy.
Under the skin, the differences continue. While the US Bronco sits on a traditional ladder-frame chassis, the Chinese model uses a unibody construction. That may limit its ability in extreme off-road conditions, but it should provide a more comfortable and composed ride on sealed roads—a potential selling point for buyers seeking rugged style without compromising daily usability.
The Bronco Basecamp is a large vehicle by any measure, stretching 5,025 mm (just over 197 inches) in length—101 mm longer than the Ford Everest currently sold in Australia. This combination of size and unibody construction suggests Ford is targeting a new segment: drivers who want the adventurous aesthetic of a 4×4, but with family-friendly dynamics and more forgiving handling.
Powertrain options are particularly compelling. The all-electric Bronco Basecamp packs a 105.4 kWh battery and dual electric motors producing a combined 445 hp and 424 lb-ft (575 Nm) of torque. That makes it more powerful than the ICE-powered Bronco Raptor in terms of horsepower and nearly matches its torque.
In China, Ford also offers a range-extender version featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 43.7 kWh battery. This setup delivers 416 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) while offering up to 220 km (137 miles) of electric-only range.
Whether both powertrains will make it to Australia remains unclear. Even if Ford limits the lineup, the Bronco Basecamp presents a fresh alternative for local buyers—one that blends the Bronco’s iconic off-road DNA with modern electric technology and everyday usability. It’s not the American Bronco many have been dreaming of, but it could be the next best thing for those craving a large, adventurous SUV with a distinctly global twist.
Source: Ford