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Ford Bronco goes electric, still not for Australia

Ford Bronco goes electric, still not for Australia

Canberra Times17-07-2025
An EREV use a combustion engine as an electricity generator to power up the battery, rather than sending drive to the wheels – and, in the Bronco New Energy's case, can also be plugged in for a top up.
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Ford Bronco goes electric, still not for Australia
Ford Bronco goes electric, still not for Australia

The Advertiser

time17-07-2025

  • The Advertiser

Ford Bronco goes electric, still not for Australia

An electric version of the Ford Bronco has been launched in China, but the iconic SUV – electric or otherwise – remains off the cards for Australia for now. Made by Ford and Jiangling Motors, the Ford Bronco New Energy is exclusive to China, where it's scheduled to go on sale later this year, and isn't planned for global markets. An MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) filing – a legal requirement for a manufacturer to sell a vehicle in China – shared by outlets including Motor1 revealed both battery-electric and range-extender (EREV) versions. The name New Energy is appropriate given the Chinese auto industry refers to electrified vehicles – including plug-in hybrids, EVs and EREVs – collectively as 'New Energy Vehicles'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Despite playing a role in the development of the current-generation Ford Bronco – and its sharing of considerable parts with the Ranger and Everest – Ford Australia has no official plans to offer any version of the Bronco here. When asked about the latest status on Bronco for local showrooms, a spokesperson for the automaker told CarExpert it had "no news to share". The Bronco is currently sold in the US where top models run V6 petrol engines, while lower-spec versions use the same 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as the Ranger PHEV sold in Australia but without the plug-in hybrid system. The MIIT China filings reveal the EV Bronco gets a 202kW powertrain using a 105.4kWh LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) 'Blade' battery – from Tesla rival and battery maker, BYD – for electric range of 650km on the CLTC cycle. The EREV produces 180kW and uses a 43.7kWh LFP Blade battery for a claimed 220km electric-only driving range on the CLTC cycle. An EREV use a combustion engine as an electricity generator to power up the battery, rather than sending drive to the wheels – and, in the Bronco New Energy's case, can also be plugged in for a top up. The US Bronco uses the same ladder chassis as the Ford Ranger, but the Bronco New Energy uses a car-like monocoque frame instead, like the smaller Escape-based Bronco Sport sold in the US. While it looks the part, with the same 2950mm wheelbase as the long-wheelbase petrol-powered Bronco, the China model's 5025mm length is 215mm more than the US-market four-door Bronco. That makes it the biggest Bronco yet. It's considerably heavier, too, with the EV Bronco tipping the scales at 2631kg and the EREV at 2511kg – 268kg more than the US Bronco Raptor, the heaviest model offered there. Ford CEO Jim Farley earlier this year said the US automaker would be moving towards EREV powertrains after massive losses on EVs, with the technology moving beyond the brand's China models from 2027. In Australia, Ford dropped the Puma small crossover SUV – including plans for the battery-electric Puma Gen-E – in 2024, while the slow-selling Mustang Mach-E electric SUV remains in showrooms. An electric version of the Transit large commercial van and smaller Transit Custom are also part of the Australian lineup. MORE: Ford to invest in range-extender EVs amid slump in pure-electric vehicle demandMORE: Ford's electric pickup hits yet another stumbling blockMORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: An electric version of the Ford Bronco has been launched in China, but the iconic SUV – electric or otherwise – remains off the cards for Australia for now. Made by Ford and Jiangling Motors, the Ford Bronco New Energy is exclusive to China, where it's scheduled to go on sale later this year, and isn't planned for global markets. An MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) filing – a legal requirement for a manufacturer to sell a vehicle in China – shared by outlets including Motor1 revealed both battery-electric and range-extender (EREV) versions. The name New Energy is appropriate given the Chinese auto industry refers to electrified vehicles – including plug-in hybrids, EVs and EREVs – collectively as 'New Energy Vehicles'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Despite playing a role in the development of the current-generation Ford Bronco – and its sharing of considerable parts with the Ranger and Everest – Ford Australia has no official plans to offer any version of the Bronco here. When asked about the latest status on Bronco for local showrooms, a spokesperson for the automaker told CarExpert it had "no news to share". The Bronco is currently sold in the US where top models run V6 petrol engines, while lower-spec versions use the same 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as the Ranger PHEV sold in Australia but without the plug-in hybrid system. The MIIT China filings reveal the EV Bronco gets a 202kW powertrain using a 105.4kWh LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) 'Blade' battery – from Tesla rival and battery maker, BYD – for electric range of 650km on the CLTC cycle. The EREV produces 180kW and uses a 43.7kWh LFP Blade battery for a claimed 220km electric-only driving range on the CLTC cycle. An EREV use a combustion engine as an electricity generator to power up the battery, rather than sending drive to the wheels – and, in the Bronco New Energy's case, can also be plugged in for a top up. The US Bronco uses the same ladder chassis as the Ford Ranger, but the Bronco New Energy uses a car-like monocoque frame instead, like the smaller Escape-based Bronco Sport sold in the US. While it looks the part, with the same 2950mm wheelbase as the long-wheelbase petrol-powered Bronco, the China model's 5025mm length is 215mm more than the US-market four-door Bronco. That makes it the biggest Bronco yet. It's considerably heavier, too, with the EV Bronco tipping the scales at 2631kg and the EREV at 2511kg – 268kg more than the US Bronco Raptor, the heaviest model offered there. Ford CEO Jim Farley earlier this year said the US automaker would be moving towards EREV powertrains after massive losses on EVs, with the technology moving beyond the brand's China models from 2027. In Australia, Ford dropped the Puma small crossover SUV – including plans for the battery-electric Puma Gen-E – in 2024, while the slow-selling Mustang Mach-E electric SUV remains in showrooms. An electric version of the Transit large commercial van and smaller Transit Custom are also part of the Australian lineup. MORE: Ford to invest in range-extender EVs amid slump in pure-electric vehicle demandMORE: Ford's electric pickup hits yet another stumbling blockMORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: An electric version of the Ford Bronco has been launched in China, but the iconic SUV – electric or otherwise – remains off the cards for Australia for now. Made by Ford and Jiangling Motors, the Ford Bronco New Energy is exclusive to China, where it's scheduled to go on sale later this year, and isn't planned for global markets. An MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) filing – a legal requirement for a manufacturer to sell a vehicle in China – shared by outlets including Motor1 revealed both battery-electric and range-extender (EREV) versions. The name New Energy is appropriate given the Chinese auto industry refers to electrified vehicles – including plug-in hybrids, EVs and EREVs – collectively as 'New Energy Vehicles'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Despite playing a role in the development of the current-generation Ford Bronco – and its sharing of considerable parts with the Ranger and Everest – Ford Australia has no official plans to offer any version of the Bronco here. When asked about the latest status on Bronco for local showrooms, a spokesperson for the automaker told CarExpert it had "no news to share". The Bronco is currently sold in the US where top models run V6 petrol engines, while lower-spec versions use the same 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as the Ranger PHEV sold in Australia but without the plug-in hybrid system. The MIIT China filings reveal the EV Bronco gets a 202kW powertrain using a 105.4kWh LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) 'Blade' battery – from Tesla rival and battery maker, BYD – for electric range of 650km on the CLTC cycle. The EREV produces 180kW and uses a 43.7kWh LFP Blade battery for a claimed 220km electric-only driving range on the CLTC cycle. An EREV use a combustion engine as an electricity generator to power up the battery, rather than sending drive to the wheels – and, in the Bronco New Energy's case, can also be plugged in for a top up. The US Bronco uses the same ladder chassis as the Ford Ranger, but the Bronco New Energy uses a car-like monocoque frame instead, like the smaller Escape-based Bronco Sport sold in the US. While it looks the part, with the same 2950mm wheelbase as the long-wheelbase petrol-powered Bronco, the China model's 5025mm length is 215mm more than the US-market four-door Bronco. That makes it the biggest Bronco yet. It's considerably heavier, too, with the EV Bronco tipping the scales at 2631kg and the EREV at 2511kg – 268kg more than the US Bronco Raptor, the heaviest model offered there. Ford CEO Jim Farley earlier this year said the US automaker would be moving towards EREV powertrains after massive losses on EVs, with the technology moving beyond the brand's China models from 2027. In Australia, Ford dropped the Puma small crossover SUV – including plans for the battery-electric Puma Gen-E – in 2024, while the slow-selling Mustang Mach-E electric SUV remains in showrooms. An electric version of the Transit large commercial van and smaller Transit Custom are also part of the Australian lineup. MORE: Ford to invest in range-extender EVs amid slump in pure-electric vehicle demandMORE: Ford's electric pickup hits yet another stumbling blockMORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from: An electric version of the Ford Bronco has been launched in China, but the iconic SUV – electric or otherwise – remains off the cards for Australia for now. Made by Ford and Jiangling Motors, the Ford Bronco New Energy is exclusive to China, where it's scheduled to go on sale later this year, and isn't planned for global markets. An MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) filing – a legal requirement for a manufacturer to sell a vehicle in China – shared by outlets including Motor1 revealed both battery-electric and range-extender (EREV) versions. The name New Energy is appropriate given the Chinese auto industry refers to electrified vehicles – including plug-in hybrids, EVs and EREVs – collectively as 'New Energy Vehicles'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Despite playing a role in the development of the current-generation Ford Bronco – and its sharing of considerable parts with the Ranger and Everest – Ford Australia has no official plans to offer any version of the Bronco here. When asked about the latest status on Bronco for local showrooms, a spokesperson for the automaker told CarExpert it had "no news to share". The Bronco is currently sold in the US where top models run V6 petrol engines, while lower-spec versions use the same 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as the Ranger PHEV sold in Australia but without the plug-in hybrid system. The MIIT China filings reveal the EV Bronco gets a 202kW powertrain using a 105.4kWh LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) 'Blade' battery – from Tesla rival and battery maker, BYD – for electric range of 650km on the CLTC cycle. The EREV produces 180kW and uses a 43.7kWh LFP Blade battery for a claimed 220km electric-only driving range on the CLTC cycle. An EREV use a combustion engine as an electricity generator to power up the battery, rather than sending drive to the wheels – and, in the Bronco New Energy's case, can also be plugged in for a top up. The US Bronco uses the same ladder chassis as the Ford Ranger, but the Bronco New Energy uses a car-like monocoque frame instead, like the smaller Escape-based Bronco Sport sold in the US. While it looks the part, with the same 2950mm wheelbase as the long-wheelbase petrol-powered Bronco, the China model's 5025mm length is 215mm more than the US-market four-door Bronco. That makes it the biggest Bronco yet. It's considerably heavier, too, with the EV Bronco tipping the scales at 2631kg and the EREV at 2511kg – 268kg more than the US Bronco Raptor, the heaviest model offered there. Ford CEO Jim Farley earlier this year said the US automaker would be moving towards EREV powertrains after massive losses on EVs, with the technology moving beyond the brand's China models from 2027. In Australia, Ford dropped the Puma small crossover SUV – including plans for the battery-electric Puma Gen-E – in 2024, while the slow-selling Mustang Mach-E electric SUV remains in showrooms. An electric version of the Transit large commercial van and smaller Transit Custom are also part of the Australian lineup. MORE: Ford to invest in range-extender EVs amid slump in pure-electric vehicle demandMORE: Ford's electric pickup hits yet another stumbling blockMORE: Everything Ford Content originally sourced from:

Mazda EZ-60: First details about electric SUV revealed
Mazda EZ-60: First details about electric SUV revealed

Perth Now

time27-05-2025

  • Perth Now

Mazda EZ-60: First details about electric SUV revealed

The first technical details about the electric version of the Mazda EZ-60 — expected to be called CX-6e in Europe and other export markets — have been revealed in China. Details submitted by Mazda to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) as part of the car's certification process have published by Car News China. Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show at the end of April, the EZ-60 will go on sale in China later this year. It could be a breakout hit for the brand as it has already garnered 20,000 refundable deposits. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The EZ-60 will be available as a pure electric vehicle (EV) with a 190kW motor driving the rear wheels, and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery of unknown capacity. The same 190kW electric motor is used in the EREV version, and it is solely responsible for driving the wheels. Under the bonnet there's a 72kW 1.5-litre petrol engine that recharges the battery when it runs low, or at the driver's behest. A smaller 31.73kWh LFP battery is used in this model, and is said to have a 160km electric-only driving range under the generous CLTC testing standard. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The EZ-60 is 4850mm long, 1935mm wide, 1620mm tall, and rides on a 2902mm wheelbase. This means it sits somewhere between the 4.74m CX-60 and 5.0m CX-80 in terms of length, and is 45mm wider than both. Boot space is rated at 350 litres with the rear seats, and grows to 2036L when they're folded down. The EZ-60 EV also has a 126L storage area under the bonnet — a 'frunk' if you will, or maybe a 'froot' for us. On the inside there's a huge 26.45-inch 5K display serving as the infotainment touchscreen, as well as a display for the front passenger. Interestingly there's a head up display in place of a more traditional instrumentation screen. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Co-developed with state-owned automaker Changan, the EZ-60 will be built at their joint venture factory. The EZ-60 rides on Changan's EPA1 architecture, which underpins various models from Changan and Deepal, including the S07 SUV that went on sale in Australia at the end of 2024. The same architecture is also used in the Mazda EZ-6 sedan, which will be sold in Europe as the Mazda 6e and is an electrified, rear-wheel drive successor to the departed 6. The 6e has been confirmed for sale in the UK, a right-hand drive market like Australia. There's no word yet if the EZ-60 will be sold on the Continent and the UK, but reports indicate it will happen and the car will be rebadged as the CX-6e. Neither the 6e/EZ-6 or the EZ-60/CX-6e have been confirmed for Australia. The last electric vehicle sold in Australia by Mazda was the quirky MX-30 SUV, which featured reverse-hinged rear doors and cork interior trim. MORE: Everything Mazda

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