Ford's CEO Confirms That a Hybrid Version of the Bronco and Other Models Are in the Works
Posted by Anchor_Aways@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 88 comments
African-Rain-Blesser@reddit
They'd probably need to develop a new hybrid powertrain if they're aiming for MPGs. The existing 2.5L for the C2 platform is way too underpowered for something as heavy as a Bronco, and the 3.5TT hybrid in the F150 is more for extra performance than it is for MPGs. They'd probably need something along the same vein as the Land Cruiser's 2.4T hybrid.
shawizkid@reddit
I don’t get why they don’t use the 2.7 in the f-150 powerboost.
ducky21@reddit
Because then it has the same problem the 2.7L does: you're constantly in boost while towing, and the entire marketing push about the PowerBoost has been its towing capacity.
Selling a hybrid with similar MPG to the ICE trucks but with better tow rating is fine. Selling a hybrid with worse MPG to the ICE (hybrid does absolutely nothing towing at 70 MPH) and worse tow rating than the 5.0L is a recipe for a pointless product. Why would anyone pick that?
shawizkid@reddit
What?
The 3.5pb way outperforms the 3.5eb in terms of fuel economy.
And the 2.7eb outperforms the 3.5eb in terms of fuel economy.
ducky21@reddit
I see you linked Fuelly data in another comment. You have completely ignored my point, because you are so eager to be correct, where I qualified my statement with "while towing."
I don't give a fuck what an unladen truck does; as far as I'm concerned, every mile in an unloaded truck is a mile that could have been spent in something more efficient to begin with.
I wanted to specifically focus on performance while towing, because that's what Ford focuses on in the PowerBoost's marketing materials.
shawizkid@reddit
Wow. Didn’t know you’d react to my comment so emotionally.
Anyway. You mean marketing material like this? the one that yes, does boast about towing capacity AND fuel economy / range?
Given you’re an automotive enthusiast and on this sub, I imagine you realize there’s a lot more to towing capacity beyond power numbers. Because I’m sure you’re already aware that the 3.5eb out-toes the 3.5pb.
BruteNugz@reddit
I’m not the person you responded to but you’re right about less towing. It’s because the battery’s/motor added weight to the same suspension, frame, and brakes. My wife’s explorer has the 3.5 TT. She’s due for an upgrade and was thinking a Denali since they switched the explorer to 3.0TT and the engine doesn’t seem as aggressive when I test drove it. Saying far away from that GM 6.2 tho. Does anyone know how the newer 3.0TT holds up?
daddudee@reddit
The 3.0TT is definitely faster than the previous gen 3.5.
BruteNugz@reddit
I know it is faster, I saw the numbers! What I was trying to say was it didn’t feel as raw or throaty in the test drive. I was just wondering what people thought about reliability on the next gen motor.
onlyranchmefries@reddit
3.0 is a nano engine. Same block as the 2.7 just aluminum instead of cgi. Semi closed deck. Definitely a more robust design than the 3.5. I'd be much more worried about transmission longevity than engine.
shawizkid@reddit
Funny you should ask. My wife has a 22 explorer st. I’d describe it as “sneaky” fast. It doesn’t feel that quick. But whenever I put my foot into it for a second or two and the lift and check the speedo, I think “oh shit, I shouldn’t be going this fast!”
It’s been a good vehicle. And as a current (and longtime) GM truck owner, I’d say I’d trust it over anything the general is offering today.
Pitiful-Mobile-3144@reddit
Plus the Bronco (and Jeep/4runner) aren’t really made to tow, the wheelbase and suspension setup aren’t designed for heavy towing like a truck. You’d lose the MPG and gain none of the benefits
skorps@reddit
Yeah my 2.7 wildtrak has a pitiful tow rating. 3500lbs i think
Pitiful-Mobile-3144@reddit
Same as my jeep, like 3,500lbs. Payload isn’t great either
Metal_LinksV2@reddit
Having owned both a 2.7 and now a 3.5 F150, they get the same MPG at highway speeds(65-85 around me). The 2.7 only got better mileage if you set the cruise to 55(the top mount oil filter was also nice)
ducky21@reddit
Is that while unloaded or loaded/towing? I worded my comment very precisely.
shawizkid@reddit
That maybe true. I can’t not comment.
But the average fuel economy in real world use, the 2.7 vastly outperforms the 3.5 over large datasets.
https://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150?engineconfig_id=102&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=
TopHatTony11@reddit
Powerboost is a 3.5
shawizkid@reddit
I’m aware. Which is what I’m wondering?
Option420s@reddit
The 2.5 would be pretty sweet in the bronco sport at least
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Yeah, I honestly don't understand why it doesn't have the 2.5 at this point. The Maverick built in the same plant on the same platform has had it since 2021. And the Escape for even longer.
jakeuten@reddit
I would assume either packaging or capacity. For awhile they had extremely long wait times for the hybrid Maverick (which I'm sure you're aware of). The Bronco Sport is likely more popular with actual consumers (whereas the Escape is probably more fleet biased sales-wise) and I think that would lead to a lot of customers going for a hybrid Bronco Sport.
The powertrain is also extremely efficient in town, I have no doubt it would exceed the efficiency of everything but the 26 RAV4.
TenguBlade@reddit
It’s a capacity thing - specifically, battery production capacity. Ford has been trying to allocate batteries to EV production first, and the cancellation of the Lightning wasn’t really pre-planned.
jakeuten@reddit
It's a great powertrain. I wouldn't trade it for either EB option.
African-Rain-Blesser@reddit
That should be a no brainer since it's the same C2 platform
sponge_welder@reddit
I desperately want a transit connect with the 2.5 hybrid - basically a Honda element with good gas mileage
Shmokesshweed@reddit
They're supposedly working on it.
BayLAGOON@reddit
The Land Cruiser 2.4T is a hybrid in the same sense as the 3.5 Powerboost, less priority on efficiency and more focus on power, with the same engine-electric motor-transmission sandwich setup.
No idea how this is going to work for the Bronco, unless they adjust the tuning on the 3.5PB to not outgun the Bronco Raptor, or parts bin the 3.3 from the Explorer Hybrid.
elan_alan@reddit
Idk man. I had the Powerboost F150 and I would haul ass without a care in the world and still get about 21-22 mpg. I could hypermile in the city and get 28-30 mpg. I could get 25-26 on the highway. And this is from a 6000lbs brick.
Have you seen the typical bronco mpg!? It’s hilarious bad.
scoobyless@reddit
There’s a 2.0T hybrid in the Nautilus, but it probably needs to be reworked to a longitudinal application. Maybe reintroduction of the 3.3 in the Explorer HEV or the 3.0TT from the Aviator PHEV?
Loki240SX@reddit
The bigger issue is lack of viable hybrid transmission for the Bronco platform.
flapsmcgee@reddit
The explorer and F-150 both have hybrids with 10 speed transmissions...
TheDarkRider@reddit
Those aren’t really off road applications like the bronco I don’t know if that transfer case could handle articulation the bronco suspension goes though
henchman171@reddit
Toyota just does electric only in rear
RyanOfTheVille@reddit
On the land cruiser? Are you sure?
henchman171@reddit
Sorry. I was thinking Highlander RAV4 Sienna. I forgot about the true off roaders
Fordfanatic2025@reddit
Agreed, the 2.5 is reliable as fuck, just never level, love mine. But it wouldn't be a good fit for something as heavy as a bronco.
AdventurousDress576@reddit
The Ranger is available as a plugin Hybrid and is built on the same platform.
jeffh19@reddit
I skimmed the post and I saw the last line say “Cruiser’s 2.4T…” and had a mini panic attack
Shmokesshweed@reddit
It might be similar to the Ranger PHEV setup in other markets with a 1-2 kwh battery.
diethyl2o@reddit
I’d love a Bronco Sport hybrid with 38+ MPG and a spare tire.
HurricaneCat5@reddit
The bronco in china is full EV.. why would I want the worst of both worlds?
SavageryRox@reddit
Bronco Sport* is full EV in China.
This thread is about the full-size Bronco.
completely different vehicles.
HurricaneCat5@reddit
Full size bronco is electric too
SavageryRox@reddit
source? A full size EV Bronco for China doesn't seem to exist on the Internet.
Raiderx87@reddit
A quick Google search shows China's version is actually bigger than the US Bronco.
"Measuring in at 77.0 inches wide and 197.0 inches long, with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, the Bronco EV is massive compared to its ICE counterparts. The Bronco Sport is just 74.3 inches wide and 172.7 inches long, by comparison. The bigger Bronco has a matching wheelbase, but it’s still only 75.9 inches wide and 189.4 inches long. In fact, the new Bronco EV is about as large as a three-row Kia EV9."
https://www.motor1.com/news/766109/ford-bronco-ev-china/
SavageryRox@reddit
holy lack of trading comprehension.
We are talking about offroad oriented SUVs. The version China gets is not a Wrangler or 4runner competitor.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
The Chinese EV Bronco is full size but it’s completely unrelated to the full size USDM Bronco
SavageryRox@reddit
We mean the BOF off-road oriented Bronco that competes with the 4Runner and Wrangler. the Bronco they get in China isn't even close.
kstetter@reddit
Bronco New Energy* is full EV in China.
Hnry_Dvd_Thr_Awy@reddit
This is such an exhausting take that is only popular on Reddit.
HurricaneCat5@reddit
Elaborate please
Hnry_Dvd_Thr_Awy@reddit
It's simply not "the worst of both worlds" as an end user.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Chinese Bronco is just a reshape Territory, so it’s their Bronco Sport.
Anyway, consider America is behind in EV world, making full EV version Bronco for America is not a good business decision.
HurricaneCat5@reddit
There hasn’t been a good business decision from legacy automakers in 40 years..
HurricaneCat5@reddit
So there’s a full size “bronco” EV in china?
Gobbledygooker316@reddit
Interesting. I own a Bronco and am approaching the end of its warranty, and I’ve been eyeing a GX 550 for my next car (waiting for it to get within my budget) but a hybrid Bronco might convince me to wait.
Apfaehler22@reddit
EREV system would be kinda cool. New f150 is in development right now too. But bronco shares platforms with the ranger so probably not.
randeus@reddit
I want to finally see a Hybrid Coyote car tbh.
Riverrattpei@reddit
They had a patent back in 2019 for a 5.0 with electric motors bolted to the side of it for AWD
But I'm 95% sure that was killed alongside the CD6 Mustang, unless they bring it back for that rumoured Mustang Sedan
avoidhugeships@reddit
Gross
SmokinTires@reddit
How about the Coyote in the Bronco, Explorer, and the Expedition?
marksocials97@reddit
Put a 5.0 in the Explorer ST !
MechMeister@reddit
A 30mpg 2 door bronco hybrid would be incredible.
trackdaybruh@reddit
Won’t be possible with Bronco’s aerodynamics
narwhal_breeder@reddit
I don’t think that’s realistic. In non-EV mode, the 4xe can only manage 20mpg combined. I think 25mpg combined would be a reasonable expectation, heavily loaded towards city mileage while still getting abysmal highway.
MechMeister@reddit
The 4xe was a terrible design with a motor sandwiched in the bell housing and a belt driven 48v motor. Ford can most certainly do better, especially a REV
Captain_Alaska@reddit
That would be even less efficient.
African-Rain-Blesser@reddit
Doesn't the LC also put the electric motor into the bell housing? Is there a way to still provide a mechanical 4WD setup without doing that?
CorrectCombination11@reddit
Yup, the traction motor is behind the engine and in front of the transmission. I get 30 MPG on the highway when it's warm out.
narwhal_breeder@reddit
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect Tacoma hybrid figures.
peakdecline@reddit
There's zero chance Ford does an EREV for the Bronco application. There's simply no room in the vehicle to do it. Hell I doubt they even do a 2-door regular hybrid Bronco... even a small battery pack like you find in the F-150 Powerboost has no place to go in a 2-door Bronco.
Your hopes are just far too optimistic, frankly. I would expect any hybrid going into the Bronco to be a similar design to how we see with the other BOF hybrids including Ford's own. Where the motor is indeed sandwiched between the transmission and engine.
Its simply the best packaging option and it works with the existing 4WD systems without massive redesign work.
FentmaxxerActual@reddit
Only so much you can do with all that mass, aerodynamics of a brick shithouse, and massive tires. I'd be surprised if it breaks 22mpg combined.
Even Toyota, the master of hybrids, struggles to get meaningful efficiency gains out of their BoF truck/SUV hybrids. The chassis themselves are just too inefficient.
Plastic_Willow734@reddit
Gonna be hard to beat the box shape, it’ll be hybrid but get 2 more combined mpg like the Tacoma or Jeep 4xE. Great if your commute is just across town though
t0dax@reddit
Only $90k msrp plus $30k dealer markup! My dealer said as long as I can pay $899/month for the next 18 years I can afford it!
AftermaThXCVII@reddit
I'd still love a hybrid ecoboost Mustang. Having even better mpg in a sporty car would appeal to a lot more people I'd bet, especially with higher gas prices globally at the moment.
AddressRadiant8768@reddit
industry_insider
rockinadios@reddit
Just let me plug in a Maverick and get like 50 miles of electric. I'd do anything
daxelkurtz@reddit
Most of my driving is <20mi roundtrip. Give me a PHEV offroader with that range, and I don't really care that it gets <20mpg the rest of the time.
(I would own a 4xe if it wasn't a 4xe)
DrMacintosh01@reddit
Ford wonders why sales are down and yet they keep making products like the Bronco. Ford doesn't even sell a car, and their cheapest vehicle is over $30,000. Nobody can afford a Ford! Ford could revive an economy car, like the Taurus, start it at like $27-28k and offer a hybrid option. But no they can only sell USVs and Crossovers.
djsilentmobius@reddit
Hybrid Flex please
phxees@reddit
Only oil companies are excited about new hybrids.
bippos@reddit
Why do anyone thrust ford or it’s ceo anymore? Guy has no credibility
kilertree@reddit
If they do a pick pick up, I hope their is a 2dr.
Drzhivago138@reddit
Currently the hybrid F-150 is limited to crew cabs. It's a combination of needing cabin space under the rear seats for the batteries, and the crew cab being 90+% of sales anyway.
FeemBleem@reddit
Wasn’t there something about some UAW-Ford deal that included making a hybrid Navigator and Expedition a few years ago?
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/11/fords-uaw-agreement-calls-for-new-electric-van-and-truck-hybrid-navigator-and-expedition/
Drzhivago138@reddit
Apparently the Expedition/Navigator hybrid is slated for the mid-cycle refresh.
TripleShotPls@reddit
I mean, about time.