It has been confirmed that the upcoming 2020 Ford Bronco will certainly have a hybrid powertrain as an available option.
Ford is starting to catch up with the electric future. After announcing the new Ford Explorer will arrive with a hybrid option and also unveiling the Lincoln Aviator’s equally electrified powertrain, we now know that the Ford Bronco will also come with a hybridized motor when it eventually arrives next year.
According to Automotive News correspondent Michael Martinez who was reporting from a Ford investor meeting, CEO Jim Hackett confirmed in very clear terms that when the Bronco arrives it’ll be bringing a hybrid trim with it.
Just to confirm, Autoblog reached out to Ford and received an emailed response that didn’t quite confirm Hackett’s words, but came very close:
"We are on track to electrify our most popular vehicles, including launching the all-new Ford Explorer and Ford Escape hybrids this year along with the new F-150 hybrid in 2020. We also are on track to launch our all-new, all-electric Mustang-inspired SUV next year. We'll have more news to share about additional electric and hybrid vehicles in North America and globally later this year."
As for just what sort of hybrid powertrain we’ll be in store for on the Bronco, it seems most likely we’ll get a version of the same hybrid system on the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. That’ll be a 3.0-L twin-turbo V6 mated to an electric motor for a combined 450 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. We might also get the Explorer’s slightly less spectacular 3.3-L V6 hybrid, which should put out over 400 hp as well.
Rumors are stating that the Bronco will come with Ford’s 10-speed automatic or 7-speed manual as transmission options and also come with a pair of solid axles for greater off-road articulation. It’ll also have a cool “retro” design, for anyone who’s into that.
The Bronco and Ranger are said to share a platform, so perhaps those hybrid powertrains will find their way to the Ranger eventually. One can dream.