Ford's pocket rocket 4WD destined for Oz?

An exciting pocket rocket 4WD is getting closer to Australia. 

According to Auto News, Ford will begin production of a small SUV bearing the Bronco nameplate in its plant in Spain. 

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Instead it will be smaller than the circa-4500mm long Kuga compact SUV.

It will likely use plug-in hybrid power and will be built in Ford's Spanish factory.

Using the Bronco name is part of Ford' strategy to capitalise on its heritage, according to AutoNews.

The full fruit Bronco is only been available in the United States, launching in 2020. It is built on the same platform as the Ranger ute and Everest 4WD.

The Bronco Sport is based on the Escape SUV, and is more road focused than the tough full-sized Bronco.

The Chinese version of the Bronco comes as either an all-electric or hybrid and is visually distinct from its US counterpart.  

The EV has two electric motors and a 105.4kWh battery, with a range of up 650km, as per the generous CLTC testing system. 

Its plug-in hybrid hybrid variant has dual motors and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, with a 43.7kWh battery, which has a combined range of 1220km (CLTC).

The Spanish-built Bronco will be a plug-in hybrid and is due to be available from 2027.

The European Bronco opens the door to right-hand drive development, with the UK a major market for Ford. If this vehicle is sold int he UK it could lead to an Aussie arrival in the future.

CarsGuide revealed in 2022 that the full-sized Bronco and Bronco Sport looked like a sure thing for Australia.

“(Ford) can do Bronco and Bronco Sport for the globe, for sure,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said. 

“Of course it can be engineered [right-hand drive], just like Mustang, but you have to invest in the capacity and it’s like the first or second inning of building up the Bronco line-up."

Australia is unlikely to get the all-electric or hybrid Bronco found in China.

When CarsGuide contacted Ford Australia for comment on the possibility of an Australian market Bronco earlier this year, they said there was nothing on that front yet. 

“We have no news to share on any plans to offer the Ford Bronco in Australia,” a Ford spokesperson said back in July.