Ford’s first electrified Bronco will arrive here in the second half of 2027, with a range-extender powertrain and factory-integrated camping features.
Ford has confirmed that the Bronco nameplate is finally heading to New Zealand, although not in the form many might have expected. Rather than the body-on-frame, petrol-powered Bronco sold in North America, the local model will be the Bronco Basecamp: a five-seat, electrified SUV with a range-extender hybrid powertrain and a strong focus on camping and outdoor use.
New Zealand arrivals are currently scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027. Ford says local specifications, pricing, variants and exact timing will be announced closer to launch.
Range-Extender Powertrain
The Bronco Basecamp uses what Ford calls a super-hybrid powertrain. In practical terms, it is driven by two electric motors using energy from a usable 49kWh battery, while a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acts only as an on-board generator. The petrol engine does not mechanically drive the wheels.
Ford’s preliminary estimate for combined driving range is between 800km and 900km on a full charge and with the range extender in play. As with all early range claims, those figures remain subject to final testing before the vehicle goes on sale.
Built Around Camping
The Basecamp name is more than a badge. Ford has built several camping-focused features into the vehicle rather than treating them as aftermarket additions. On Outer Banks models, an electric pop-up lift roof is available to increase cabin headroom and improve airflow when parked. The interior can also be converted into a sleeping space when paired with Ford’s custom-fit inflatable mattress, which will be an extra-cost accessory.
There is also a 7.5-litre warm/cool storage console on Outer Banks models, designed to keep drinks and food either chilled or warm while travelling. At the rear, Ford has fitted a fold-down table into the swing gate, marketed as the Wild Kitchen, providing a built-in surface for camp cooking or organising gear.
Vehicle-to-Load Power
When parked, the Bronco Basecamp can also operate as a mobile power source. Ford says Pro Power Onboard can provide up to 6.6kW of output, enough for equipment such as induction cooktops, coffee machines, camera gear, camp lights or laptops, depending on load and battery state.
The system has limits: the interior outlet is rated at 2.3kW, while the exterior outlet can deliver up to 6.6kW when the interior port is not in use. Using external power will reduce available battery charge, and some external outlet use requires an accessory adaptor.
What We Still Don’t Know
Ford has not yet confirmed New Zealand pricing, the full local variant line-up, final specifications, towing capacity, or detailed performance figures. Those details are expected closer to the official launch window in 2027.
For now, the Bronco Basecamp looks less like a direct replacement for the American Bronco and more like a separate product aimed at customers who want electric driving, long-distance flexibility and factory-integrated camping features in one vehicle. Whether that mix lands with Kiwi buyers will depend heavily on price, final specification and how the range-extender setup performs in local conditions.
