The Ford Bronco Hybrid You Really Want Is Coming—Sort Of

• Europe is rumored to get a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Bronco.
• It will share only the name with America’s version of the truck.
• Those familiar with Ford’s plans hint it could be even smaller than the Ford Kuga, but more gruff in appearance.

Ford is getting ready to take one of its most beloved, rugged, America-drenched nameplates and do something that it’s done throughout the years with great success: build an exclusive European-only version.

According to a report from Automotive News, the Ford Bronco is getting ready to make its European debut, but not in the way you might think. It won’t be the big-brother Bronco, nor will it even be the smaller Bronco Sport. Instead, the rumored model is said to sport a hybridized powertrain and also trade in its blue-collar apparel for smaller, more European-styled clothing.

The European model will reportedly be built in Valencia, Spain in the same factory that builds the compact Kuga SUV. A person with knowledge of Ford’s plans revealed that the Euro version will also be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

While it makes for convenient artwork up top, don’t get this confused with the Chinese market Extended Range EV version of the Ford Bronco. This Euro-only model isn’t that. In fact, this model is also said to be even smaller than the Kuga, which is a bit surprising considering how tiny the compact Kuga is in comparison to America’s Bronco lineup.

The naming decision is similar to that of the Mustang Mach-E—using the brand’s American heritage to sell its cars. That’s part of Ford’s bigger strategy to move away from being a “generalist” brand in Europe, according to Automotive News, and the Bronco nameplate is one way to achieve that while still selling a vehicle that Europeans will want to buy.

Speaking of which, the model is rumored to still offer the appearance of a modernized off-roader, which is key for Ford to stay competitive as rivals like the Jeep Compass and Dacia Bigster really dig into the whole rugged look as a marketing tactic in Europe.

Ford has said that it plans to produce a new “multienergy” model in its Valencia factory beginning in 2027. Likely, it means that Ford was referencing its PHEV Bronco, though it declined to disclose specifics for its future product plans when asked by Automotive News.

Ford’s European business is undergoing its own survival saga, especially with the imminent threat of cars from Chinese automakers overseas. Detroit is now relying on marketing and brand heritage to sell cars. That alone might not be enough, though. The automaker is currently shedding thousands of jobs across the EU in an effort to reach profit sustainability.

But a PHEV Bronco made for the urban-chic car buyer? That could be niche enough to make a splash in a time where competition is coming in like a tidal wave.