Ford has confirmed the Bronco Basecamp will launch in Australia in the second half of 2027, giving Aussie buyers a very different take on the Bronco name.
Unveiled locally as part of Ford’s broader plans for its next chapter in Australia, the Bronco Basecamp is the first electrified Bronco variant. Rather than simply adding camping accessories to an existing SUV, Ford has designed the Basecamp around outdoor travel, with features including a convertible sleeping area, available pop-up roof, integrated warm/cool storage and a rear-mounted camp kitchen setup.
Underneath it all is what Ford calls a “super-hybrid” extended-range powertrain, combining electric drive with a petrol engine used solely as a range extender.
The Bronco Basecamp uses dual electric motors powered by a 49kWh usable battery, paired with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Importantly, Ford says the petrol engine acts solely as an onboard range extender rather than directly driving the wheels.
The result is an estimated combined driving range of between 800 and 900km, potentially addressing one of the bigger concerns around using an electrified vehicle for longer-distance touring. Ford hasn’t yet provided Australian power, torque or detailed performance figures, with full local specifications to be announced closer to launch.
Ford has integrated several camping-focused features directly into the vehicle rather than relying entirely on aftermarket gear.
On Outer Banks models, an electrically operated Pop-Up Lift Roof increases interior headroom and ventilation while creating a more open sleeping area. The interior itself can be converted into a sleeping space and paired with an optional full-length inflatable mattress. Ford says the setup doesn’t require occupants to unload their cargo or rearrange luggage before going to bed.
Outer Banks models also score an integrated 7.5-litre warm/cool storage console, designed to keep food and drinks either chilled or warm. At the back is what Ford calls the Wild Kitchen, built into the rear swing gate with an integrated fold-down table for organising cooking gear.
Potentially one of the Bronco Basecamp’s most useful features for touring is Pro Power Onboard. Ford says the system can supply up to 6.6kW of power from the vehicle’s battery when parked.
That’s enough, according to Ford, to power equipment including induction cooktops, coffee machines, camp lighting, laptops and photography gear directly from the vehicle. For those used to using a traditional dual battery and inverter setup, having that level of power integrated into the vehicle could make for an interesting alternative.
That’s one of the big questions Ford hasn’t answered yet. The company describes the Bronco Basecamp as being designed for adventure and says the wider Bronco family remains broad enough to encompass both dedicated off-roaders and vehicles such as the Basecamp.
However, neither of Ford’s Australian announcements provides detailed information about ground clearance, suspension, wheel travel, water-wading ability, off-road drive modes or other specifications that will ultimately tell us where the Basecamp sits on the off-road spectrum.
What we do know is that the Bronco Basecamp uses a monocoque platform rather than the traditional body-on-frame construction familiar to many Australian 4WD buyers. We’ll have to wait for the Australian specifications before making any calls about how far off the beaten track it will realistically venture.
The Bronco Basecamp was one of several announcements made by Ford. The company says it plans to more than double its coverage of the Australian new-vehicle market to over 60 per cent within three years, with more than 90 per cent of its sales volume expected to come from all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles by the end of 2030.
Ford also announced a new Seven-Year Unlimited Kilometre Warranty for new vehicles retailed from September 1, 2026, provided they are serviced exclusively through the Ford dealer network.
For Australian outdoor enthusiasts, however, the Bronco Basecamp is arguably the most intriguing announcement of the bunch.
The Ford Bronco Basecamp is scheduled to launch in Australia in the second half of 2027. Pricing, Australian specifications, variants and an exact arrival date haven’t been announced yet.
Ford has confirmed the Outer Banks variant will offer the electric Pop-Up Lift Roof and come standard with the integrated 7.5-litre warm/cool storage console, but we’ll need to wait for the complete Australian range and specification list to see exactly what buyers will be able to choose from.
Whether the Bronco Basecamp ultimately appeals to traditional 4WD buyers will likely come down to its off-road credentials, which remain something of an unknown. But with an estimated 800-900km combined range, a built-in sleeping setup and up to 6.6kW of onboard power, Ford is clearly pitching this Bronco at people who want to do more than drive it to work and back.
