From Sketch to Starlight: A Customer-Centric “Instant Base Camp” Bridging Heritage and Tomorrow

“This vehicle,” as Max Wolff, Design Director of Ford China and IMG explains, “was developed primarily for this market. The choices we made were based around how Chinese customers live - day to day during the week, then short camping trips or even longer road trips. It’s still very capable off-road, but it’s also designed to appeal to a broader audience.”

Created entirely by the Ford China Design Center and produced locally, the Bronco Basecamp responds directly to the needs of Chinese customers who seek to reconnect with nature, release the pressures of daily life, and enjoy vehicles that double as both reliable urban companions and versatile “instant base camps.” As the first-ever electrified Bronco in 60 years, it blends this customer-driven vision with the rugged DNA that has defined the Bronco since its debut - proving that even in the electric age, adventure is never out of reach.

China’s fast-growing embrace of electrification, coupled with a thriving outdoor culture, made it the perfect place to reinterpret this American legend for a new generation of drivers. The design process was guided by Ford’s Human-Centred Design approach, immersing the team in the lifestyles, aspirations, and outdoor habits of Chinese customers. Research revealed a desire for a vehicle that could be both a dependable urban partner and a weatherproof “instant base camp” - a versatile, comfortable space ready for spontaneous escapes.

From the earliest sketches, the team focused on carrying over the Bronco’s traditional cues while introducing a new design language fit for electrification - rugged yet modern, unmistakably Bronco yet forward-looking in technology and feel.

Where Heritage Meets Electrified Innovation

The Bronco Basecamp’s exterior is a masterclass in balancing tradition with progress. It retains the unmistakable Bronco form: upright stance, strong shoulders, and muscular wheel arches - visual signatures that communicate strength and off-road readiness. These are not nostalgic flourishes; they are functional expressions of Bronco DNA.

For the EV age, the design team introduced cleaner, tauter surfaces, stripping away unnecessary lines to create a modern, muscular aesthetic. At the front, an illuminated BRONCO grille spans the width, connecting updated digital headlamps via a distinctive light bar. Across the front, the Bronco name stretches proudly across the illuminated grille, visually widening the stance while reinforcing the vehicle’s confident presence.

Aerodynamics, a crucial consideration for range and efficiency, are seamlessly integrated into the design. The Aero-Bridge channels air through the front fascia to reduce drag without compromising the Bronco’s rugged proportions. As Wolff notes, Innovations like the Aero-Bridge, unseen before in this segment, allowed designers to preserve the Bronco’s signature boxy silhouette while improving aerodynamic efficiency to meet ambitious range targets.

Where Rugged Capability Meets Everyday Comfort

Step inside the Bronco Basecamp, and the connection to its heritage is immediate. The interior preserves the Bronco family’s classic off-road DNA while introducing a luxurious, futuristic electrified aesthetic. Clean, crisp surfacing and carefully considered spatial strategies create a premium intelligent cockpit that blends technological innovation with everyday driving comfort.

As a choice focused on daily practical scenarios, the MOONPACK theme is built around a low-contrast black-and-grey color scheme, creating an interior space that balances versatility and a tech-forward vibe.

Tailored for progressive outdoor enthusiasts with agile lifestyles, the TRAIL GREEN theme  features a muted winter green hue complemented by dark lower trim. This fresh, natural color palette not only infuses the cabin with trendy vitality but also creates a vibrant, lively atmosphere

Crafted to turn heads with its visually striking color design, the MARS RUNNER theme brings the iconic "Flare Orange" exterior hero color into the cabin, creating a high-contrast interior style. The bold, vivid color not only conveys a confident and bold attitude but also highlights the user’s refined taste.

The CANYON BLITZ theme draws inspiration from the Baja racing scene, featuring a classic tan-and-black color combination accented by eye-catching orange details. This robust color pairing not only echoes the vehicle’s performance DNA but also ignites consumers’ desire to go out to the wild.

“This is the most premium Bronco interior ever,” says Wolff. “We wanted to execute familiar graphics, shapes, and key visuals, but change the material techniques - bringing in softer, more tactile finishes while keeping everything durable and easy to clean.”