Ford is fighting back. After dramatically shrinking its UK and European line-up by killing off heavyweights like the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, the American giant has officially detailed a massive product onslaught designed to win back the sales charts—and EVs are sitting right at the heart of it.
The company has confirmed it will launch five new models over the next four years targeting Europe’s highly competitive B- and C-segments. While Ford’s recent strategy relied on building large electric SUVs (like the Explorer and Capri) on Volkswagen platforms, this new chapter sees Ford branching out into smaller, more affordable electric cars by partnering with Renault.
The Electric ‘Fiesta’ Resurrection?
For EV fans and UK drivers mourning the loss of the nation’s favourite supermini, the most exciting news is a planned small electric hatchback due to arrive around 2028.
The new EV will be built in collaboration with Renault, utilising the French brand’s highly acclaimed RGMP Small platform (the architecture underneath the retro Renault 5 and upcoming Nissan Micra). Crucially, Ford’s passenger car chief, Christian Weingärtner, insists that while the invisible bits under the floor—like the charging systems—will be shared, everything the driver sees, touches, and feels will be pure Ford.
The car will feature “rally-led” driving dynamics, with bespoke suspension tuning, dampers, and styling. While Ford hasn’t officially confirmed if it will wear the iconic ‘Fiesta’ badge, executives admit they are acutely aware of the power and heritage behind the nameplate.
A Mini-Bronco and Renault Crossovers
Alongside the small electric hatch, Ford’s five-car assault includes:
- A “Multi-Energy” Mini-Bronco: A rugged, compact SUV styled after the smash-hit US off-roader. It will be built in Valencia from 2028 and will feature electrified powertrains.
- A Renault-Based Electric Crossover: Joining the hatchback on Renault’s small car platform, this will give Ford a highly competitive, smaller electric crossover to sit beneath the Explorer.
- Two Plug-In Hybrid Crossovers: Arriving before 2029, these “rally-bred” models are tipped to be built in collaboration with Chinese automotive giant Geely (owners of Volvo and Polestar), offering long-range plug-in hybrid utility.
Doubling Down on “Fun to Drive”
Recognising that the modern electric car market is increasingly crowded with spec-sheet clones and oversized touchscreens, Ford is looking to its rich heritage to stand out. The brand is promising that every single one of these new cars will focus heavily on engagement and ride quality.
“If the only reason to buy a car is price, then heritage matters not at all,” Weingärtner noted. “Driving dynamics is something Ford has traditionally been really good at, and we’ll double down on this.”
With the current Ford Puma also tipped for a future shake-up, Ford’s upcoming line-up looks leaner, lighter, and far more electric. Stay tuned to Daily Waffle as more technical specs and official designs emerge.
Battery Options & Range
Renault currently scales the platform using two highly compact, weight-optimised lithium-ion battery packs:
- “Urban-Range” Pack: 40 kWh usable capacity. On the WLTP cycle, this delivers up to 194 miles of range.
- “Comfort-Range” Pack: 52 kWh usable capacity. This extends the platform’s WLTP range up to 250 miles.
Motor Outputs
The platform natively mounts the electric motor on the front axle (front-wheel drive). It supports three distinct power outputs, though Ford is highly likely to opt for the top-tier version to maintain its “rally-bred” performance promises:
- 95 hp (70 kW)
- 120 hp (90 kW)
- 150 hp (110 kW) – This top-end spec gives the Renault 5 a 0-62 mph time of under 8 seconds.
Charging Speeds & V2G Tech
- DC Fast Charging: The platform tops out at 100 kW DC for the 52 kWh battery and 80 kW DC for the 40 kWh battery. Both can manage a 15% to 80% top-up in roughly 30 to 31 minutes.
- AC Charging: It comes standard with an 11 kW AC onboard charger.
- Bi-directional Charging (V2G/V2L): A massive feature of this platform is its integrated Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. It allows the car to feed power back into the grid to save money on energy bills, or power external 240V appliances (like a laptop or camping gear) straight from the charging port.
The “Secret Sauce” Ford Wants: The Multi-Link Rear Axle
Aside from the battery stats, the major reason Ford targeted this specific platform is its chassis design. Unlike most cheap, small EVs that use a basic twist-beam rear suspension to save money, Renault engineered this platform with a premium multi-link rear axle.
This allows for incredibly sharp handling, minimal body roll, and a composed ride—the exact sort of nimble, fun-to-drive characteristics Ford needs if it wants to build a spiritual successor to the Fiesta ST.