2019 Mustang Mach-E Kicks Off Ford鈥檚 EV Revolution

2019 Mustang Mach-E Kicks Off Ford鈥檚 EV Revolution

LOS ANGELES, California鈥擳he launch of an electric Mustang in the form of a crossover is another proof that revolutions are anything but quiet. More than 50 years after the spectacular debut of the original Mustang, here comes an all-new, radically different version powered by either a single- or dual-motor system. The godfather of all pony cars and a few muscle cars has legions of purists and die-hard enthusiasts that must be completely losing their minds right about now. This Electric Ford Mustang Does Burnouts! The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E pays tribute to Mach 1 special editions of the first Mustang while riding on a brand new architecture entirely dedicated to electric vehicles. The Blue Oval company decided to build on the success of one of its icons by creating an all-new variant full of advanced technologies, some of which are unprecedented. The first big move was to put the primary motor in the rear, namely a 210-kW (282-hp) unit, and combine it with a smaller 50-kW (67-hp) motor up front鈥攖he result being an all-wheel drive powertrain.

The motors draw energy from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery developed by Ford and manufactured by LG Chem. The standard battery boasts 288 cells and a capacity of 75.7 kWh, while the long-range variant has 376 cells and a capacity of 98.8 kWh. An extended wheelbase allowed engineers to fit the battery under the floor to maximize interior room and stability on the road. The battery is also said to improve chassis rigidity even though it鈥檚 theoretically not a structural component. As far as styling goes, designers raised the hood and front fenders while adding muscle to the rear fenders to make the Mustang Mach-E look like a sporty crossover. The front grille is closed and contoured in the same way as other Ford utility vehicles. In the middle of it is the logo of a galloping horse that looks a bit lost. The triple-slat taillights in the rear are the only other design cues that were clearly borrowed from the Mustang.

The Mach-E鈥檚 profile, meanwhile, is somewhat reminiscent of the new 2020 Escape. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is slightly longer, not quite as wide and exactly the same length as the Porsche Macan. That being said, its most direct competitors will be the future Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID. There will be five Mach-E models to choose from, with equipment and performance levels increasing accordingly: Select, Premium, First Edition, California Route 1 and GT Performance Edition. The last model to hit the market will be the GT Performance Edition in the spring of 2021. It promises to deliver 459 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque, sending drivers from 0-100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. No other Mustang is quicker than that, by the way. An excellent set of magnetically variable Magneride dampers, Brembo brakes with red-painted callipers and 20-inch alloy wheels shod in performance tires will enhance handling. Range is estimated at 375 kilometres.

The base Select and Premium models will be available with either RWD or AWD. Those who choose AWD will be able to pick the smaller or larger battery. The California Route 1 will be a RWD model exclusively, while the First Edition and GT Performance Edition will offer AWD only. The three most expensive models in the lineup will all receive the long-range battery. The California Route 1 will travel the farthest between charges (475 km), but the trade-off will be slower sprints (0-100 km/h in just under seven seconds). With the standard on-board charger, you can expect to get 35 km of range for every hour of charging via a 240V power source (a mere 5 km if you use a 120V outlet). Ford will also offer a level-2 charging station that gives you 51 km of range per hour. When using a DC fast-charging station with up to 150 kW of power, the Mustang Mach-E will regain 76 km of range in 10 minutes or charge from 10-80 percent in 38 minutes. Additionally, there will be a FordPass network of more than 12,000 charging stations across North America and the vehicle鈥檚 navigation system will plan routes accordingly.