Ford Introduces Electric Mustang SUV

Ford Introduces Electric Mustang SUV

鈥?On Sunday, Ford unveiled its new all-electric Mustang Mach-E crossover SUV. With its emphasis on affordability and performance, the newest member of the Mustang family appears to be a pointed attempt by Ford to take on Tesla. One thing that Ford has apparently learned from Tesla is that boring electric vehicles don鈥檛 sell. The Mustang Mach-E GT Performance models will get an estimated 459 horsepower, Ford claims, from two electric motors, one powering the back wheels, the other powering the front. They should be able to go from zero to 60 miles an hour in roughly 3.5 seconds, a time similar to a Porsche 911 GTS, according to Porsche鈥檚 web site. The Tesla Model 3 Performance, meanwhile, produces 450 horsepower and will share much of its engineering with the upcoming Model Y SUV. 7,500 federal tax credit, Ford executives said. They expect Mach-E buyers will be able to get that full tax credit for at least the first year it鈥檚 available.

Ford expects Extended Range versions of the Mach-E with 332 horsepower to get an EPA-rated range of at least 300 miles. The standard range version will go about 239 miles on a charge, said Ted Cannis, Ford鈥檚 director of electrification. Even with that standard range battery pack, Cannis said, the Mach-E will accelerate more quickly than a Porsche Macan SUV. Two-wheel drive versions of the Mustang Mach-E will be rear-wheel drive, like the Mustang coupe it鈥檚 modeled after. Rear-wheel drive is considered ideal for a performance-oriented vehicle. Overall, the Mach-E will have the best driving dynamics of any SUV Ford has made yet, Cannis claimed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a freaking rock star,鈥?he said. Some Mustang fans have expressed dismay over the application of the Mustang name to an SUV. But Ford executives insist Mach-E truly deserves the galloping pony logo. Since there鈥檚 no engine, electric vehicles don鈥檛 need a long hood, but the Mustang Mach-E has one.

That鈥檚 a classic performance design cue, but it also helps maintain the Mustang family resemblance. It also has a black rooftop, no matter the paint color on the rest of the car, creating the illusion of a low sloping roofline. The taillights spread out horizontally to increase the perception of width, and making the vehicle seem more planted and stable like a sports car. Unlike most electric cars, the Mach-E even makes a distinctly audible sound because, Ford designers explained, sound is an important part of the Mustang experience. The Mach-E doesn鈥檛 make a V8 burble, though. The artificially created sound, which can be heard both inside and outside the vehicle, varies to match the Mach-E鈥檚 acceleration and speed, like an actual engine sound would. The Mach-E鈥檚 sound resembles an amplified electric motor whir, but with a hint of a rumble. The SUV will have three selectable driving modes: Whisper, Engaged and Unbridled. Things like the responsiveness of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal, as well the vehicle鈥檚 interior lighting, the graphic design of the gauges and the volume of the motor sound will change based on the mode selected.

The Mustang Mach-E also has an enormous central touch screen, similar to the screens in a Tesla. Unlike other touch screens, though, the Mach-E has a volume knob mounted on the screen. That was one thing, Ford designers found, for which people really preferred a knob. The Mach-E doesn鈥檛 have traditional door handles or, for that matter, any door handles at all in the back. The doors are unlatched using electronic buttons. The front doors also have tiny black winglike projections to provide finger holds to pull the door open. Like Teslas, the Mach-E will also be able to receive over-the-air software updates to improve things like performance and entertainment options. One feature that will later be added using an over-the-air software update is the ability for hands-free driving on the highway, Ford executives said. That will be similar to General Motors鈥?Cadillac Super Cruise system and Tesla鈥檚 Navigate on Autopilot. Executives did not say when that would be available. Ford recently announced the creation of a large network of electric vehicle charging stations across the US that can be accessed using a smart phone app. The network was created by allowing different charger networks to accept payment directly through the Ford app. When completed, Ford said, the charger network will have over 12,000 charging stations. The Mach-E, which will be built in Mexico, will be available next fall, Ford said. 500 deposit immediately, though.

Speaking to Dave Pericak, the director of enterprise product line management told The Detroit Bureau that 鈥淔ord Icons鈥?are of utmost importance for the Blue Oval. That鈥檚 the Mustang for you, along with the Shelby GT350 and GT350R if you were wondering. General Motors is stepping away from the three-pedal setup with the eighth generation of the 鈥榁ette, which comes exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission. Ford pulled a similar stunt with the Shelby GT500, which isn鈥檛 available with a manual for the 2020 model year. Turning our attention back to EVs, the Ford Motor Company is slated to receive the MEB vehicle architecture from the Volkswagen Group for battery-electric vehicles. Considering how the Blue Oval dragged its feet for nearly a decade when it comes to electric cars, we wouldn鈥檛 be surprised if the ID.3 receives different badges inside and out along with different bodywork. Scheduled to arrive at dealerships in 2020 for the 2021 model year, the Mach E will be joined by two electric crossovers in 2022 for the 2023 model year.