A Tesla Killer Enters The Fray - It Is Called Ford Mustang Mach-E

A Tesla Killer Enters The Fray - It Is Called Ford Mustang Mach-E

Los Angeles, California - A breakthrough vehicle from an American manufacturer has been introduced just days before the official LA Auto Show opens its doors. Instead of a large displacement supercharged big block placed in a 鈥淧ony car鈥?platform, this one is an all-electric super car destined to take on the current all-electric leader. That being Tesla. And who is it from? Well I鈥檒l be, it鈥檚 Ford! Tesla has for years provided great performance and chart topping all-electric range but its exterior looks and interior feel are as sterile as an operating room. Ford鈥檚 all-new Mustang Mach-E was designed from the ground up to not just compete in this new era of electric mobility but to change the very nature of the all-electric car. It is being built to provide a hair-raising experience from first look to the last mile. The Mustang Mach-E is an all-new, all-electric, SUV designed to provide the same bold spirit from which its iconic nameplate was some 55-years ago. 鈥淭oday, the Ford Motor Company is proud to unveil the all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E. It鈥檚 fast. It鈥檚 fun.

Continuing with the historic angle, Ford stated the Mach-E was developed in a century-old brick building a few blocks away from Henry Ford鈥檚 first factory in Detroit. Slated to arrive in late 2020, the Mustang Mach-E will be available with 2-traction battery sizes, standard and extended-range in either a RWD or AWD configuration powered by permanent magnet motors. Like all electric AWD systems, each wheel can be driven independently of the other. The long range RWD variant is said to arrive with an EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles. Ford also will offer two performance versions. The Mach-E GT is targeting 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds while the GT Performance should hit the mark in the mid 3-second range both with 459 hp and 612 lb.-ft. A limited First Edition extended-range AWD with red brake calipers, metallic pedal covers, contrasting seat stitching and a scuff plate marked First Edition.

The Mach-E will be available with Brembo鈥檚 Flexira performance aluminum calipers. The GT Performance will include adaptive suspension. Three unique drive experiences will be offered that Ford calls Whisper, Engage and Unbridled. The Mach-E will be the first production vehicle to be tuned by the Ford Performance team utilizing Ford鈥檚 racing simulator in North Carolina. The Mach-E is all Mustang with a similar rear haunch design and trademark tri-bar taillamps. Under the hood is a drainable front trunk w/ 4.8 cu. With the excess space provided by electrification, Ford designed the 5-passenger SUV-with 29 cu. With the rear seats down, that volume expands to 59.6 cu. A floating flip-up armrest doubles as a place to store purses or bags. An available panoramic fixed-glass roof has a special glass coating with infrared protection that helps the interior stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In addition, an inner layer between the glass helps protect against UV rays.

To boot up and go, all you need is your smartphone. Using Bluetooth, the Mach-E can unlock the Mach-E and allowing you to drive away without use of a Key Fob. A backup code can be entered on the center touch screen to start and drive the vehicle in the event a phone battery dies. The Mustang Mach-E will be available in both standard-range (75.7 kWh, 288 module Li-Ion battery) and extended-range (98.8 kWh, 376 module Li-Ion battery), with an EPA-estimated range of at least 300 miles in RWD configuration. Like the Tesla, the Mach-Es battery is located on the floor between the vehicle鈥檚 two axles - and tested at temperatures to minus 40 degrees F. The liquid cooled batteries are secured inside a waterproof case surrounded by crash-absorption protection. A Ford Connected Level2 240V Charging station can add an estimated 32 miles per hour on the extended-range, RWD model. It can also be charged at up to 150 kW on an SAE CCS DC charger which can add an estimated 47 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes. 22 miles per hour on a 240V home outlet. The standard-range Mustang Mach-E is estimated to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 38 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station. The FordPass Charging Network which includes the Electrify America network includes DC fast chargers. The NAVI will identify up-to-date public charging locations during trips and prompt owners to charge at the most convenient points along your drive. The Mach-E will be the test bed for Ford鈥檚 next-generation SYNC that uses machine learning to quickly learn divers鈥?preferences with over-the-air updates. The 15.5鈥?screen uses touch, swipe and pinch controls just like a smartphone.