Ford hoped to keep the Mustang-inspired electric crossover it announced over a year ago under wraps until its official debut on November 17, but a leak has fully revealed the model ahead of time. Named Mustang Mach E, the four-door people-mover will compete in the same segment as the upcoming Tesla Model Y when it begins arriving in showrooms.
Ford has dabbled in EVs before; it sold a battery-powered Focus in many markets, and it experimented with an electric Ranger pickup during the 1990s, but these were low-volume vehicles based on existing, gasoline-powered models. The Mustang Mach E was developed with electric driving in mind from the get-go, and it shows.
What is it?
It’s important to make the distinction between Mustang-inspired and Mustang-based. Despite having “Mustang” in the name, there’s no evidence suggesting the Mustang Mach-E cars will share any major components with the actual Mustang. Ford’s video explained engineers are tuning the crossover with driving enjoyment in mind, and they’re using 3D simulators to dial it in, so this might be where the Mustang connection comes from. Its front-end design borrows styling cues from the emblematic pony car, including sharp headlights and a heavily sculpted hood. The pronounced rear fenders and the shape of the taillights remind us of the Mustang, too. Visually, the connection between the two models is certainly there.
Ford placed a huge, portrait-oriented touchscreen on the dashboard to display the infotainment system. This Tesla-esque layout replaces most of the buttons, knobs, and switches normally found in the cabin. The second screen installed behind the steering wheel replaces the instrument cluster, so it shows vital information about the car and its surroundings. While the full interior remains under wraps, Ford explained going electric allowed it to carve out a small, 4.8-cubic-foot trunk over the front wheels. It features a drain plug, so you can use it to hose off your muddy camping gear, or turn it into a cooler.
What’s underneath?
The Mach E’s specifications were uncovered by the member of an enthusiast forum who dug around the Ford website. Screenshots reveal the range is split up into five models named Select, California Route 1, Premium, First Edition, and GT, respectively. The entry-level model is available with a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive, or two electric motors and all-wheel drive. Both variants offer 255 horsepower, though their torque output checks in at 306 and 429 pound-feet, respectively. Buyers who get the rear-wheel-drive models have up to 230 miles of range to play with, while those who need all-wheel drive won’t be able to drive for more than 210 miles on a single charge.
The rear-wheel drive-only California Route 1 model has 282 hp, 306 lb-ft. of torque, a 300-mile range, and it takes about 6.5 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop, which makes it a second slower than the Select.
The mid-range Premium trim is the most complex because it’s offered in rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, standard range, and extended range variants. The standard range model gets 255 hp regardless of drivetrain type. The extended range offers 282 hp with rear-wheel drive, and 333 hp with all-wheel drive. Range varies from 210 to 300 miles. Information about the type of battery used hasn’t been provided; it’s presumably a lithium-ion pack, which is the norm in the industry.
Available for a limited time only, the First Edition gets the extended range battery pack, all-wheel drive, 333 hp, and 429 lb-ft. of torque. Maximum driving range checks in at 270 miles, and it takes about 5.5 seconds to reach 60. Finally, the Mach E GT is a bit of an enigma, because Ford hasn’t announced its horsepower and torque outputs yet. We know it’s all-wheel drive, it boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of under four seconds, and it has 250 miles of range. Keep in mind all of the aforementioned specifications can change in the months leading up to the car’s launch.
What’s certain is that Mustang Mach E owners will have paid access to Electrify America’s network of charging stations via the FordPass Charging Network, which groups 35,000 plugs at 12,000 stations owner by various providers across America. Using one of Electrify America’s 150-kilowatt charger will zap the battery pack with 47 miles of range in 10 minutes. Going from 10% to 80% will take approximately 45 minutes, according to Ford.
When can I buy one?
Customers will be able to place a refundable $500 deposit immediately after the Mach E breaks cover on November 17. Keep in mind that, as is normally the case with electric vehicles, the Mustang Mach E is not cheap. Pricing for the Select trim level starts at $43,895, though eligible buyers can claim a $7,500 federal tax credit that lowers that figure to $36,395. The Premium, California Route 1, First Edition, and GT models cost $50,600, $52,400, $59,900, and $60,500, respectively, before the aforementioned incentive (and a destination charge, which hasn’t been set yet) get factored in.
Deliveries will begin in late 2020, though the Select, California Route 1, and GT models won’t be available until early 2021. The Mach-E will eventually be joined by an electric Ford F-150 pickup truck, and a model co-developed with startup Rivian. A Ford model based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform is also planned, but it may not be sold in the U.S.
If you can’t travel to Los Angeles to watch actor Idris Elba unveil the Mustang Mach E in person, you’ll be able to stream the reveal on Ford’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter channels.
Updated on November 15, 2019: Added leaked information.
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