Page 34 - Motor Trend (February 2020)

FIRST LOOK

same people who tune Mustangs tune
the Mach-E. Fingers crossed that they
threw one of the Shelby guys or gals at it.
Because magnetic suspension similar to
what’s on the GT350 and GT500 will be
an option, we might get my wish.
Two battery packs will be available. The
small pack will provide 210 to 230 miles of
range (depending on whether you choose
A Quick Ride in the Mach-E RWD or AWD), the big pack 270 to 300
miles, though they’re a ways off from EPA
e got a chance to take an early three-quarters of an inch, depending on certification. The small battery holds 75.7
ride in an all-wheel-drive long- the drive mode. kW-hr of juice and weighs approximately
Wrange prototype of the Mustang Our experience with the 2021 Mustang 1,050 pounds; the larger battery is rated at
Mach-E4. If our short time with the vehicle is Mach-E was conducted in the car’s 98.8 kW-hr and weighs 1,275 pounds. Ford
any indication, this extension of the Mustang sportiest Unbridled drive mode. (If I had didn’t say, but you can expect the Mach-E
nameplate just might be a worthy endeavor. one criticism of the product briefing, it’s to weigh in at more than 5,000 pounds.
I hopped in the back seat of a camo- that there weren’t nearly enough horse As for charging times, Ford claims the
wrapped prototype, and before we even puns like this one.) batteries will DC-fast-charge to 80 percent
starting moving, I was impressed by the Our driver gave us a quick 0–60 mph in 45 minutes. The team was also quick to
Mustang Mach-E’s packaging. At a hair over blast and a run through a slalom course remind us that 80 percent of BEV charging
6 feet, I frequently find my head smooshed to get a sense for the feeling of a high-
happens overnight at home. Want a Level
up against the ceiling when I’m subjected riding, Mustang-badged electric SUV.
2 home charger? Ford is partnering with
to the back seat, but that wasn’t the The acceleration run was impressive—
Amazon to hook it up. Buyers will also be
case here. There was a good 2 or 3 inches the driver quoted a mid-5-second 0–60
able to purchase the car digitally.
between my head and the glass roof, which time, but it felt more like the high-4-
Heard enough to open your check-
is especially impressive given the electric second range to me, and that was with
book? You can place a $500 deposit on
SUV’s swept-back profile. four adults in the cabin.
one right now, though you won’t be able
On the street, the instant torque from the The Mach-E team performed a fair
to purchase a Mach-E outright until fall
electric drivetrain is immediately apparent. amount of development at a race-
2020. Those interested in the Mach-E
The Mach-E redefines the term “muscle car,” track; although our slalom run only
GT (Hi, Mom!) will have to wait until late
in that it doesn’t develop power in a way gave us a small taste, this crossover is
that any Mustang ever has—and that’s not a real handler. Because the weight of in 2021. Pricing? Base prices range from
a bad thing. the battery pack is concentrated low in $44,995 for the base model to $61,000 for
The car we’re riding in makes an esti- the chassis and within the wheelbase, the Mach-E GT, and Ford indicated that
mated 332 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque with the Mach-E doesn’t have to fight much unlike Tesla and General Motors, Dear-
electric motors spinning the front and rear inertia to change direction. Body roll is born still has lots of those lovely $7,500
axles. Those wanting the ultimate perfor- present but relatively minimal, and the federal tax credits left.
mance capability out of their Mustang grip was strong, especially considering Should you be upset? If you’re deeply
Mach-E should opt for the GT, which will the car was wearing relatively narrow conservative in the traditional sense of
offer 459 hp and 612 lb-ft. 225-section all-season tires. the word, oh my, yes! The Mach-E is no
In our brief road loop, the Mustang Mustang diehards will scoff at the more a Mustang than my Chrysler! And
Mach-E rode relatively well, but driving Mach-E over its name alone, but if a full get off my lawn while you’re at it.
over a railroad crossing sent a sharp jolt series of MotorTrend tests can confirm
There are millions of Mustang fans out
through the cabin. Lesser models will ride the SUV’s promising performance, the
there—why not leverage their love of the
on a conventional suspension, but the naming will be much easier to swallow.
model and make something way cooler
GT Performance Edition will be equipped Ford expects the Mustang Mach-E GT
than a dorky compliance car? Do you
with Magneride magnetorheological to slot between the Mustang GT and
think the front-engine Porsche Panamera
shocks capable of lowering the car by Shelby GT350 in terms of performance.
looks just like the rear-engine 911 by acci-
Sounds mighty fine to us. Duncan Brady
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E dent? No way, dude. All Porsches must
answer to the 911 and, at the same time,
BASE PRICE $44,995
milk that same 911 for any and all credi-
VEHICLE LAYOUT Rear- or front/rear-motor, RWD/AWD, bility and sex appeal. Looks like the same
5-pass, 4-door SUV
will be true for Ford and the Mustang. I
MOTOR(S) 255-282-hp/306-lb-ft rear; 255-332-hp/ call that smart. Q
417-lb-ft (comb) front & rear
TRANSMISSION(S) 1-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT 5,000-5,500 lb (MT est)
WHEELBASE 117.0 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 186.0 x 74.0 x 63.0 in
0-60 MPH 6.1-6.5 sec (MT est)

EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON Not yet tested
ON SALE IN U.S. Late 2020

34 MOTORTREND.COM FEBRUARY 2020