By Breda Corrigan
When you first hear the name Ford Mustang, you immediately think “muscle car”, but the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a very different horse. It represents the first real venture by Ford into the electric vehicle market and comes in the shape of a large SUV. Ford has combined a distinguished name from the 1960’s with an SUV body that is very much the style of the moment, and coupled this combination with a fully electric powertrain.
Standard or Extended Range.
The Mustang Mach-E comes in a choice of two battery capacities – Standard Range (70kWh) and Extended Range (91kWh). The ‘standard range’ version is available with a power output of 265bhp (269PS), while the ‘extended range’ model comes with a choice of 290bhp (294PS) or 346bhp (351PS), with the top-of-the-range GT model offering 480bhp (486PS) and a thumping 860Nm of torque for outstanding performance. The ‘standard range’ Mach-E Select comes in rear-wheel drive (RWD) guise only, and the ‘extended range’ Mach-E Premium has the option of RWD or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the sporty GT variant comes with AWD as standard. With a driving range of up to 600kms (model dependent), range anxiety can be resigned to the history books. Recharging the Mach-E is a fast and simple task. For ultimate convenience, the SUV can be charged from 0-80% in as little as 8 hours from a 7.4kWh domestic wallbox charger, with a similar charge achievable in as little as 38 minutes from a fast charge public charge point. Making its debut in the Mach-E is Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment system for a highly personalised in-car experience. Machine learning helps better understand drivers habits over time, learning from each drivers’ routines to make the right navigation and communication suggestions at the right time, enabling drivers to concentrate of the road ahead.
Classic Mustang Styling.
With this stunning electric SUV comes a mix of classic Mustang styling, such as the long bonnet and muscular haunches, together with the EV styling of the blanked-off grille and tall upright body, along with the intelligent use of roof colours and window shaping to give a coupe-like impression. The Mustang Mach-E measures in at 4713mm in length, 1625mm in height and 1881mm in width, so it commands a strong presence on the road. Due to the bespoke EV platform, the cabin floor is completely flat which benefits the second row occupants in terms of legroom. With plenty of headroom also on offer, the Mustang Mach-E has enough passenger space to accommodate five adults comfortably.
Spaciousness Guaranteed.
Standard equipment is generous with an impressively-responsive 15.5-inch, portrait-style touchscreen positioned on the centre of the dash, while other comforts include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a smartphone charging pad, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors along with a reversing camera. The Mach-E also includes plenty of other practical equipment that makes life just that bit easier on the road, with features such as adaptive cruise control and electrically-operated front seats, and the Active Park Assist system which can automatically locate and steer you into even the tightest of parking spaces. There are lots of storage cubbies in the cabin of the Mach-E, while the main boot at the rear has a capacity of between 402 and 1,420-litres (depending on rear seat configuration) and another 100-litres of space available in the ‘frunk’ (front boot) – an ideal location for storing the charging cables.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended Range model which was finished in striking Space White paintwork with contrasting 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels. In place of traditional door handles, the Mach-E has (at the front) plastic hooks that protrude from the B-pillar. To open the car you have to press a touch-sensitive button above the hook, while rear-seat passengers have to press a flush-fitting button on the C-pillar to gain access. The futuristic touches continue inside the car’s spacious cabin too. The most used, and most useful information is easily accessible on the large central touchscreen, and there are well-placed shortcuts for important functions too. An array of digital instruments in front of the driver provide key information such as speed, range, and battery charge without unnecessary layers of configuration and options. Unique settings for shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bars, and steering have been tailored for European roads, enabling the five-seat SUV to tackle motorways and twisty back roads with ease. The One Pedal Drive function in the Mach-E returns more kinetic energy to the battery for greater efficiency, and this is just one of the advanced technologies employed to deliver the most comfortable and confidence-inspiring Ford ownership experience yet. The one-pedal driving experience is so intuitive you will almost never touch the brake pedal, but this is a selectable feature, so choosing the one-pedal mode is purely optional. On the road, the Mach-E is refined and stable and, compared with some rivals, it offers a more lively interaction with the driver. Producing 346bhp and 580Nm of torque, my test car could sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.1-seconds from a rolling start, and a single charge can accommodate a range of up to 540kms. Recharging the Mach-E is a fast and simple task. For ultimate convenience, the SUV can be charged from 0-80% in as little as 8 hours from a 7.4kWh domestic wallbox charger, with a similar charge achievable in as little as 38 minutes from a fast charge public charge point. Making its debut in the Mach-E is Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment system for a highly personalised in-car experience. Machine learning helps better understand drivers habits over time, learning from each drivers’ routines to make the right navigation and communication suggestions at the right time, enabling drivers to concentrate of the road ahead.
Five-Star Safety.
Industry safety body, Euro NCAP, awarded the Mustang Mach-E a top five-star rating in 2021. Standard safety equipment is reassuringly extensive, with a host of active on-board features helping the Mach-E achieve a 92% score for adult safety, a score of 86% for child protection, and 82% for safety assist technology. All cars include systems such as Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support, Automated Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Distance Alert, Evasive Steer Assist, and Blind Spot Warning (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert.
Pricing.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is now on sale at Ford dealerships nationwide, with prices starting from €67,666.
