For those that call themselves car fanatics, it is easy for them to instantly recognize car brands without needing to see the logos, due to the style of the vehicle. Over years of production, body changes are made, but for the most part, vehicles stay relatively similarly and become recognizable to many. With the turn of the decade coming, its time to saddle up because one of Americas muscle car brands just got struck by electricity. There are two brands that each have a very distinct look to them, Ford's 'pony' line, Mustang, and Tesla. What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a Mustang? A muscle car, pinstripes, racing, American made; well get ready for a whole new take on the Mustang look and feel. Tesla, on the other hand, is quite different from Mustangs. What comes to mind when thinking about Tesla? Quite, electric charging, futuristic or maybe even the high horsepower. These two brands have nothing in common, yet come 2021, they will be competing in similar markets.
No, Tesla is not creating a gas-fueled muscle car, which leaves one other option. Yep, that's right, Ford's pony-line announced this past Sunday, they are in the trial phase for their all-electric SUV crossover. Ford is launching an all-new fully electric SUV crossover under the Mustang brand called the Mach-E. This is completely out of the normal vibe for Mustang but let me give you a glimpse into the look of this vehicle before continuing on with how it plans to compete with Tesla's SUV.
So now that you have a reference as to what the car looks like, let's talk about the engine and inside of the vehicle. 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. Those motors should be able to make the Mach-E go from zero to 60 miles an hour in roughly 3.5 seconds, a time similar to a Porsche 911 GTS. The Tesla Model 3 Performance, meanwhile, produces 450 horsepower and the upcoming Model Y SUV is expected to share much of the same engineering. Even with the standard range battery pack, Cannis said, the Mach-E will accelerate more quickly than a Porsche Macan SUV. (Generally, battery packs that provide higher range also provide more performance.) Two-wheel drive versions of the Mustang Mach-E will be rear-wheel drive, like the Mustang coupe it's modeled after. Rear-wheel drive is considered ideal for a performance-oriented vehicle.
Wanting to keep some of the brands' standard features in the new vehicle to make it feel more like a true Mustang, so here are a few of the things they did to maintain the Mustang vibe. Ford executives insist Mach-E truly deserves the galloping pony logo. Since there's no engine, electric vehicles don't need a long hood, but the Mustang Mach-E has one. That's 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 make 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, the sound is an important part of the Mustang experience. The Mach-E doesn't 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's acceleration and speed, like an actual engine sound, would. The Mach-E's 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's 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 which people really preferred a knob for, Ford designers found.
There are still things the Mustang brand is working out, such as the autopilot ability, a network of electric charging stations across the US that's compatible through an app, over-the-air software updates, and a few other things. The Mach-E, which will be built in Mexico, and is aiming to be available next fall, Ford said. The GT Performance Edition will be available in the spring of 2021. Those in Europe and the United States who are interested in buying a Mach-E can make a refundable $500 deposit immediately, for the vehicle. What are your thoughts on this new take for Mustang?
