Overview
THERE has been lots of dialogue across the Mustang Mach-E, most of it centred round using that iconic nameplate for an electrical SUV.
However what it’s possible you’ll not know is that in utilizing the Mustang badge, Ford has cleverly pulled a stack of carbon credit within the ‘actual’ Mustang’s favour, which implies V8-loving die-hards such as you and I can proceed to take pleasure in that epic 5.0-litre Coyote for just a bit longer.
Otherwise you may simply think about making the bounce proper now…
Positive, the Mustang Mach-E is the next driving four-door with extra seats that the normal coupe, but it surely does tick lots of Mustang containers. It goes like stink in a straight line, turns heads in site visitors, feels purposeful from behind the ‘wheel, and, in the proper mode, even sounds slightly good.
Even higher, Ford Australia just lately slashed the worth of the Mustang Mach-E vary by as much as $7000 making it a worthwhile consideration in opposition to all-electric rivals just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from $69,900 plus on-road prices), the Kia EV6 (from $72,590 +ORC) and the Tesla Mannequin Y (from $69,300 +ORC).
The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E vary now begins from $72,990 +ORC with the flagship GT (examined right here) retailing from $104,990 +ORC.
Ford tells us the Mustang Mach-E is its first all-electric manufacturing automobile to be developed from the bottom as much as ship pure-electric, zero tailpipe emission driving. Energy is obtainable from single- or twin electrical motors providing rear- or all-wheel drive with battery energy drawn from a selection of 71kWh or 91kWh packs.
Two forms of battery are used on the Mach-E, sturdy and cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) within the 71kWh Choose battery and nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) within the 91kWh Premium and GT battery every with its personal particular advantages.
Entry grade Choose variants ship 198kW and 430Nm output by way of the rear wheels with a claimed vary of 470km (WLTP) and a 6.6-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.
The mid-tier Premium grade ups output to 216kW and 430Nm once more by way of the rear wheels, however with a bigger 91kWh battery for a claimed vary of 600km (WLTP) and a nought to 100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
Lastly, and the mannequin ‘actual’ Mustang followers are prone to get most enthusiastic about is the one examined right here – the Mach-E GT. The twin-motor and all-wheel drive rocket ship rails 358kW and 860Nm to the tarmac whisking its occupants to triple digits in simply 3.7 seconds, within the course of making it Ford Australia’s quickest ever accelerating manufacturing automobile.
Driving vary is formally listed at 490km (WLTP), although we managed round 380km in combined use.
The ‘hero’ GT matches the oomph with MagneRide adaptive suspension and high-performance Brembo brakes, bespoke rubber on 20-inch alloys, body-specific styling cues and a stack of ANCAP-rated security package.
Customary gear throughout all three grades consists of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car-to-car, susceptible highway person, junction help, and back-over performance. Lane conserving help, lane departure warning, emergency lane conserving, and an advance velocity help system are additionally normal.
Driving Impressions
In becoming the Mustang Mach-E’s battery between the cabin flooring and the underside of the automobile, Ford has achieved cargo and passenger lodging ranges which can be each considerably shocking and impressively spacious. The décor is sporty, and slightly Mustang-esque in its personal means, with an aesthetic mixture of dark-themed leather-based and materials that speaks to what Mustang possession is all about. A pity the seats are slightly flat, then.
After all, there’s a huge 15.5-inch display set vertically entrance and centre on the dashboard – and a pokey little instrument readout forward of the steering wheel. Each do the job, and definitely present lots of customisation for homeowners in search of that ‘excellent’ expertise.
That mentioned, we discovered among the human-machine interface to be slightly clunky, with lots of menus and sub-menus to drill down into.
On the pragmatic facet of issues, there may be first rate storage all through for drinks, keys, wallets, purses, telephones and even an iPad or smaller laptop computer. The storage choices don’t intrude with the automobile’s controls in anyway, which reveals some actual although that different producers may want to tackle board. Kudos the place it’s due…
Sound high quality from the B&O audio system is heat and wealthy with sufficient adjustability to adapt the setup for differing music tastes. Given the quietness of the cabin when cruising in Energetic or Whisper modes its fairly pleasurable to chill with the tunes cranked and the adaptive cruise management doing its factor… assuming you could find the restraint.
Flick the Mach-E into Untamed mode and the horse’s hackles stand on finish. The suspension tightens, the steering corporations, and the motors pull on the reins. There’s a palpable sense of stress that alerts the horse is able to bolt, accompanied by a not-quite-V8 digital ‘Propulsion’ soundtrack.
Prepared, goal, hearth!
Acceleration within the Mustang Mach-E is wickedly fast, the wheels combating for traction in opposition to the blacktop as 2400kg of metallic and passengers race away from the road. It’s a ‘wow’ second for the uninitiated, and one which we reckon would see most petrol-powered ‘Stangs left coughing within the mud.
Transfer right into a set of corners and the Mustang feels its weight. The tyres hold on as finest they’ll, but it surely’s evident there may be lots of mass at play right here, pushing the nostril should you enter a nook too shortly. Sluggish in, quick out is a much better strategy.
The lowered suspension is agency – in hopes of giving the Mach-E a stage of management by way of corners – but it surely’s finest that even handed use of the throttle is maintained. Eight-hundred-and-sixty Isaacs is lots sufficient to upset the stability should you’re overzealous.
The steering really feel is distant and synthetic which detracts from the expertise a tad – this can be a automobile you are feeling by way of your behind, and never your fingers. And the identical goes for the brakes. As highly effective as they’re, the dexterity simply isn’t there, with initially software hole, then abruptly offering far an excessive amount of chew for deft day by day use.
Just like the touchscreen, Ford’s novelty door handles take slightly getting used to. The within latch is positioned oddly, and the surface deal with is, nicely, a button. Arguably it improves the automobile’s slipperiness within the air, however with wing mirrors nonetheless current on the door, we’d argue it’s a pointless gimmick.
However pointless gimmick the Mustang Mach-E shouldn’t be. Towards the Mustang it’s not a patch. However in difficult the likes of its all-electric rivals we expect it’s nearly on the cash. Should you’re eager on an EV and have a delicate spot for the Blue Oval model, then go and take a check drive. It would simply provide you with one thing to speak about…
