Electric Mustang turns on the power for Europe

Published on 19 February, 2020

Coming your way in late 2020: the Ford Mustang Mach-E

Overview

Ford took another step towards the EV era when it showed the new Mustang Mach-E - in Ireland later this year - to a European audience in London.

The car-maker has ground to make up in the push towards electrification, but it is now pushing ahead with 14 electrified vehicles due by the end of the year, and 18 by the close of 2021.

Some are just 48-volt mild hybrid versions of existing model but it is planning hybrid, plug-in and all-electric versions too.

Expect mild hybrid versions of Fiesta, Puma, Focus, Kuga, Transit Custom, Transit and Tourneo Custom by the end of 2021. Full hybrid versions of the Mondeo, Kuga S-Max and Galaxy will be joined by a plug-in Explorer, Kuga, Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom.

An all-electric Transit van will join the Mustang Mach-E.

To back the EV push, Ford has plans for a lithium-ion battery assembly facilities at it Valencia plant in Spain.

In addition to providing 1,000 charging points at its facilities and continued investment in the Ionity fast-charging network, the company will offer a wall-box capable of charging five times quicker than a domestic socket.

The Mach-E is now the emblem of EV change for Ford. It is so different to the iconic all-American sports car from which it takes its name.

It looks smaller than its 4.7-metre length suggests, but overall is nicely proportioned. The Kuga is probably its nearest rival on size.

It is certainly the most practical car to bear the Mustang name. There is decent rear passenger space and a practical boot. You'll be able to store stuff in the front truck (frunk?) too.

We got a short passenger ride in a pre-production version - complete with large red 'stop' button on top of the dash - in busy London traffic which didn't reveal a whole lot, other than, as with all electric cars, it was quiet and accelerated quickly.

A huge Tesla-like 15.5in infotainment screen dominates the central display although, unlike its American rival, the Mach-E also gets a separate display in front of the driver.

European versions will get specially-tuned settings for spring and damper specifications, electric power-assisted steering, electronic stability control and all-wheel drive.

A few swerves aside, we didn't get a chance to put this to the test on our passenger drive.

The headline feature is the 600km driving range but that depends on the battery and motor combination. There will be a choice of single or dual-motor versions (all-wheel drive). Power ranges from 258bhp to 337bhp. A GT version with 465bhp will follow.

There are three driving modes with Ford's marketing department coming up with the rather dubious names of Whisper, Engage and Unbridled.

The Mach-E will cost from around the €50,000 mark. It ticks boxes for practicality, range and styling and could introduce the Mustang name to a whole new audience.