The New Ford Electric Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E is a car that was always going to steal the show. Announced at the Los Angeles Motor Show, a glitzy event attended by Hollywood names such as Idris Elba, it took centre stage from the moment it was first unveiled. Having already lived up to the remarkably high expectations placed on it by experts in the automotive industry, it’s finally time for the public to take their turn in one of Ford’s most innovative vehicles yet.

An all-electric Mustang might come as a surprise to those familiar with the name, which is synonymous with American muscle cars. But, as Ford’s European president Stuart Rowley has stressed, the Ford company’s focus is firmly on electrification. With the entire automotive industry moving towards an electrified future, the Mustang Mach-E is proving to be a game-changer for the brand, being the first and flagship of 16 new hybrid and electric vehicles scheduled to arrive in the UK by the end of 2021.

The Mustang Mach-E is built on a brand-new electric vehicle platform called Global Electrified 2, or GE2, which is an upgraded version of the platform used for the new Ford Focus and the new Ford Kuga. The new Mach-E comes in a choice of two battery sizes and three power outputs. The two more premium AWD models are able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 5.1 seconds, while the base RWD model can do the same in 6.2 seconds. The WLTP range of the Mach-E varies from between 248 miles to 379 miles, depending on the version, making it one of the longest-range electric cars on the market right now.

The Mustang Mach-E has DC high-power charging capability. That means you’ll be able to recharge up to 73 miles of range in just 10 minutes at one of IONITY network’s high-speed 150kW charging stations that can be found across the UK and Europe, or from 10-80% in just 38 minutes for the standard range or 45 minutes for the extended range battery.

Ford also makes charging the Mustang Mach-E at home hassle-free with several different charging options, including high-powered home sockets and the Ford Connected Wallbox. Both can recharge up to 27 miles of range every hour and complete a full charge overnight. The Wallbox also connects to the FordPass mobile app, so you can even manage your charging remotely.

The UK government's Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is currently offering a plug-in car grant of £350 towards the cost of installation of an at-home chargepoint, including the Ford Connected Wallbox, through their electric vehicle homecharge scheme (EVHS). If you would like to apply, you can easily do so online.

While the Mach-E may mark the start of a new era for the Ford Mustang name, it’s not leaving its heritage behind. The new Mustang Mach-E takes inspiration from the muscle cars that bore the same name in both its styling and performance. Its name was even inspired by the first-generation Mustang’s Mach 1 variant. Other ways in which the Mustang’s heritage lives on can be seen in the badge, the front and rear lights, and in several lines along the body work.

As you might expect with a premium electric vehicle, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is packed with technological conveniences. One of the standout features of the new Mustang Mach-E is the lack of door handles. In their place, the Mach-E has buttons which open the doors electronically. These can be activated by the owner’s smartphones, which act as keys for the Mach-E, or via a keyboard that is built into the B-pillar. On the inside, you’ll find a built-in soundbar for a premium audio experience and a vertically mounted 15.5-inch touchscreen display. This display uses the next generation Ford Sync 4 operating system to control many of the car’s systems and keep you connected, all while using machine learning to quickly learn your preferences and make helpful suggestions. The Mach-E on-board systems also receive regular over-the-air updates to continuously enhance performance.

The Mustang Mach-E comes with three unique drive modes – Whisper, Engage and Unbridled - each of which offer their own distinct sensory experience through electronic changes in throttle response, engine sounds and even interior ambient lighting. Engage is the base mode for everyday driving, while Whisper features lighter steering controls and gentler accelerator response. The most exhilarating of all, Unbridled offers a sportier drive with enhanced throttle response and sporty orange lighting.

With the Mustang Mach-E AWD and First Edition models now available in the UK, Ford have also recently revealed the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition which will launch in late 2021. If you are prepared to wait a little longer, the GT model features a 459bhp dual electric motor powertrain and all-wheel drive, giving the car rapid acceleration of 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds. The Performance Edition model will also feature MagneRide adaptive suspension, Ford performance seats, 20-inch alloy wheels and a couple of exclusive paint colours.