After a long wait, the Blue Oval’s will introduce a hot new model in Australia later this year – and it has the numbers to challenge a familiar favourite.
Ford has confirmed its Mustang Mach-E line-up in Australia.
The Mustang Mach-E shares little with the iconic Pony car it borrows its name from. Instead of a coupe, sports car body and V8 petrol power Ford has installed electric motors and a big battery in a mid-size SUV body.
Prices for the three tier range start at $79,990 (before on-road costs) for the base Select Version and rise to $107,665 for the potent Mache-E GT, which is expected to arrive in Australia in a few months.
The new Ford Mustang Mach-E isn’t cheap.
Key rivals the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 start at about $79,000 and $76,000 drive-away respectively.
The Select scores a 71kWh battery that delivers 198kW and 430Nm to the rear wheels. It also has a driving range of up to 470km and can accept a charge rate of up to 150kW, which is good enough to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 32 minutes.
The Mach-E GT has more torque than any Ford road car before it.
Move up to the $91,665 Mach-E Premium and you get a bigger 91kWh battery with 600km of range and 216kW of power. It can reach 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, four-tenths faster than the standard model.
It takes 13 minutes longer to fill the battery from 10 to 80 per cent compared to the Select.
Despite its bigger battery the Premium is the lightest of all three, which helps extend its range.
Sitting atop the range is the scintillating Mach-E GT that adds a second motor to the front wheels and boosts outputs to a combined 358kW and 860Nm, which is more torque than any Ford vehicle before it.
It is just as fast as the Tesla Model Y Performance.
That extra oomph drops the driving range to 490km and its 0-100km/h time to 3.7 seconds.
The Mach-E GT is outshone by its key rival, the Tesla Model Y Performance. It is priced at about $106,000 drive-away, is just as quick and has a longer driving range.
All variants have a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display and a 15.5-inch tablet-style central screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless device charger, digital radio, Bluetooth, satnav and a B & O 10-speaker stereo with subwoofer are all standard.
All variants are well equipped.
Every variant has a faux-leather, heated steering wheel and faux-leather, electronically adjustable and heated front seats. The GT has figure hugging sports seats.
Select and Premium versions ride on 19-inch alloy wheels and the GT has bigger 20-inch rims.
The GT is fitted with added hardware to deal with the uprated performance. It has Brembo brakes and adaptive suspension that allows for different drive modes.
There is a “track only” Untame Mode that allows drivers to adjust traction and stability control.
Ford has fitted the Mach-E with all the necessary safety equipment.
Daniel Ricciardo with the Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mach-E will automatically apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision and warn you if a car is in your blind spot or approaching from the side as you reverse.
An array of sensors will keep you centred in your lane.
Nine airbags, a bird’s eye view camera, parking sensors and radar cruise control round out the comprehensive list.
Keyword: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E to arrive soon