Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test

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Tesla hunter or Mustang traitor? We drove the Mach-E

Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test-first

Every car manufacturer has them, wants them, needs them: No, not SUVs, but electric cars. But the approaches are different. Some drive two-pronged cars with combustion and electric in one series, such as Opel for the Corsa.

The others, like VW, bring completely new electric cars on a special platform. And still others reflect on their own past: Fiat with the 500 and Ford with the Mustang Mach-E.

The fully electric Mustang Mach-E is at the head of a rapidly growing range of 18 electrified Ford models that the company will launch in Europe by the end of 2021. We have already been able to drive it and collect our first impressions.

What is that?

The Ford Mustang has been around for 56 years. The new Mustang Mach-E will soon hit the same line. Let's take a look at it: horse logos instead of the Ford plum, plus a front and rear section in the style of the Mustang sports car. It doesn't even look bad live, but you have to like it.

But one thing is certain: Mustang Coupe and Mustang Mach-E have about as much in common as Bayern Munich and Schalke 04. After all, the Mach-E is a five-door crossover SUV. However, the dimensions of the two Mustangs are not that far apart: 4.71 meters for the electrician, 4.79 meters for the sports car. And even in terms of weight, the difference is not that big: 300 kilos separate the "real" Mustang from the two-ton Mach-E. In the best case.

For now, enough with the comparisons in the family tree. Let's dedicate ourselves to the Mustang Mach-E. The space available is okay in view of the somewhat hatchback shape: a minimum of 402 liters of luggage fit in the trunk. If the rear seats are folded forward, the load volume increases to up to 1,420 liters.

Under the front hood there is also a so-called "Frunk": It has a capacity of 81 liters and (like the MegaBox in the new Ford Puma) has a water drainage valve. It is easy to clean and is particularly suitable for wet bathing suits or dirty mountain boots.

In the back, my legs have enough air, and there is no reason to complain above my head either. When I look up, I see the optional large glass roof. But now into the cockpit: The workmanship is right and is noticeably higher quality than in a VW ID.3, for example. Incidentally, the electric Mustang is built in Mexico, as it is of course intended to stir up the US market in particular.

Without a doubt, Ford has Tesla there in view. One component in particular should look familiar to the disciples of St. Elon: the huge portrait screen. More precisely, a 15.5-inch touchscreen with a screen diagonal of 39 centimeters. As a special feature, there is a manual rotary knob for the volume below.

But the huge glass plate shares one problem with its Tesla counterpart: you shouldn't fumble around there too often while driving, the potential for distraction is great. However, many settings are made before the start of the journey or remain unchanged by the owner for weeks.

Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test-mach-e

In any case, I understood the part pretty quickly, which speaks for the menu navigation. And unlike Tesla, there is an additional instrument display behind the steering wheel. The digital, horizontally installed 10.2-inch cockpit measures 26 centimeters diagonally.

Speaking of touch and so: the tiny door handles on the outside are unlocked by sensors. A Ford premiere is the "smartphone as a key" technology. If the car detects via Bluetooth that the driver's authorized mobile device is approaching, it unlocks the doors. Even to start the car, you don't have to pick up a smartphone or a key.

If the battery of the electronic device is empty, the Mustang Mach-E can be opened with a PIN using a number pad in the B-pillar. And with a separate PIN code that is entered on the central touchscreen, the car is also ready to drive. Conventional door handles can be dispensed with in this way.

What's under the sheet metal?

The Mustang Mach-E is based on a vehicle architecture that Ford's "Edison" team developed from scratch for all-electric automobiles. The electrically powered crossover SUV comes with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (dual electric motor) and, depending on the battery capacity, in two power levels each.

Before I overwhelm you with text, let's take a look at the most important data in the overview:

Ford Mustang Mach-E E-standard range Dual-E standard range E-Extended Range Dual-E Extended Range
Electric motors 1 2 1 2
Power in kW (PS) 198 (269) 198 (269) 216 (290) 258 (346)
Torque (Nm) 430 580 430 580
drive Stern (RWD) All-wheel drive (AWD) Stern (RWD) All-wheel drive (AWD)
length 4,713 mm 4,713 mm 4,713 mm 4,713 mm
broad 1,881 mm 1,881 mm 1,881 mm 1,881 mm
height 1,624 mm 1,624 mm 1,624 mm 1,624 mm
wheelbase 2,984 mm 2,984 mm 2,984 mm 2,984 mm
Trunk volume 402 – 1,420 liters 402 – 1,420 liters 402 – 1,420 liters 402 – 1,420 liters
Empty weight 1,969 kg 2,063 kg 2,085 kg 2,182 kg
Trailer load (braked) 750 kg 750 kg 750 kg 750 kg
Battery size (kWh) 75.7 75.7 98.7 98.7
Range (WLTP) 440 km 400 km 610 km 540 km
Top speed 180 km / h 180 km / h 180 km / h 180 km / h
0-100 km / h (in seconds) 6.9 5.3 7.0 5.8
Electricity consumption (kWh / 100 km) 17.2 19.5 16.5 18.7
Price (in euros, with 19 percent VAT) 46,900 54,000 54,475 62,900

So there are various variants: with or without all-wheel drive, which depends on the number of electric motors. Or, depending on your taste, sufficient or even more range. The figures show, however, that with two engines you lose a bit of range. The Mustang Mach-E E-Extended Range (what a name!) Seems to be the ideal middle ground. Fun fact: Even the weakest normal Mustang has 290 hp.

Ford recommends a wallbox for charging, which can reduce charging time by 80 percent compared to a domestic socket. This should allow the extended-range version with rear-wheel drive to fill up with enough energy for a further 62 kilometers in one hour. Buyers of the Mustang Mach-E receive two charging cables as standard.

In addition, Ford customers have access to 400 HPC fast charging stations (HPC = High Power Charging) with their almost 2,400 charging points, which the IONITY consortium – of which Ford is one of the founding members and partners – will be setting up along European highways by the end of 2020.

In addition to free access to the IONITY fast charging network, Ford customers also receive a reduced tariff of EUR 0.31 / kWh (including VAT) instead of the normal tariff of EUR 0.79 / kWh for the first year. This applies to all Ford customers in Europe who "refuel" their electrified Ford vehicle at an IONITY charging point in Germany. The distance between the individual charging stations should be a maximum of 120 kilometers.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E can use a charging power of up to 150 kW at IONITY and other HPC charging points, thereby significantly reducing charging times. If the Mustang Mach-E is recharged at an IONITY station with 150 kW, just ten minutes are enough for it to gain a further 119 kilometers of range in the best-case scenario.

The charging details at a glance:

  Standard range Extended range
Battery capacity installed / usable 75.7 / 68 kWh 98.7 / 88 kWh
maximum charging power (DC) 115 kW 150 kW
maximum possible km in 10 minutes 91 km (RWD), 85 km (AWD) 119 km (RWD), 107 km (AWD)
Charging time (10 to 80 percent with maximum charging power) 38 minutes 45 minutes

For the end of 2021, the particularly sporty top version Mustang Mach-E GT will be launched planned. The data is quite close to that of the conventionally fired Mustang Mach 1. Power: 342 kW (465 PS), torque: 830 Nm, acceleration: 3.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h, plus the large battery. The electronically limited top speed of the Mustang Mach-E GT is 200 km / h. Its weight: 2,273 kilograms.

How does the Mach-E drive now??

After my short lap on the Ford test track, I can say: pretty good. I was on the road with the preliminary top version, the twin-engine Mach-E with the large battery. The weight of 2.2 tonnes cannot be felt on a straight stretch. With regard to the chassis, Ford has put a lot of effort into achieving an appealing compromise: The Mustang Mach-E does not cuddle everything away with 19-inch wheels, but also does not bolt unnecessarily sporty or wooden over various asphalt variations.

It gets interesting in curves: Here the Mach-E turns directly and cleanly, but the weight cannot be magically removed. So the SUV easily pushes outwards. What is astonishing, however, is that despite all-wheel drive, the rear can be persuaded to drift slightly. Sportier than the "real" Mustang? Not that, after all, the Mach-E is also designed for the family and for that reason alone is less pointed.

Let me put it another way: The Ford Mustang Mach-E delivers a nice range between balance and sportiness at the push of a button. There are three different driving modes: Tame, Active and Temperamental. From "Active", an artificial engine sound comes to the driver's ear, which in "Temperamental" almost imitates a V8. But that seems rather embarrassing, which is why I turned off this music.

Speaking of switching off: I can also do this with the one-pedal mode if necessary. Unfortunately, the degree of recuperation cannot be adjusted. And Ford should revise the collision warning system, which responds very early on.

What does it cost?

Finally, a word about consumption: I came to 25.0 kWh per 100 km, but with a hard driving style and on a route that is not representative. Practical tests under more realistic conditions must provide detailed values ​​on consumption and ranges at a later point in time.

Keyword later: The market launch of the Ford Mustang Mach-E is planned for the beginning of 2021, the price list starts at 46,900 euros (including 19 percent VAT). Extensive standard equipment is already included here. There are not many extras apart from colors and various technology packages.

More about the Ford Mustang Mach-E: Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test-mustang Ford Mustang Mach-E: Video shows details of the new electric SUV

Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test-ford Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition: New top version presented

Let's do the math: minus all premiums, the Mustang Mach-E starts at around 37,500 euros. And even without a bonus, it can score against the competition: A significantly weaker VW ID.4 Pro with "only" 150 kW (204 PS) and poorer equipment costs a good 44,630 euros with 19 percent VAT.

Conclusion: 8/10

First shot and already a direct hit: With the Mustang Mach-E, Ford has put a surprisingly good electric car on the wheels, the price is also okay. The Mach-E is very well tuned and active to drive. He trumps Tesla in terms of operation and workmanship. It has taken Ford a long time when it comes to electric cars. But the result is impressive. But it shouldn't be called Mustang.

Picture gallery: Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021) in the test

Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021): Electric SUV in the first test-ford

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