Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021) review Car News

Just because the dust has settled and our perceptions have given time to adjust, we must not forget the controversial fireball that engulfed the 2020 launch of this week’s test drive topic.

The idea itself was not the problem. Crossovers are now without a doubt the backbone of profitability for almost all major automakers. And when it comes to all-electrics, those same automakers are at great risk of drowning in fines if they can’t quickly reduce their fleet’s average emissions. An electric crossover is therefore a wise product to manufacture. And as the world’s fourth largest automaker, Ford just had to have one.

The controversy arose from the fact that this first bespoke EV for the brand uses the Mustang name.

It hasn’t, as many initially feared, replaced the eight-cylinder Mustang – at least not yet – but it will certainly trade on the legend of this car. It’s hard to think of a comparable strategy from another automaker, whether or not realized. Maybe if Porsche decides to call the future electric Macan the “911 E”? We doubt it’s going too well either.

Technical specifications

Model tested: Mach-E Extended Range RWD

Price: £ 49,980

Tested price: £ 51,130

Electric motor (s): AC synchronous, permanent magnet

Drive battery: 99 kWh nominal, lithium-ion

Driveline arrangement: rear wheel drive

Model tested

Mach-E Extended Reach RWD

See all specs and rivals

electric motors

AC synchronous, permanent magnet

Drive battery

99kWh nominal, lithium-ion

Drive train arrangement

Rear wheel drive

Battery size

88kWh usable

Energetic efficiency

2.9mpkWh

Vary

281 miles (70 mph on tour)

Battery size

88kWh usable

Energetic efficiency

2.9mpkWh

Vary

281 miles (70 mph on tour)

Except with this Ford, the plan works. The Mustang Mach-E has garnered tremendous interest, not only for its impressive stats on paper, but also for its styling and positioning. It’s not for nothing that so far this year Ford has built more Mustang Mach-E at the car’s plant in Mexico than it has “real” Mustangs in Michigan. In the grand scheme of things, this is a small scalpel, but if Ford can hit its EV prediction of four out of 10 cars sold by 2030, that can also prove to be significant.