Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally: The first Mustang ever made to live on tarmac and play in the dirt.
Posted by Breda | Sep 8, 2023 | Features, FIRST LOOK, Homepage, Press Release | 0
Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally: The first Mustang ever made to live on tarmac and play in the dirt
COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 7, 2023 – The world is about to witness the power and agility of EVs in a new way with the Ford Mustang Mach-E® Rally.
Revealed without camouflage for the first time today at IAA Mobility, Munich, following a global first look at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, Mustang Mach-E Rally joins the Mustang Mach-E family and pushes electric vehicles in a different direction – the first-ever rally-inspired EV from Ford takes Mustang freedom and fun onto dirt roads.
“Just a year ago, this was merely an idea, and what you see today is a testament to the passion and intense creativity of our Model e team,” said Donna Dickson, chief engineer, Mustang Mach-E. “We have always explored new areas of performance, and the combination of a rally-tuned suspension, dual motor electric powertrain, and wicked styling makes the Mustang Mach‑E Rally a different kind of performance vehicle that will excite customers chasing their next adventure.”
Mustang Mach-E Rally 1 is electric vehicle technology applied to an entirely untapped white space, expanding the Mustang Mach-E family. This machine boasts a tuned version of the Mustang Mach-E GT powertrain, with a two-motor layout targeting at least 880 Nm of torque and 358 kW of power. 2, 3 Mustang Mach-E Rally includes a lithium-ion battery with a 91 kWh (usable) capacity.
The vehicle rides on a unique suspension that has been raised 20 millimetres over Mustang Mach‑E GT and is equipped with specially tuned springs, MagneRide® shocks, 4 and 385‑millimetre front brake discs with red-painted Brembo®-branded callipers. 5
Where the rubber meets the dirt road, Mustang Mach-E Rally sports durable, gloss white 19‑inch rally-style alloy wheels inspired by the long history of Ford rally vehicles and wearing 235/55 R19 Michelin CrossClimate2 tyres that provide more sidewall and loose surface grip compared to GT.
Mustang Mach-E Rally has the first-ever RallySport Drive Mode 6 from Ford, which is designed for off-road driving and adapts electronic control systems to allow bigger slides, a linear throttle response for better control, and more aggressive damping for better handling in loose corners. As a bonus, drivers will appreciate how this drive mode, combined with the new tyres, allows the Mustang Mach-E Rally to perform in snow and other slick on-road conditions.
To test the Mustang Mach-E, Ford developed an all-new rally course at its Michigan Proving Ground. The course was specially designed by rallycross veterans to simulate just what the vehicle might experience in the real world. Engineers and technicians then abused Mustang Mach-E Rally prototypes in 800-kilometre tests simulating rally-cross durability trials to make sure it lived up to their design intent.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally also looks the part by wearing a dramatic rear spoiler that takes inspiration from the Focus®RS, unique contrasting accents, including upper and lower body mouldings, a unique front splitter, black painted steel roof, distinctive and purposeful front fascia that houses built-in rally-inspired fog lights. Every Mustang Mach-E Rally comes standard with two racing stripes that complement the bold colour palette. It can be ordered in Grabber Blue, Shadow Black, Eruption Green, and eye-popping Grabber Yellow with available Star White or new Glacier Gray as extra cost options.
Inside there’s a combination of comfort, functionality, and style that ties in with the iconic white wheels. There are gloss white accents on the dash, the lower spokes of the steering wheel and contrasting stitching on the doors. Drivers will strap into distinctive Ford-designed performance seats that feature gloss white seatbacks, and “Mach-E Rally” debossed into the seating surface.
“Mustang Mach-E Rally puts Ford’s decades of passion for rally championships around the world right in the hands of our customers,” said Jim Farley, Ford chief executive officer. “It takes Mustang where it hasn’t been before – to gravel and dirt roads. Inspired by true driving enthusiasts, a driving experience like never before for the pure joy of driving.”
The Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to order in early 2024 and deliveries will begin shortly afterward.
