Peter Lyon
September 8, 2023
Who’d have thought? An electric rally SUV from Ford. Well, that’s exactly what debuted at the Munich Auto Show this week.
Revealed in full production “showroom” mode for the first time today at the IAA Mobility show, following a global first look at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the 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 and tarmac of course.
The brand is showing us that EVs don’t always have to be about range and everyday commutes. They can mix it with the best of them in motorsport too.
“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, of 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.”
Ford’s new Rally beast will be quick, packing 650 lb-ft of torque
So what has Ford done here? They’ve created the Mustang Mach-E Rally which is a tuned version of the Mustang Mach-E GT powertrain, with a twin-motor layout targeting 480hp of power and 650 lb-ft of torque. This new Rally version employs a lithium-ion battery with a 91 kWh (usable) capacity.
It rides on a unique suspension that has been raised 20 millimeters over the Mustang Mach‑E GT and is equipped with specially tuned springs, MagneRide shocks, and 385 mm front brake discs with red-painted Brembo calipers.
Inside there’s a combination of comfort, functionality, and style that ties in with the iconic white 19-inch 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’s 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.”
OUR THOUGHTS
It’s great to see carmakers like Ford creating a wild rally EV like this. Manufacturers really need to up the ante, and inject some passion—as Ford is doing here—to change the public’s mindset towards EVs. As Farley says, this rally-inspired vehicle will take motorists who love SUVs to a new place. The Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to order in early 2024 and deliveries will begin shortly afterward.
