In nearly 60 years, Ford has never offered a Mustang for anything other than asphalt roads and racetracks, but that’s about to change.
No, the coupe won’t turn into an off-road car like the Porsche 911 Dakar. It is rather the electric crossover of the brand with the blue oval that will go off the beaten track. Say hello to the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally!
Presented as a world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed currently taking place in England, the vehicle took part in the famous uphill test in the hands of rally driver and former world champion Ott Tänak, a question of demonstrating his skills.
Photo: Ford
Ford gives very few details. The body of the model you see here was customized by designer Troy Lee, well known in the world of action and motorsports. Exterior changes include accent lights and a tow eye up front, exclusive retro-looking wheels, off-road tires and a heavily modified spoiler atop the tailgate.
On board, the main change can be seen in the seats: their structure is reinforced and lateral support is increased to better hold the driver and front passenger in place during turns and off-road manoeuvres.
Photo: Ford
No word on the powertrain, unfortunately. It is of course expected that the future production model will have some differences. Ford will reveal more and show us more images in the coming weeks, as the Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to order this fall, likely as a 2024 model. Good news: Canada will be entitled to it, as will the United States. United and Europe.
Reduced prices and increased production in 2023
As The Car Guide As you learned in May, Ford has made significant improvements and price cuts to the 2023 Mustang Mach-E. For example, the Premium RWD Standard Range version has dropped by $3,000 to $61,995 (MSRP). With all-wheel drive, it costs $64,995, a reduction of $2,250. By opting for the larger battery that extends range, prices are now $66,995 and $69,995 respectively, resulting in reductions of $11,000 and $10,250.
The California Route 1 eAWD Extended Range version has been reduced by $9,125 to $69,995 as well. Finally, the GT Performance Edition Extended Range is now $82,995, down from $9,750.
Photo: Marc Lachapelle
The entry-level Select version, which makes the Mustang Mach-E eligible for the federal subsidy of $5,000 as well as that of Quebec of $7,000, remains displayed with an MSRP of $56,995.
Note that Mustang Mach-Es with standard autonomy will now carry lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. Depending on the number of drive wheels, they can travel up to 402 or 364 km (instead of 397 or 360 km). And in the case of the all-wheel-drive variant, a gain of 45 horsepower is even on the program.
Production of the Mustang Mach-E will increase substantially in the second half of 2023, as Mexico’s Cuautitlán plant has undergone upgrades allowing for increased capacity. Delivery times will be shortened, but how much remains to be seen.