Ford Mustang Mach-ENadine Filion News about Fords 2021 Mustang Mach-E electric SUV keeps breaking every day, pointing to ever-more ambitious plans for the model. After shipping it to dealers late 2020, the automaker plans to sell 50,000 examples globally through 2021, reports the Detroit News for context, Nissans Leaf managed 30,000 units in its best year. A performance-spec Shelby version is allegedly in the works, too.And Ford Europe design chief Murat Gueler admits some execs have even talked about building a family around the Mustang name. This is, of course, assuming Mustang enthusiasts, pitchforks and torches in hand, havent by then burned Dearborn to the ground for sticking the name of the iconic pony car on an electric SUV in the first place.Yes, the reaction to the Blue Oval calling the Mach-E a Mustang has been simply calamitous. Even with Ford bringing on the charismatic Idris Elba as a brand ambassador, the backlash has been unrelenting.No fewer than four petitions for the name to be changed have been launched; promises have hurriedly come down from Ford execs that youll be convinced once you drive it; and a survey of social media shows fans of rival muscle cars from General Motors and Mopar have even sympathetically relaxed or resisted their usual trolling of Mustang owners.There have been, arguably, early warnings Ford holds no name completely sacred. In 1967, the company turned its Thunderbird, once a two-seat roadster, into a marshmallow-y four-door luxury sedan; 10 years later the vaunted Mercury Cougar muscle car badge would show up on a station wagon.Then again, those marques didnt jump from gasoline to electric power, or from car to sport utility.‘Making the Mustang Mach-E’A few days after its launch, Ford released this video about the Mustang Mach-Es development, featuring several executives, engineers, designers and Mustang fans.The company doesnt hide that the group behind the vehicle, Team Edison, didnt start out with the intent to make their new EV product a Mustang, pinning the inspiration for bringing the haloed brand into it on Jim Farley, president of new business and technology.The video shows us, too, that Mach-Es being labelled Mustang faced plenty of scepticism from inside the company, even from executive chairman Bill Ford himself, who was absolutely adamant that it not be a Mustang.But, as you might expect of a piece of apologia like this, by the end of the 20-minute clip, all those Doubting Thomases have been convinced, turned onto the thought this noiseless four-door could be a Mustang after all.The film finishes with the fans take, sage words to the effect progress cant be stopped, and that itd be kind of neat to see Mustang on the flanks of a spaceship a hundred years from now.The argument against Mach-E — from a Ford insiderBut the argument doesnt stop there just because the credits roll; in fact, Driving.ca managed to tap for an exclusive interview a Mustang subject matter expert working for Ford who vows the Mach-E is not a Mustang. End of story. If you ask them, this is instead a marketing gimmick gone wrong.Mustang was used for publicity purposes; its as simple as that, writes our insider, whose identity were keeping hidden to save them from a possible reprisal by their employer. We can all see Ford did not have faith in the vehicle to live on its own. If they did, they would have given it a separate name. Mustang Family Photo, but one of these things is not like the others The Mustang enthusiast community, they suggest, is not opposed to progress, just what they take as a flagrant disregard for the Mustang brand. We are not upset about it being electric. Fact is, electric (power) gives us instantaneous torque, and that is pretty darn great. We are upset about it turning into a completely different vehicle segment within a brand that already has multiple SUVs.Porsche didnt slap a 911 on their SUV. Lamborghini didnt call their SUV a Murcilago. Was introducing an SUV within those brands polarizing? Absolutely. But, at least they didnt sacrifice a name that means so much to people.There are few counter-arguments our insider, a lifelong Mustang fan, cant refute. People have claimed Ford experimented with four-door and station wagon (Mustang) designs in the early 60s, they explain. Although this is true, (Ford) chose not to pursue these body styles because they claimed it went against Mustangs mission to be a sporty vehicle. When you have a product as enormously successful as Mustang, you invariably have to consider how to capitalize on the idea. While Mustang used the platform of the compact Falcon as its starting point, the four-door Mustang could have brought the idea full circle by adding two doors to the pony car. Fortunately for Mustang fans, cooler heads prevailed. Ford That feeling of a loss of identity may be the strongest argument against the pony badge being slapped onto the face of the Mach-E if not, the pony badge itself is. The
Origin: Ford insiders make the case for – and against – the Mach-E being named ‘Mustang’
‘Mach-E’
News Roundup: Tesla Cybertruck and Ford Mustang Mach-E vie for biggest EV reveal of the year
Welcome to our weekly roundup of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.Here’s what you missed while you were away:Tesla reveals Cybertruck, breaks two windows in the processThe Cybertruck is here and it’s getting ALL the media attention. Price starts US$39,900, there are three range options (250 miles+, 300+ and 500+), and it’ll supposedly sprint to 96 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. But that’s not what people are talking about. Why? Because, well, just look at it! The polarizing design of the Cybertruck was actually eclipsed when a member of the reveal team, in an attempt to demonstrate the shatterproof-ness of the windows, accidentally shattered the two left-side windows with an iron ball. “Room for improvement,” said Elon. The Mach-E stole the LA Auto Show before the show had even started Ford Mustang Mach-E Nadine Filion In other major EV news this week, Ford pulled the sheets off its Mustang Mach-E SUV. David Booth rounded up the most important facts about the controversial “Mustang.” Did you know that it was originally supposed to be called just “Mach-e”? True story. But when designers wanted to spring on a new battery-powered platform, those with their fingers on the purse strings said they’d release the funds only if the Mustang label was involved. Find out what other secrets the new E-SUV holds right here. The Internet’s best reactions to the Mach-E arrival Ford Mustang Mach-E Nadine Filion As it is wont to do, the Internet voiced some strong opinions about the Ford Mach-E. One of the most controversial parts is right there in the name—and according to Driving.ca’s own poll, a full 72 per cent of readers believe that, now having seen it, the Mach-E is not worthy of the Mustang name. The public wasn’t the only source of concern over the name, either: Ford admitted at the launch that plenty of former Mustang designers refused to work on the project. One Twitter user got in on the joke by Photoshopping an image of the Carrol Shelby standing next to a black-and-white Mach-E. Ha! Not likely…The RAV4 Prime arrives with a whopping 302 horsepowerThe 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid has arrived with the winning combo of more power and better fuel economy. The first plug-in-hybrid version of the popular Yota SUV will get 60 km of pure electric motoring per charge of its 17.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, and enough power combined with the 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four to push it to 96 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Based on the 62,000 RAV4 units Toyota expects to sell to Canadians this year, the electrified 2021 RAV4 should absolutely crush sales when it’s released in the summer of 2020. ALG report names best car brands for resale valueWe’ve all heard the maxim about new cars losing a bunch of their value the moment they’re driven off the dealership lot, but it’s also true that the exact amount of money lost varies depending on the brand of car. The annual ALG Residual Awards is designed to recognize those carmakers whose products tend to guard their value better than the competition. At the top of the mainstream list is Honda, which stole the title from Subaru, which had held it the last four years. Land Rover took top mention for premium brands, followed by Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Find out if/where your vehicle landed on the
Origin: News Roundup: Tesla Cybertruck and Ford Mustang Mach-E vie for biggest EV reveal of the year
Wild horses: The internet reacts to Ford’s 2021 Mustang Mach-E
Unless youve been living under an especially virulent rock, it will not have escaped your notice that Ford introduced the all-electric Mustang Mach-E earlier this week in Los Angeles. Any serious entrant into the EV market is a big deal these days, especially one from the Detroit Three, a group frequently accused (sometimes unfairly) of being perpetually behind the eight-ball.This alone would have undoubtedly set tongues wagging. Once the build team confirmed they decided to call this all-electric crossover a Mustang, the conversation went into orbit.Public reaction was as swift as it was predictable. Online comments from the Twitterverse ranged from an SUV is not a Mustang, to this will not resonate. One user proclaimed the Mustang Mach E to be an Edsel-level failure in terms of marketing, a comment that will surely sting anyone at the Blue Oval whos read that particular case study.Now that its been revealed, how do you feel about Ford calling the Mach-E a Mustang? #MustangMachE driving.ca (@drivingdotca) November 18, 2019The EV Association of Alberta, not exactly a group given to wild and untamed pronouncements, said on Twitter Ford certainly took a risk naming it after the iconic sports car at a minimum, it has sparked much conversation. We hope the vehicle sells for Ford, but perhaps a different name would have avoided alienating a large number of Ford fansThat statement is one of the more measured and thoughtful weve seen; its also the most correct. Ford did take a plunge into the unknown by affixing the Mustang name to this car, a decision that has indeed sparked much conversation. There is a case to be made Ford knew it needed all the buzz they could get after all, the Glass House does not enjoy the same rabid fan base as a certain other EV company whose name begins with T and ends in esla.In a sidebar with Automotive News, it apparently took a great deal of convincing to get Bill Ford himself on board with calling the Mach-E a Mustang. I certainly wasnt sold at the beginning far from it, said Ford to AN. I said, No, Im sorry, I dont want to hurt the brand. This is not going to be a Mustang.So what changed? A lap in an early prototype, apparently. After absorbing the specs on paper, Bill Ford said he saw the performance characteristics and driving dynamics evolve as time went on to the point where he could concede Yeah, this is a Mustang.Not everyone was on board, apparently. Our own feet on the ground during the cars introduction told us that, during the product presentation, Ford copped to the fact a few Mustang boffins within the company were decidedly hands-off. When a reporter asked You selected a pretty wide and talented team of previous Mustang engineers to work on this Mach-E. Were there any that were asked to work on the project and refused? the answer from Ford was Oh, definitely, an admission that definitely falls in the category of Things That Make You Go Hmmm.Vintage behind-the-scenes photograph of Carroll Shelby and the Ford Mustang SHELB-E during the filming of Ford vs Tesla. (Non colorized) pic.twitter.com/SmT7nAm6xd McMike (@_McMike_) November 19, 2019Theres been a proliferation of nicknames for the SUV already, including the obvious papier mâché pun, plus suggestions for alternatives. If the petition to change the name from “Mustang Mach E” reaches the ears of higher-ups at FoMoCo, perhaps theyll consider instead calling it the Lincoln Mark-E, or, as writer Rory Carroll offered on Twitter, the Galax-E.Well leave the final word to jokester McMike on Twitter, who mashed up a photo of a young Carroll Shelby standing next to the Mach-E. A pair of EV crossovers, both with boatloads of chutzpah and similar all-electric range? Ford vs. Tesla,
Origin: Wild horses: The internet reacts to Ford’s 2021 Mustang Mach-E
5 things you need to know about the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
LOS ANGELES, California — As if calling an SUV a battery-powered one, at that a Mustang doesnt already foist an uphill challenge on this new model, Fords 2021 Mach-E also has to strip sales away from Tesla, prove to Ford shareholders that there really is a mass market for mid-priced electric vehicles and, at the same time, prepare the ultimate of Ford loyalists F-150 owners for the inevitable electrification of their pickup trucks.Thats a pretty steep ask. Heres how Ford plans to do it, plus some background info you just need to know.Ford was first going to just call it “Mach-E”Rumour round the L.A. Auto Show has it Ford originally tried to build the Mach-E on an existing that should be read gas-powered platform, but the engineers couldnt hit their range and performance targets.CHECK OUT ALL OUR LATEST AUTO SHOW COVERAGESo they made a deal with the devil, asking Fords accountants for more money so they could build a bespoke battery-powered chassis. The tithe exacted by the bean-counters? That they name it Mustang so they could build on the name recognition of probably the most famous Ford of all time. Which explains whyFord wants to move a boatload of its electrified sport bruteThis is no halo vehicle or vanity project. Ford is looking to move some (battery-powered) iron, here. I count, for instance, no less than nine distinct trim levels across the Mach-Es five models Select (available early 2021), Premium (late 2020), First Edition (also late 2020), California Route 1 (early 2021) and GT Performance (spring 2021). Thats a huge number of trims from a company that prides itself on efficient manufacturing. The only way to amortize the cost of that proliferation is to sell boatloads of product, which also explains whyFord is sticking it with impressively aggressive pricingBase (Select trim) Mach-Es will start at $50,495 and, unlike Elons $35,000 Model 3, youll actually be able to buy them at that price from launch. Even the all-singing, all-dancing GT Performance Edition will slip in under $83,000 (yes, these prices are all Canadian).Again, Ford plans to move a bunch of Mach-Es in preparation for what will surely be its real heavy-hitter in the EV world, an electrified F-150. The first two models available the Premium and California Route 1 will start at $59,495 (for the standard-range version of the Premium) and $64,495 (for the Route 1 and its extended-range battery). In between Ford’s offering a vast array of powertrain and battery optionsRunning through the Mach-Es order guide is like feasting at the ultimate of electric vehicle buffets. Want a rear-wheel-drive BEV with a big battery that maximizes range? Mach-Es got the California Route 1. Want an all-wheel-drive with a cheaper battery but better performance? Well, Ford has a Premium SR AWD with your name on it that can scoot to 100 clicks in about five-and-a-half-seconds.Wading through the vast array of options and combinations will make your head spin, so Ill attempt to simplify it all for you. There are basically two battery options: a standard-range (SR) 75.7-kilowatt-hour affair; and an extended-range (ER) 98.8-kWh monster.Combine the extended-range unit with a modestly-powered (282-hp) rear-wheel drivetrain and you have the 475-kilometre California Route 1. Package the same 98.8-kilowatt-hour ER hardware with 459 all-wheel-driving horses and you have the GT Performance with its three-and-a-half-second blitz to 100 kilometres an hour (though range is reduced to 375 km).The Premium, which looks to be the backbone of Fords sales effort, can be had with any combination of long- and short-range battery and rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive powertrains you want, in 255-, 282- and yet another iteration 332-horsepower guises.Dizzy yet? Like the California, the First Edition (which will exact something of a premium $71,995 for its limited quantities) is only available with the extended-range battery, but drives all four wheels with less urge (332 hp) than the GT Performance, resulting in yet another range rating, this time 425 kilometres.Theres a Mach-E for every purse and purpose, and the only way Ford can do this at these (comparatively) aggressive prices is to sell dealerships full of them. 2021 is going to be very interesting for Fords bottom line.The big question, then, is where Ford will find all the zero-emissions enthusiasts to fill Mach-E seats. Its first course of action duh, look at the name, Dave is obviously loyalists. Now whether this means past patrons of Ford in general or of Mustang in particular is anybodys guess.Certainly branding a sport utility vehicle Mustang when it shares nothing but a grille shape and some taillights with your iconic sports car is a brave that should be read risky move. I do think, however, that while Mustang cognoscenti may prove outraged, current Ford owners looking for their first EV will appreciate the tie-up. Theres no doubt Ford also has Tesla firmly in its sights.
Origin: 5 things you need to know about the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s new electric crossover will officially be named ‘Mustang Mach-E’
Ford’s all-new Mustang-inspired fully-electric performance utility arrives in 2020 with targeted range of 480 kms.Handout / Ford Ford will be expanding its Mustang range to include its new all-electric crossover or at least, thats what its officially naming the SUV the Mustang Mach-E suggests.Rumours of the “Mach-E” part of the name have been circulating for a long while, but this is the first hard confirmation weve got the crossover will also wear a Mustang badge.Reaction to the announcement was understandably mixed it didnt sit well with many critics whod pointed out there’s never been an electric Mustang before, nor a crossover-bodied example. Crossing the trendy new powertrain and volume-seller body style was just a little irreverent for some who see Mustang as a hallowed marque.To assuage their worries, Fords brought on none other than Idris Elba as a sort of brand ambassador for the new vehicle; the actor himself used to work on a Ford assembly line once upon a time. The long-awaited but controversial new crossover will make its debut just ahead of the Los Angeles auto show, via a livestream at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 17.At the presentations conclusion, Ford will immediately open up a configurator tool where prospective Mach-E customers can spec their electric Mustang and put down a US$500 deposit to reserve one. Order forms will formally open up next
Origin: Ford’s new electric crossover will officially be named ‘Mustang Mach-E’
Ford’s Mustang-inspired ‘Mach-E’ SUV to debut in November
A teaser of the Ford Mach E electric SUVFord Ford will finally pull the covers off of its Mach E electric utility vehicle in November, just ahead of the L.A. Auto Show late in the month, the automaker said late October. The reveal date will be November 17, about a week before the big show in the very-green-car-centric state.The long-talked-about Mustang-inspired battery-driven SUV has the potential to be a hit in California, one of North Americas largest markets for EVs, so the report has real legs.A reveal like this could have been held over for the Detroit auto show in January in the past, but with that show moving to June, now, automakers may be stacking a few big unveils up for L.A.Weve also heard rumours the 2021 Bronco may peek out from under the sheets in L.A., too, though it feels like a reveal that big would be more suited to Detroit. Of course, theres always a chance Ford might pull off both in L.A., or give us a big teaser of the much-anticipated off-road SUV.We dont much about the Mach E just yet, save for its battery range, said to be in excess of 300 miles (480 km). Expectations are for the electric SUV to start production in April 2020 before showing up in dealerships in December with a price tag circa US$40,000.Wed assume Ford will offer a number of different versions of the thing, too, and a variety of battery pack sizes at different price points.Meanwhile, other rumours pin the Audi eTron Sportbacks reveal at the L.A. Auto Show,
Origin: Ford’s Mustang-inspired ‘Mach-E’ SUV to debut in November
Ford’s Mustang-inspired ‘Mach-E’ SUV could debut November: rumours
Ford’s all-new Mustang-inspired fully-electric performance utility arrives in 2020 with targeted range of 480 kms.Handout / Ford Ford may finally be pulling the covers off of its Mach E electric utility vehicle in November, at the L.A. Auto Show late in the month, according to a recent report.Rumours first covered by blog Seeking Alpha put the alleged reveal date at November 19, just before the big show in the very-green-car-centric state.The long-talked-about Mustang-inspired battery-driven SUV has the potential to be a hit in California, one of North Americas largest markets for EVs, so the report has real legs.A reveal like this could have been held over for the Detroit auto show in January in the past, but with that show moving to June, now, automakers may be stacking a few big unveils up for L.A. Weve also heard rumours the 2021 Bronco may peek out from under the sheets in L.A., too, though it feels like a reveal that big would be more suited to Detroit. Of course, theres always a chance Ford might pull off both in L.A., or give us a big teaser of the much-anticipated SUV.We dont much about the Mach E just yet, save for its battery range, said to be in excess of 300 miles (480 km). Expectations are for the electric SUV to start production in April 2020 before showing up in dealerships in December with a price tag circa US$40,000.Wed assume Ford will offer a number of different versions of the thing, too, and a variety of battery pack sizes at different price points.The same Seeking Alpha report pins the Audi eTron Sportbacks reveal at the L.A. Auto Show,
Origin: Ford’s Mustang-inspired ‘Mach-E’ SUV could debut November: rumours
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