Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally: Electrifying Adventure Unveiled
Prepare to embark on an electrifying odyssey as the world braces itself to witness the unparalleled prowess and agility of electric vehicles; all unveiled in a stunning revelation: the Ford Mustang Mach-E® Rally.
Emerging from the shadows, it stands exposed in all its unadulterated glory for the first time beneath the spotlight's embrace at the grand stage of IAA Mobility, Munich. A global audience initially saw this marvel during the breathtaking Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year. Now, the Mustang Mach-E Rally joins the distinguished Mustang Mach-E family, steering electric vehicles into uncharted territories. It is the first-ever rally-inspired EV to emerge from the hallowed halls of Ford, showing the spirit of Mustang freedom and exhilaration onto the rugged terrain of dirt roads.
A mere twelve months ago, this vision was nought. Still, a whisper of possibility, and what materializes before our eyes today is a testament to the enthusiasm and boundless creativity of the Model E team. Donna Dickson, the chief engineer of Mustang Mach-E, is not shy to acknowledge this feat: "We have forever charted new frontiers of performance, and with the fusion of a rally-honed suspension, a dual-motor electric powerhouse, and an aesthetic that is nothing short of wicked, the Mustang Mach‑E Rally embodies a unique form of performance vehicle that promises to ignite the adventurous spirit within our customers."
In electric vehicle technology, the Mustang Mach-E Rally 1 burst forth, an untapped canvas awaiting its electrifying masterpiece. It proudly boasts a meticulously tuned iteration of the Mustang Mach-E GT's powertrain, endowed with a dual-motor layout that unleashes a staggering minimum of 880 Nm of torque and 358 kW of unbridled power. The heart of this beast is a lithium-ion battery boasting a capacity of 91 kWh (usable).
Its stance is formidable, raised 20 millimetres above its sibling, the Mustang Mach‑E GT, fortified with purpose-tuned springs, MagneRide® shocks, and 385‑millimeter front brake discs, each adorned with fiery red-painted Brembo®-branded callipers.
As the rubber meets the dirt road, the Mustang Mach-E Rally dons the garb of durability with gleaming, gloss-white 19-inch rally-style alloy wheels, paying homage to the rich heritage of Ford's rally lineage. These wheels wear the trusty 235/55 R19 Michelin CrossClimate2 tires, which bestow greater sidewall resilience and enhanced grip on unruly terrain, a stark departure from the GT's tarmac embrace.
The pièce de résistance is the inaugural RallySport Drive Mode 6, a revolutionary addition to the Ford lineup, meticulously designed for conquering off-road domains. It reconfigures electronic control systems to permit exhilarating slides, bequeaths a linear throttle response for absolute control, and embraces more aggressive damping to master those treacherous curves. As a bonus, it transforms the Mustang Mach-E Rally into a snow-savvy warrior, excelling even in the slipperiest on-road conditions, thanks to its harmonious marriage with the new tires.
To put the Mustang Mach-E Rally through its paces, Ford meticulously crafted an all-new rally course within its Michigan Proving Ground. A team of seasoned rallycross veterans sculpted this course to mirror the harsh realities of real-world terrain. Engineers and technicians subjected the Mustang Mach-E Rally prototypes to an 800-kilometre crucible, replicating the gruelling conditions of rally-cross durability trials, ensuring the vehicle's unwavering fidelity to their design vision.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally exudes the essence of a rally warrior, adorned with a striking rear spoiler reminiscent of the ferocious Focus® RS, complete with distinctive contrasting accents that grace upper and lower body mouldings. A unique front splitter takes centre stage, while a black-painted steel roof adds a touch of mystique. At the front, a purpose-built fascia houses rally-inspired fog lights, adding a bold and functional touch. The Mustang Mach-E Rally is not complete without its signature racing stripes, standard on every model, harmoniously complementing a vibrant colour palette that includes Grabber Blue, Shadow Black, Eruption Green, and the eye-catching Grabber Yellow, with optional Star White or the all-new Glacier Gray available at an extra cost.
Step inside the cockpit, where comfort, utility, and style converge, mirroring the iconic white wheels. Gloss white accents adorn the dash and the lower spokes of the steering wheel, elegantly contrasted by stitching that adorns the door panels. Strapping themselves into the Ford-designed performance seats, drivers will find glossy white seatbacks bearing the prestigious "Mach-E Rally" logo embossed into the seating surface.
Jim Farley, the Ford chief executive officer, proclaims, "Mustang Mach-E Rally places Ford's decades-long ardour for rally championships on a global stage right into the hands of our cherished customers. It propels the Mustang into uncharted territory, traversing gravel and dirt roads with unwavering grace. It is an ode to true driving enthusiasts, a symphony of sensations for the sheer joy of driving."
The much-anticipated Mustang Mach-E Rally will beckon orders in early 2024, and the thrill of delivery will follow shortly after that. Brace yourselves, for a new era of electrifying adventure awaits.
