WATCH | From V8's to electric sacrilege! Could the new Mustang Mach-E SUV be Ford's golden child? | Life

19 Nov 2019

<i>Image: Ford Motor Company</i>

Ford is expanding the Mustang lineup with the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, now standing among the sports coupe, convertible and special editions.

The Mustang first roared into the hearts of many back in 1964 and it has become an ever-present across the world.

The Mustang as an SUV?

"At the first-ever Detroit auto show, Henry Ford said he was working on something that would strike like forked lightning," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.

WATCH | Ford teases new electric Mustang Mach-E SUV

"That was the Model T. Today, the Ford Motor Company is proud to unveil a car that strikes like forked lightning all over again. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E. It’s fast. It’s fun. It’s freedom. For a new generation of Mustang owners," he added.

Zero gas. Zero emissions. 100% exhilaration.

Tap to be among the first to reserve the all-new, all-electric #MustangMachE.
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) November 18, 2019

It will be available with standard and extended-range battery options with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive powered by permanent magnet motors. In addition, the SUV boasts an estimated range of at least 482km (300 miles) with a targeted power figure of 247kW and 565Nm in extended-range all-wheel-drive configuration.

There will also be two performance versions on offer - the GT and GT Performance Edition - to rival the likes of the Porsche Macan Turbo and 911 GTS. Both versions have estimate power figures of 342kW and 830Nm.

German aim

The GT is targeting 0-100km/h in under 4-seconds, faster than a Macan Turbo off the line while the Performance Edition aims to do the 0-100km/h sprint in the mid-3-second range - comparable to a Porsche 911 GTS.

Image: Ford Motor Company

Making its debut in the Mach-E is the next-generation SYNC 15.5-inch screen communications and entertainment system, a sleek and modern interface that uses machine learning to quickly learn drivers’ preferences, and gets even better over time thanks to advanced over-the-air updates.

"Next-generation SYNC actively starts adapting to you as soon as you start using it, quickly learning your preferences and making personalized suggestions," said Darren Palmer, Ford global director for battery electric vehicles.

"It can suggest going to the gym if it learns Mondays are workout days or calling home if you do that every day after work. The result is a cloud-connected assistant and interface that’s intuitive, beautiful and ready for the future thanks to fast over-the-air updates," he added.

Battery and range

It will be available in standard (75.7 kWh lithium-ion battery) and extended-range (98.8 kWh battery), with an estimated range of at least 482km in rear-wheel-drive configuration.

Compiled by: Robin Classen

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