The new GT version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E will deliver substantially better range than the automaker originally estimated — the EPA rating the high-performance package at up to 270 miles per charge.
That’s 20 miles more than what Ford initially claimed for the Mach-E GT. Meanwhile, the Mach-E GT Performance Edition will deliver 260 miles per charge, up from Ford’s original estimate of 235 miles.
“We already pushed the envelope by creating an electric vehicle with the pony badge, so it’s only natural that we push it even further,” said Darren Palmer, Ford’s global director for battery electric vehicles. “Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition not only gives you the added performance you expect from the GT name, but accentuates the thrill with the responsiveness of an all-electric powertrain.”
Charging up the market
The electric “pony car” received something of a mixed response when Ford first unveiled it in November 2019 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Some traditional fans lamented the idea of going electric, others disturbed to see an SUV wearing the familiar Mustang badge. But since the base and mid-range models went on sale late last year, the Mustang Mach-E has scored a solid hit. It has taken market share away from Tesla and helped power the 95% jump in overall U.S. sales of plug-based vehicles during the first four months of 2021.
Several factors have played out for Ford. Despite the concern of traditionalists, the crossover design comes at a time when SUVs have come to dominate the American market. And the initial models have come in with some of the best range numbers of any new battery-electric models. Depending upon the trim level and battery pack, the original front- and all-wheel drive Mach-E models delivered EPA numbers of 211 to 305 miles per charge.
The new GT models don’t quite match what the Tesla Model Y Performance model delivers, at 303 miles, but they remain contenders in the emerging electric muscle car segment.
The “standard” GT, meanwhile, punches out 480 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. The Performance Edition bumps the torque number up to 634 lb-ft, enough, Ford says, to launch from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. The special edition gets some additional help from stock Pirelli summer tires, the stock GT coming with all-season rubber.
Going head-to-head with Tesla
That’s about the same as the Tesla crossover with its performance package making 456 hp and 497 lb-ft of torque. Preliminary reviews have also faulted some aspects of the Tesla crossover’s handling. Initial reviews of the Mustang GT and GT Performance Edition are not yet available.
Ford has been taking advance orders for the Mustang Mach-E GT. It said Wednesday it will now take orders for the Performance Edition — and let those with existing orders upgrade.
The GT will start at $61,000, the Performance Edition at $66,000. Those figures don’t factor in the current $7,500 in federal tax credits, nor do they include delivery fees and taxes.
Deliveries are expected to begin this autumn.