Ford Mustang Mach-E gets power bump as orders open

July 1, 2020July 6, 2020 Iain Curry 6226 Views electriccar, electricsuv, ev, ford, Mustang, mustangmach-e, news, Range

As order books opened in North America today for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, an unexpected treat greeted those signing up: a healthy boost in power and torque.

When originally announced, the Extended-range all-wheel-drive version was expected to offer 240kW and 565Nm, but Ford has upped the ante with the promise of 258kW and 580Nm.

Other models in the Mach-E range have also been promised power bumps, including the Extended range rear-wheel-drive (now 216kW/430Nm); Standard range all-wheel-drive (198kW/580Nm) and Standard range rear-wheel-drive (198kW/430Nm).

Ford did not revise its estimates on the Mustang Mach-E’s range, with the maximum remaining the Extended-range rear-wheel-drive version’s 483km.

We’re familiar with Tesla offering over-the-air updates – where software is updated via the internet – throughout their life while in owners’ hands, but this is an interesting example of rapid development and improvements offered before owners get close to receiving their vehicles.

It follows Ford saying earlier this year the Mustang Mach-E would charge 30 per cent faster than previously thought. Sweeteners indeed to follow through with a reservation.

“These better-than-estimated performance figures show that our team is squeezing every last bit of performance out of this vehicle so that it not only delivers Mustang style but Mustang soul as well,” said Ron Heiser, Mustang Mach-E chief program engineer.

Making an electric SUV with the iconic Mustang badge attached has obviously polarised opinion, but like it or not, the all-electric Mustang will begin hitting streets in the USA by the end of 2020.

Prices start at $43,895 ($63,500 Australian) before the USA’s generous tax credit, while the range-topping Mach-E GT starts at $60,500 ($87,500 Australian). The latter offers a 0-100km/h time in the mid three-seconds – up there with anything Shelby could manage with a supercharged V8 Mustang.

Will Australia receive the plug-in Mustang? Right-hand-drive versions are confirmed for the UK market later in 2020, so it seems ludicrous we’d not see them in our showrooms. A Ford engineer revealed to us the Mustang Mach-E would indeed be sold in Australia, but bosses remain tight-lipped for now.

Ford Australia’s Matt Moran said they had no updates to share, and refused to be drawn on whether the Mustang Mach-E would be a positive addition to Australia’s Mustang range, or if they’d take it if it became available.

“We’re thrilled by the performance of the Mustang brand, from our range-topping R-Spec to the V8 GT to the 2.3-litre EcoBoost, but at this time, we can’t share any announcements regarding Mach-E in Australia.”

Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.