Ford Mustang Mach-E goes off-road: meet the Mach-E Rally

Ford just announced the Mustang Mach-E Rally, answering the prayers of those craving an electric vehicle with a hint of raw adrenaline.

It’s clear that traditional car manufacturers are beginning to understand electric isn’t all about being green. It's about amping up the thrill factor, too. Shortly after Volkswagen unveiled its sporty ID.GTI, Ford decided to roll the dice with a beefed-up, off-road version of the Mach-E.

The Mach-E Rally comes with Shelby-esque racing stripes that adorn the hood and a glossy black-painted steel roof. Upper and lower body moldings, rear spoiler, protective shields for both front and rear motors, a front splitter, and - get this - rally-inspired fog lights. And for those with a penchant for getting stuck in the odd muddy patch, there's a handy front-end recovery point with a hook. Because, you know, sometimes the road less traveled is a bit...muddy.

Ford is aiming for a minimum of 480 hp and a staggering 650 lb-ft of torque. And if you're thinking, "Isn't that just like the Mach-E GT?" Well, you're right. It matches, if not surpasses, its city-going sibling. The Rally stands 20mm taller than the GT, rocks some expertly tuned springs, and even boasts MagneRide shocks. Braking? It's got 385mm front brake rotors complemented by flashy red Brembo-branded calipers.

Battery concerns? Ford's got it covered. An estimated 250 miles of range is what they're shooting for, backed by a 91kWh battery. Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes a mere 36 minutes on a DC fast charger. Not too bad at all.

If you're itching to take this beast off-road, Ford's got your back with their first-ever "RallySport Drive Mode." More aggressive damping on those unpredictable terrains, and added yaw for slides that'll make your heart race, plus a linear throttle response. Plus, the new tires are designed specifically to conquer slick roads, including snowy terrains.

Inside, don’t expect any camping-like simplicity. It's high-tech galore with Ford's BlueCruise hands-free tech and additional features like Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning. While the interior bears a striking resemblance to other Mach-E variants, this one throws in performance seats and sleek gloss white accents.

It might be worth mentioning, though, that the Mach-E Rally isn't exactly a featherweight. Expect it to tip the scales at around 5,000 lb. So, while it's ready to get down and dirty off-road, it's not exactly tiptoeing on the trails.

So, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the price tag. Ford hints at a starting MSRP of about $65,000 in the US. Exact figures will be spilled closer to its release, which for those marking calendars, is in early 2024.

The Mustang Mach-E Rally might seem more coherent than the Mach-E GT because the base vehicle is inherently an SUV, not a sprightly sports car. So, the Rally, raised and rugged, seems to wear its identity a tad bit better. And a whole lot brighter thanks to that in-your-face yellow finish.

Source