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The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but dealers say it is on track for local showroom arrivals next year given it is factory-built in right-hand drive and already sold in the UK and New Zealand. We got a taste of what to expect during the lead-up to the 2022 Detroit auto show.
What we don’t
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GTYes, we know the Ford Mustang Mach-E isn't a real Ford Mustang. It's an electric SUV with Mustang styling themes and a handful of Mustang badges. Indeed, during the early design phase, this vehicle started life as a generic mid-size SUV, until one of the Ford big wigs thought the company would sell more if it borrowed the Mustang name and appearance. Which is why, although the side profile of the vehicle could be any other SUV, the front and rear Mustang design cues appear to have been grafted on. While Mustang diehards are busy breaking keyboards to express their anger, Ford has adopted a more pragmatic approach. Ford argues the Mach-E (a nod to the Mach 1 V8 Mustangs, and 'E' for electric) shares the spirit and the performance DNA of its muscle car, even if it lacks the exhaust note and raw appeal. As it happens, the most powerful variant of the Ford Mustang Mach-E is quicker than the Ford Mustang GT V8 by some considerable margin. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is factory-built in right-hand drive, sold in the UK and New Zealand, but Ford Australia is yet to confirm if it is coming Down Under. Drive has been told by dealer sources the Ford Mustang Mach-E is locked in for Australia, but the car giant is reportedly taking its time with the approval process and paperwork. The other reason Ford Australia is not in a rush: the Mustang Mach-E is sold out in the US, where waiting times stretch up to six months. We got to preview the Mustang Mach-E during a brief test drive in the lead-up to this year's Detroit auto show, after Ford invited a group of international media – including Drive – to sample this and other US models. How much does the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT cost?The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is available in the US from $US46,985 ($AU69,800) to $US63,575 ($AU94,500) from the base model rear-drive to the mid-grade extended-range all-wheel drive. We tested the all-wheel-drive GT edition (starting from $US69,895 or $AU103,895 plus on-road costs), which has brisker performance and an extended-range battery. The base-model rear-drive has outputs of 198kW and 430Nm, a claimed 0–100km/h performance of 6.1 seconds, and 440km maximum driving range on a full charge. The mid-grade all-wheel drive with an extended battery pack has outputs of 258kW and 580Nm, a claimed 0–100km/h performance of 5.7 seconds, and 540km maximum driving range on a full charge. The top of the line all-wheel-drive GT with an extended battery pack has outputs of 358kW and 813Nm, a claimed 0–97km/h (0–60mph) performance of 3.8 seconds, and 500km maximum driving range on a full charge. The GT Performance Pack has the same power as the GT, but torque is bumped to 860Nm and the 0–97km/h (0–60mph) claim is 3.5 seconds. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT tested in our main preview drive was equipped with standard suspension, though we got to sample a model with magnetically controlled dampers after commenting on how stiff the GT felt, even on smooth roads. New Zealand has three model grades of the Ford Mustang Mach-E (RWD, AWD, and GT). However, it's worth noting the magnetic suspension – which is optional in the US – is standard on the GT in New Zealand. Here's hoping Ford Australia makes the same decision if the Mach-E makes it Down Under. How much space does the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT have inside?The Ford Mustang Mach-E is larger than a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Australia's top-selling SUV – inside and out, but smaller than a Toyota Kluger seven-seater. The cargo hold is huge, but the trade-off for that is the lack of a spare tyre. Instead, there is a tyre-inflator kit under the boot floor. The back seat split-folds to create an even larger load space. With all seats in position, the second row has sufficient room for heads, shoulders, knees and toes (under the front seats); however, it is more comfortable as a four-seater rather than a five-seater. And, as is the case with most electric cars, the Mach-E has a decent sized 'frunk' (front trunk if the term is new to you) that can accommodate a couple of travel bags or a decent haul of shopping.
Does the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT have Apple CarPlay?The infotainment command centre is a massive 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen in the centre of the dash – and some of these functions can also be viewed on the 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. In the US, radio frequencies for AM and FM are standard; however, digital radio is not mentioned. Smartphone connection is wireless for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is embedded navigation. There is also a wireless smartphone charging pad. It is unclear if some or all of these functions will be fitted to examples sold in Australia. The touchscreen is supported by well-placed buttons and dials, which are safer and easier to use on the move when your eyes are on the road. The test car was equipped with premium audio, but we didn't get to turn up – or test out – the sound. Is the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT a safe car?The Ford Mustang Mach-E was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2021 and awarded a five-star rating. In addition to crash-avoidance technology, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is equipped with seven airbags, including a twin-pillow centre airbag mounted on the inside edge of the driver seat to minimise head-strike between two front-seat occupants. This crash-test video shows how the airbags deploy in severe front and side impacts. What safety technology does the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT have?The Ford Mustang Mach-E has every available piece of modern safety technology, including autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, speed-sign recognition, individual tyre pressure monitors, front and rear parking sensors, and either a rear-view or 360-degree camera. As mentioned above, there is also a twin-pillow centre airbag between the front seats. How much does the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT cost to maintain?Servicing cost estimates are not listed on the Ford US website, and Ford New Zealand is yet to publish menu pricing for routine maintenance for the Mustang Mach-E. However, most petrol or diesel Ford vehicles have service intervals of 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first). Although electric vehicles require less maintenance, they still need a regular check-up for fluids, brake wear, and basics such as wiper blades.
Is the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT energy-efficient?Our test drive was limited to an hour of stop-start driving on primarily urban roads. Because we were sampling the acceleration and also spent long periods of time stopped while doing video, we did not get a fair indication of energy consumption. That said, the claimed energy-use figure of 25kWh/100km is higher than, say, a Tesla Model Y or the latest electric cars from Hyundai and Kia. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT's high energy use is likely driven by its brisk level of performance and heavy long-range battery pack. What is the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT like to drive?The Ford Mustang Mach-E is quick and quiet, even by electric car standards. And the well-thought-out interior has an upmarket feel. People coming from a petrol car would feel right at home, and they would just need a little time to adjust to the eerie silence and the rapid performance. The big negative is the stiff suspension which, even by performance car standards, is way too harsh. For the media preview drive, Ford chose the smoothest stretch of pavement around Detroit it could find – and the Mustang Mach-E still jarred on even the slightest bump, strip of repair paint, or ripple in the road. The firm suspension would be a deal-breaker for me. It's also likely a source of frustration for buyers who may not have noticed the suspension's limitations amid their excitement on a quick test drive. Ford offers a more advanced 'magnetically controlled' suspension set-up as an extra-cost option in the US. If the Ford Mustang Mach-E comes to Australia, it should be standard. We had a brief test drive of an example equipped with the optional suspension package and, although it was an improvement, it could not be described as particularly comfortable either. Ford engineers who were on hand during the test drives said the company wanted to give the Mach-E a sporty feel. We reckon they may have taken that instruction a step too far. As it stands, the best automotive engineers in the business are grappling with how to make heavy electric cars cope with their excess weight. For now, it's a work in progress. On balance, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is an exceptionally quick vehicle, but it is not comfortable on smooth or rough roads – with or without the suspension upgrade.
Should I buy a 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT?The Mustang Mach-E could be a compelling proposition for electric car converts if Ford Australia gets the price right – and the engineers find a way to better iron out the bumps. Ratings BreakdownFord Mustang7.1/ 10Infotainment & Connectivity Interior Comfort & Packaging Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years. Read more about Joshua Dowling Is the electric Mustang faster than a Tesla?As tested by MotorTrend, the Mustang Mach-E has a zero-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds compared with the Model Y's 3.5 seconds, with Mach-E hitting the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds at 100.6 mph compared with the Model Y's 12 seconds and 114.7 mph.
How much power does the electric Mustang have?Actually, 480 horsepower is a lot, especially in an all-wheel-drive electric vehicle. Besides that horsepower, the Mustang Mach-E GT produces 600 pound-feet of torque, a measure of raw pulling power. The Performance Edition produces a little more, 634 pound-feet.
What is the top speed of the electric Mustang?The Ford Mustang Mach-E has a top speed of 130 miles per hour, and can go from 0–60 in 3.5 seconds. That's pretty incredible, especially considering that the Mustang Mach-E is entirely electric.
Is MachAlthough the Mach-E has more muscle, the Model Y is faster in a straight line. It was close, though: The Ford hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, while the Tesla did it in 3.5 seconds.
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How powerful is the electric Mustang?
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