We tested the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT: a powerful and sporty electric SUV that deserves the Mustang name
Published by The team in News the
26/06/2022 at 10:56
Yes, someone decided to call something that isn't a Mustang a Mustang. Or at least it wasn't a Mustang until recently. The Mustang Mach-E arrived in 2021 surrounded by controversy for being an SUV and, moreover, electric.
Shortly after the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT arrived and when asked if it's a car worthy of such acronyms, yes, it is. The sportiest version of Ford's electric SUV is here to stay, and for good reason. We've tested it thoroughly, so let's get down to business.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT: different
Good. Wow. I say. I know you're going to go into the comments section and say "it's not a Mustang". You would be right, or at least you would be partly because a brand does what it wants with its products and its corresponding naming , but let me tell you, this is not THE Mustang, but the Ford Mustang Mach- E GT is ANOTHER Mustang .
It may not even seem worthy of the name for these reasons, but this GT version is the one that does the most to achieve it. But let's start with an outside look at the sportiest variant of the (allow me to insist) Mustang Mach-E.
Spectacular . If I had to define the exterior of the Mustang Mach-E GT with one word, it would surely be spectacular, because if we compare it with other similar models on the market or even with the rest of its range, the GT presents itself like an absolutely resounding car with a premium design full of modifications.
The front uses a false grille with the galloping horse logo , a three-dimensional effect and shapes reminiscent of the front of the coupé model. The same goes for the headlights which use a similar design, slanted and minimalist in appearance with eye-catching daytime running lights.
The bumper is more muscular than in the normal versions but as we go down we find more interesting details. At the bottom end there is a lip that generates downforce at the front and large air passages at the sides. The lower grille uses active aerodynamics to let the cooling breathe.
If we were to look at the side profile and could cut out the top half of the Mach-E GT, we'd find a silhouette similar to that of the conventional Mustang . Now, if we see the full picture, it can't deny its crossover nature.
The roof has a nice drop highlighted by a black roof that gains weight as it moves towards the C-pillar (very flat, by the way) and serves to lighten the visual weight of a raised rear compared to the cut. The middle area has power with well-marked wheel arches and a prominent waistline.
Unlike the rest of the range, the GT has the wheel arches painted in body color and hides 20-inch wheels with a specific design, black and with machined edges. Very pretty.
And we arrive at the rear where the GT retains the same drivers with very Mustang lines. Yes, the rather generous lower diffuser is different and the usual logo is replaced by the GT emblem. Because of differentiation.
And since we're in the back, let's talk about the trunk. The rear one has 402 litres , which isn't a lot, but it's very usable since the tailgate is very wide and when it opens (automatically) it takes the bin with it. To this we must add the front trunk which adds another 100 liters more .
|
|
LONG |
LENGHT |
HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MUSTANG MACH-E |
4 712 mm |
1 881 mm |
1 597 mm |
|
MUSTANG MACH-E GT |
4 743 mm |
1 881 mm |
1 586 mm |
But in addition to the two specific colors of the GT version (Cyber Orange and Grabber Blue), it also has a different look because it is the same width as the rest of the range but 11mm lower (shorter suspensions) and 31mm longer (bumper thing), so it looks a bit more athletic.
A spacious and well-executed interior
When I was in Croatia for the first contact, I got a good taste in my mouth when it came to the interior. In general, it's well-resolved and feels premium, outpacing other right-hand electric models in which the interior has been trimmed. This is not the case of the Mustang Mach-E, but even less so in the GT version which receives higher quality materials among other elements .
In this way we have in the front part a combination of leather finishes, textile upholstery and hard but well-finished elements (such as the strip with geometric shapes on the dashboard) that is discreet and works in equal measure .
I particularly liked the distribution and the morphology, generating a good feeling of space. The dashboard is tall as usual in modern industry, although it is visually lightened with a minimalist dashboard and contained dimensions.
It is a 10.2-inch digital screen with an extremely minimalist interface in which soft shapes and well-contrasted elements stand out with just the right information. No need to go crazy with thousands of data and visual configurations that do not add much.
The steering wheel, meanwhile, looks a lot like any other model in Ford's lineup, though this time it's covered in leather and the Mustang badging shines proudly in the center. No, we don't have the blue oval logo here either.
Minimalism also reaches the central configuration, grouping absolutely all the controls on a huge 15.5-inch digital screen and a vertical layout in which a large volume control button is integrated in the lower part.
For everything else (air conditioning, navigation, infotainment...) you have to touch the screen. The system runs well, it's smooth, it has connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay , and it doesn't have much lag on startup. I would only ask for two things: haptic feedback and for it to be angled slightly towards the driver.
The distribution is a flight of stairs from the center console leaves a good amplitude, the front storage box has plenty of space and a wireless charging platform, the rotary gear selector does not convince me too much (it does not has no stops and sometimes when maneuvering you don't know if you are in R or D) and the armrest is comfortable and good looking, as well as featuring the GT logo.
I liked the Ford Performance signature seats. They have a sporty cut with good lateral support that supports the body well while being comfortable. They don't go beyond sports and that's fine for a car that isn't a sports car either.
Rear seat space is decent . Alright to tell the truth. There's generous legroom, ample headroom (although you have to stoop a bit to get in) and it's complemented by an optional panoramic sunroof that adds to the feeling of space.
An SUV with a touch of Ford Performance
Ford Performance didn't bother with the seats and a few distinctive interior touches, they also dabbled in the mechanics and chassis to get a GT variant with full law.
The mechanical combination uses two motors, one on each axle, which produce a total of 358 kW (487 hp) and a whopping 860 Nm of torque . This second figure is the most relevant because it manages to propel the Mustang Mach-E GT up to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. And we are talking about a monster that weighs 2,348 kg.
The response at any speed is instantaneous and at low speeds and thanks to the absence of mechanical noise we can hear how the wheels deform when they grip the asphalt. There's so much force available that with little horizontal marking or dirty asphalt to walk on, you'll notice the electronics holding the car down so it doesn't crash. Exciting.
I can't say for sure, but I'd say the loss of grip on the rear axle is intentional to give it a hint of excitement. The configuration gives priority to the rear to resemble the behavior of the coupé, with the security of a front axle always under control and which keeps the thrust glued to the eyes on the back of the neck.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT has three drive (and peak) modes . The Whisper is the quietest and most suitable for maximizing range, in addition to favoring front-wheel drive. It is followed by the Active and finally the wild Unamed. The latter mode is where the blatant oversteer behavior is unleashed.
To the latter is added the Untamed Plus, recommended exclusively for circuit for safety reasons. Besides aids in suppression, oddly enough, it also reduces power to maintain stable behavior for longer without overheating the electrical section. If this happens in any of the modes, the system temporarily cuts off maximum power.
But it's not only a fast car on the straights, but also when you decide to get busy in the corners. The steering feel is surprisingly heavy but very precise, with a very direct relationship that will help us guide an SUV whose inertia is noticeable. What the management lacks is a great ability to communicate what is happening on the asphalt.
Sure, the floor-standing battery pack produces a very low center of gravity that helps with flat turns, but that's not the only thing. The chassis receives stiffer suspensions with specific tuning and increased track width on both axles (+5 and +14 mm) which help it roll even more firmly, in addition to 245/45-20 size tires .
Going back to the riding modes, in each of them the throttle response, the steering feel as well as the regulation of the MagneRide suspensions are varied. The touch of Ford Performance is noticeable because in each of them the behavior is firm without becoming uncomfortable, but effective in the most dynamic way.
For the brakes, a Brembo team with 385 mm discs with red painted four-piston calipers is used on the front axle. They have more than enough power and their feel can be a bit harsh. Might as well blow up the ABS without doing particularly vigorous braking and leave you with a face of "and why is that?".
Good behavior, reasonable in autonomy
The other determining element of the mechanics of this Mustang Mach-E GT is a lithium-ion battery of 88 kWh net (98.7 kWh gross) which should be updated shortly to 91 kWh according to Ford via an update from electronics.
The brand offers 500 km of autonomy approved according to the WLTP cycle with a consumption of 20.6 kWh per 100 km. That on paper, in reality we already know that it goes the other way and in our case the consumption was estimated at 24 kWh blocked at 100 km.
This leaves us with a total autonomy of about 370 km . We must recognize that depending on the conditions we can make journeys with much lower consumption (around 16 kWh/100 km), but also much higher because it is a car sensitive to what our right foot weighs on it. we.
Regarding charging, the Mach-E GT admits 11 kW in alternating current and 150 kW in direct current. Ford announces 100 km of autonomy in 10 minutes in the best case. In real life, the cooldowns were much higher for us.
And finally, two things that could be improved: the layout of the driver assistants and the general equipment are good, but the lane centering could be refined so as not to go from one side of the lane to the other.
The other key point is the price, which has a PVP of 85,172 euros , making it a car not suitable for all budgets. The most powerful Audi Q4 e-tron (only 200 kW) does not reach 70,000 euros, the Tesla Model Y Performance starts at 70,000 euros and comes dangerously close to the 81,800 euros of the Jaguar I-Pace .
In any case, the Mustang Mach-E GT will not be a mass car, but an image car. Ford launched it because it could, and perhaps because it felt a duty to honor the Mustang name with a dynamic, bold car . For me, they succeeded.
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT - Review
7.2
For
- Strong engine response
- well tuned chassis
- Remarkable finishes
- aesthetically resounding
Versus
- touch everything
- The weight is noticeable
- reasoned consumption
- High price
Ford played it. They've taken their biggest icon and turned it into a risky cutting-edge product that's trying to draw attention to electric mobility. Purists say it's sacrilege, but you have to recognize that this Mustang Mach-E is a point and followed by an entirely different model.
What could not be missing from the range is the GT version , and two things must be recognized: the courage of Ford and the know-how of Ford Performance, as they have transformed a big and heavy SUV into a fun car that makes you want to drive in all situations.
Although the physique is unforgiving and the weight is there, it's fast, it's precise and it has an overall touch that pulls towards the hooligan . So if the electrics have to be like that, not so bad.
Specifications of the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
|
FORD MUSTANG MACH-E GT |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
ENGINE |
|
|
|
|
TYPE |
Two electric motors, one on each axle |
|
|
MAXIMUM ENERGY |
358 kW (487 ch) |
|
|
MAX TORQUE |
860Nm |
|
|
TRACTION |
Total |
|
DRUMS |
|
|
|
|
TYPE |
ions lithium |
|
|
TOTAL CAPACITY |
98,7 kWh |
|
|
USEFUL CAPACITY |
88kWh |
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
|
|
|
LONG |
4 743 mm |
|
|
LENGHT |
1 881 mm |
|
|
HIGH |
1 586 mm |
|
|
BATTLE |
2 984 mm |
|
|
LESTER |
2 348 kg |
|
|
TRUNK CAPACITY |
402 + 100 liters |
|
BENEFITS AND CONSUMPTION |
|
|
|
|
0-100KM/H |
3.7 seconds |
|
|
MAXIMUM SPEED |
200km/h |
|
|
APPROVED CONSUMPTION |
20.6 kWh / 100 km |
|
|
AVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF TESTS |
24kWh/100km |
|
THE PRICE |
|
€85,172 |