American automotive giant Ford has announced that it will start taking orders for the GT and GT Performance variants of its first electric Mustang, the Mustang Mach-E, which will also include a track- and closed-course-only mode, starting at $US59,900 ($AU77,100, converted).
The new Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition will be available to order in the US either online or via Ford EV-certified dealers, with delivery expected to start in the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn (“fall”) and continuing through the end of the year.
According to the always hyperbolic press material, the new GT variants are designed to “accentuate the thrill of the GT name with the responsiveness of an all-electric powertrain” and will both come with a new driving mode, Unbridled Extend, a track- and closed-course-only take on the company’s Unbridled mode that balances power output for lap time consistency.
The Unbridled Extend mode provides more performance-oriented traction and stability control tuned specifically for track use, and even includes an increase in interior sound.
Both variants will also be able to be equipped with the optional Ford CO-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Package which brings the company’s BlueCruise hands-free driving to Mustang owners, and which can be used on more than 100,000 miles of prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones across North America.
“With Mustang Mach-E GT and Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, we’re pushing the boundaries of what an electric vehicle can offer,” said Dave Pericak, vehicle program director.
“These Mustang Mach-E models not only give customers the added capability expected from the GT name, but the responsiveness of their electric powertrains will ensure they have a thrilling experience behind the wheel.”
The Mustang Mach-E GT, the cheaper of the two variants coming in at $US59,900 ($AU77,100, converted), features electric all-wheel-drive and permanent magnetic dual motors including an upgraded secondary electric motor that powers the front wheels for a combined power output of 480 peak horsepower and 600lb.-ft. of torque.
Boasting acceleration of 0-60mph of 3.8 seconds the Mustang Mach-E GT is expected to provide an EPA-estimated electric range of 400-kilometres.
Accompanying these driving benefits, the Mustang Mach-E GT will also feature 20-inch machined-face aluminium wheels, red-painted performance brake callipers, plus 385-millimeter ventilated front rotors and 316-millimeter solid rear rotors.
Adding a little extra “oomph”, the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition will boast a o-60mph acceleration of 3.5 seconds thanks to 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque – the same horsepower as the Mustang Mach 1 performance coupe but with 214 lb.-ft. additional torque.
Ford expects the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition to deliver more torque, grip, and better handling thanks to the fact that it draws more power from its battery pack, with only a marginal range decrease with an EPA-estimated range of 380-kilometres.
For all the expected added extras of a “Performance Edition” the price tag also goes up, with the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition priced at $US64,900 ($AU83,500, converted).
Unfortunately for Australians, as with the original Mustang Mach-E, it doesn’t look as if Ford has any plans to bring these cars to Australia.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.