Why Ford reimagined an American icon with an eye toward an increasingly electric future
Ford was ready to design a brand-new electric vehicle. Engineers were not considering making it a Mustang. Then, inspiration struck.
The Mustang Mach-E is the result of a creative journey that ultimately brought Ford back to the same all-American ideals that inspired the original sports coupe.
The journey to building the Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford has been a leader among carmakers in its insight that electrification is the future. In 2017, following up on the success of its hybrids, Ford pulled together a diverse team of designers, engineers, and strategists — dubbing it Team Edison. They were ensconced startup-style in a converted warehouse in Detroit's trendy Corktown district to conceive new electrified vehicles for Ford Motor Company.
The goal of Team Edison was to make a vehicle people would be excited to buy and drive — regardless of it being an EV. Then, the current CEO and then executive vice president Jim Farley threw out a shocking idea: What if we made it a Mustang?
The team had to challenge the processes they'd been developing over the course of their careers.
"The question became, how close to Mustang should it be?" said Hau Thai-Tang, the chief product-development officer. "Do we put a pony on it? Do we call it a Mustang? Is it a close cousin? A sibling?"
At first, Bill Ford, the executive chairman, was adamant that the first all-electric SUV for Ford shouldn't be called a Mustang because there was no way it could deliver on the Mustang promise. As prototypes emerged, he changed his mind. "All of a sudden, it started to make sense to me. If we actually wanted to be proud of this vehicle and everything it can do, we ought to call it a Mustang," he said.
But the bar was high. This electric Mustang had to be fun to drive, eye-catching, and just as powerful as its siblings.
Suddenly, the team was on the path to creating a new Mustang that would honor tradition while including features today's drivers are looking for.
The Mustang of the future
The big question for the team was how to infuse the iconic DNA of the Mustang into a vehicle that breaks the mold of EVs. The answer, in part, was to incorporate signature elements into the exterior while reinventing the interior.
"Striking that balance was one of the most difficult things for the entire team," Thai-Tang said. "The exterior of the Mustang has to be instantly recognizable as a Mustang. On the interior of the vehicle, we wanted to signal, 'This is new. This is the future.'"
The Mustang Mach-E body style shows its Mustang legacy with a sweeping hood, muscular rear haunches, and the signature tri-bar taillamps.
The interior takes cues from modern design, with a 15.5-inch touch screen and SYNC® 4A, which also lets drivers use their favorite Android or Apple applications wirelessly.
The result is the muscular body of a sports car with the plush, roomy interior of an SUV.
The Mustang Mach-E specs are powerful and environmentally friendly
The Mustang Mach-E redefines the Mustang values of power, freedom, and rebellion for the electric era.
The emission-free powertrain generates impressive torque and the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance edition has a targeted 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.1
"The Mustang Mach-E wholeheartedly rejects the notion that electric vehicles are only good at reducing gas consumption," Thai-Tang said.
The 2021 Mustang Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 has an EPA-estimated range of 305 miles2, which means drivers can take to the road without worrying about the nearest charging station. Freedom from range anxiety comes with FordPass™ Power My Trip. This feature makes trip-planning hassle-free by considering your all-electric vehicle's current state of charge and identifying charging points along your route.
Finally, the Mustang Mach-E rebels against the common idea of what an EV is — boring and odd-looking. This pony is spirited and stylish.
A mustang for performance and passengers
Electrification let the team remix what a Mustang could be. That includes the ability to deliver three different driving experiences from the same powertrain and cockpit.
Whisper is for the times you want quiet and comfort, a ride where you can chat and laugh with others, or just ponder the road ahead. Engage mode balances excitement and comfort. Unbridled is for when you want to let her rip.
While the Mustang Mach-E honors its sporty birthright, it incorporates the best aspects of SUVs. It comfortably seats five, and there's plenty of cargo space.
"This is a 'we' car," Josh Greiner, Ford's interior designer, said. "You want to experience these things together with your family, your spouse."
The message of the Mustang Mach-E is that you can have it all — impressive torque, an exhilarating driving experience, the latest, greatest technology, and zero vehicle emissions. It's the future of freedom.
Learn more about Ford Mustang Mach-E here.
This post was created by Insider Studios with Ford Motor Company.
1Ford test data based on typical industry methodology using 1-foot rollout. Your results may vary.
2Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium ion battery age, and state of health.