Dusseldorf “To be honest: What’s that supposed to mean?” Asks my brother, audibly excited. The sheer announcement that Mustang wants to build an electric car causes a furore among Mustang friends. “Such a great brand – and then they build an electric car? And then another SUV? What’s that supposed to mean? ”I would like to contradict him, but I don’t have any good arguments.
Indeed, the name Mustang is both a value and a mortgage. Hardly any other model from the vast Ford empire brings so much tradition and emotion with it. The stallion on the bonnet promised pure car feeling for a long time – thumping engines, a striking look. The attitude towards life of American cars, condensed into one brand. The green Ford Mustang GT from 1968, which Steve McQueen drove through the hit film “Bullitt”, determines the perception of the brand to this day.
But the world has changed: V8 engines are relics of a time when climate protection and sustainability did not yet play a role. The Mustang as an idea now seems a little out of date. And so Ford is taking a path with the brand that is actually extremely courageous.
And yet I start this test with prejudices: Can this Mustang take on the difficult inheritance?
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In any case, this Mustang has little in common with the classic pony car of the past. The Mach-E is visually very dynamic, but all in all an SUV with four doors. While the brand’s sports coupés are conspicuously angular, this Mustang is drawn rather gently – even if the front with the closed radiator grille and narrow headlights exudes a certain aggressiveness.
The brand’s electric SUV extends over 4.71 meters.
Cables and other small parts can be hidden in the frunk under the hood.
Passers-by keep taking an interested look at the front because they obviously cannot guess the brand at first glance. The relationship to the other Mustang models is actually primarily visible at the rear, where the brand-typical three-part taillights are installed.
But there is nothing more than this quote, because Ford has really dared something new for this model: A team founded specifically for this purpose has developed the vehicle architecture from scratch. This is likely to have only paid off to a limited extent for the group: after all, in the future Ford will primarily rely on the modular electric drive kit (MEB) from Volkswagen.
Even more so for the customer: In contrast to all other Mustang models, the Mach-E offers plenty of space. With a length of 4.71 and a wheelbase of three meters, it is comfortable on the back seat – even if the dynamic design takes its toll. The passengers shouldn’t be too big. However, two child seats can be accommodated without any problems. A Mustang as a family carriage – something like this has never been seen before.
Digital simply exemplary
And beyond that, this Mustang is extremely family-friendly. Charging cables or other small parts can be stowed under the hood. At 402 liters, the trunk is large enough to accommodate a stroller. However, the goods to be transported must not be too bulky: The sloping rear looks good – but is impractical for transport. And when parking you are sometimes very grateful for the active help, because the dimensions of this Mustang are not clear.
Every now and then, the electric SUV also overwhelms its driver with its progressiveness: there are no traditional door handles. The doors are opened at the push of a button. Anyone wondering about the strange numbers on the B-pillar: Here the car can be opened with a seven-digit code even if you don’t have a key with you. And via an app, drivers can preheat the car with their smartphone – or plan a route with the appropriate charging options and send it to the car.
The three-part taillights can also be found on the coupés.
With the coupé-like rear end, the Mustang looks better – but that costs trunk space.
The interior continues in a modern way that has not been seen at Ford for a long time. Fabric and leather have been combined to create a coherent overall picture. You are not used to it from Mustang so clearly and airy. The Ford designers have finally managed to leave the long, brand-typical button desert behind without creating additional confusion.
Where others like to get complicated, Ford has kept it simple. A full 15-inch touchscreen with attached steering wheel dominates the interior. Unlike many other manufacturers, it is not only clearly laid out, but also responsive. Although there is no head-up display, there is a second screen directly behind the steering wheel. That’s enough.
Time to face the difficult legacy of the past. Because most Mustang buyers are likely to place less value on the digital experience than on the driving performance. A trip to the Archaeological Park in Xanten offers the opportunity to test the Mustang on the long haul. It goes on the autobahn and country roads – and here the Mustang arouses some enthusiasm.
The battery sits heavily in the vehicle floor and provides a solid road holding that you simply do not expect from an SUV. All-wheel drive and 351 hp show their effect. While you accelerate silently and powerfully in a few seconds, you could forget about the V8 and Steve McQueen.
More efficient than expected
Drivers can choose whether they want to ride the Mustang “actively”, “tame” or “spirited” – this is what Ford has named the three driving modes. The assistants are checked on the way back. If desired, the Mustang not only keeps speed and lane – it also warns of dangers. In theory, this car would also be able to drive itself on the autobahn. This works very reliably and gently in traffic jams.
The mixture of power and dynamics without a V8 is not the only thing with which this Mustang is convincing. Because the car is not only sporty, but also quite efficient. Over the entire test period, I even ended up with a consumption of 18 kWh per 100 kilometers. And even on my long-distance excursion, with a sporty driving style, in the end I achieve an average consumption of around 20 kWh per 100 kilometers – more expensive models are significantly worse.
Because compared to German premium competitors, the price for the Mustang is really fair. The entry-level version with rear-wheel drive is available from 47,500 euros, the all-wheel drive version starts at 54,750 euros – both benefit from a 9,000 euros purchase bonus.
Anyone who can use a smartphone will also be able to use the multimedia system in the Mustang.
The Mustang clearly shows how it has used the energy.
With a top speed of 180 kilometers per hour, the Mustang is not only faster than the volume models from the VW empire. The range is very generous thanks to an 88 kWh battery (which is 99 kWh gross). The Mustang officially manages 540 kilometers. In real terms, you can reach more than 450 kilometers. But you don’t have to be afraid of range here.
And the Mustang also does well at the charging station. It can be charged with up to 150 kW at DC fast charging stations – that’s enough to charge the car from ten to 80 percent in 45 minutes. Competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are faster. But at least the Mustang would be ready for a longer vacation trip.
It goes slower at the home wallbox. Here the Mustang needs around seven hours at eleven kW to charge from ten to 80 percent. Thanks to the long range, you don’t have to charge here every day.
In the end, that’s why the Mustang is not as rebellious as it sells itself. He’s more of a wild horse for the whole family. If you can emotionally detach yourself from the great Mustang past, do not mourn the V8 and are ready to get involved in something new, the Mustang Mach-E is an efficient yet sporty electric car for a reasonable price. In this way, the brand should not only be able to sell nostalgia on wheels. But in the end, will that also convince my brother?
Technical specifications
Five-door, five-seater mid-range SUV
- Length: 4.71 meters
- Width: 1.88 meters (width with exterior mirrors: 2.10 meters)
- Height: 1.62 meters
- Wheelbase: 2.98 meters
- Boot space: 402 – 1,420 liters
- Dual electric motor (all-wheel drive)
- Standard Range: 258 kW / 351 PS
- maximum torque: 580 Nm
- Automatic input, 0-100 km / h: 5.6 s
- Vmax: 180 km / h
The loading flap is illuminated and can be unlocked manually. The Mustang sucks up to 150 kW on the DC charger.
The Mach-E doesn’t seem as bulky as other SUVs.
- Standard consumption: 19.5 kWh / 100 kilometers
- Battery capacity (net) 68 kWh
- Liquid cooling
- Range (WLTP): 400 km
- CO2 emissions: 0 g / km
- AC charger: 11 kW
- DC charge: 150 kW
- Efficiency class: A +
- Price: from 54,750 euros
More: Toyota’s first electric attempt – the Lexus UX300e in the Handelsblatt car test.