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Futuristic fun for all the family

The Mustang Mach-E is coming here, but not yet. Stuff Motoring contributor Dave McLeod just happened to be in the UK, so we got him in a right-hand-drive one for an early taste.

Launched in 1965, the Ford Mustang sport coupe’s mantra was rather simple: a long nose, short deck design and a powerful (usually V8) engine under the hood. It was a muscle car for the masses and has been ever since. Until now.

For the first time in more than 50 years, the iconic Ford Mustang nameplate has a new addition to its family – the all-electric Mach-E.

How do you tell it’s a Mustang?

It’s bigger than its low-slung sibling – certainly in height, with an extra 200 millimetres-plus to play with. However, the Mach-E Mustang crossover is marginally shorter.

It sports a long and shapely nose, muscular haunches and tri-bar tail lights, so the family resemblance is there. There are ‘‘Pony’’ badges on all four sides and Mustang nameplates on the door sills, and the dashboard has a double cowl design that is a nod to the traditional. But from then on, it’s all new.

It’s a genuine five-seater with an open-style cabin that has plenty of legroom front and rear. Luggage space with all seats up is a useful 402 litres, and there’s a drainable 100L compartment under the bonnet. To top it off, the Mach-E has a full-length panoramic roof that is insulated, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.

In the cabin there’s a mix of tactile finishes on offer, and it has contrast-red stitched sensico seats.

How good is the technology?

So pleased you asked – it’s excellent. The Mach-E door handles have been replaced with an E-latch push button system, which is very cool. It comes with the latest Sync system, and is presented on an unmissable 15.5-inch colour touchscreen.

It’s easy to use with tablet-style functionality. The voice control understands the need for coffee, offering up great cafe suggestions. It also comes with a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The instrument cluster is more akin to a head-up display, but in its defence, the 10.2-inch strip does display everything from speed, lane keep assistance and gear selection to range and battery percentage.

The UK brochure for the Mach-E says it packs 335 miles (539km) fully charged, but I never charged it to 100 per cent.

In saying that, the Mach-E did offer up 241 miles (388km) at 89 per cent and around town dropped at the appropriate rate. Ford says that with a 150kW fast charger, a 10 per cent to 80 per cent charge can be done in about 45 minutes, but my 48 per cent to 88 per cent 50kW charge (that added 200km) took a couple of hours while I got a haircut and had lunch.

How does it drive?

Really well, to be fair. It’s as simple to drive as any modern Ford. The push-button start is located beside the instrument cluster and the drive selection is on a dial in the centre console.

With a zero to 100kmh time of 5.8 seconds, it’s on par with the 2.3L-powered Eco ’Stang (slower than the High Performance version), but feels faster thanks to instant torque. The steering is well weighted and appears more responsive as you move up the modes, as does the throttle pedal.

The ride itself is firm but not teeth-rattling, and a little juddery in the rebound (it is a 2-tonne-plus vehicle after all). Being AWD (and an EV), traction is great regardless of the UK’s wet roads, something Ford has paid a lot of attention to.

Although the Mach-E offers Active and Whisper, obviously my favourite driving mode was Untamed, which gives you plenty of off-the-mark speed.

Does it pass Mustang muster?

The V8 purists would, of course, say no, but I’m not so sure. There are plenty of nods to the original, and it still gave me a muscle car feel, despite being a five-seat crossover. It’s quick off the mark, substantial on the road, and still a bit playful if pushed. It’s a futuristic Mustang that the whole family can enjoy.

This road test was conducted in the United Kingdom.

Motoring

en-nz

2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281998970646126

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