The muSTang goeS eleCTriC

The fully “charged” evolution of the pony car

Ford seeks to reignite the adrenaline rush of the Mach1

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

When the Ford Mustang made its debut in car dealerships across the U.S. in April, 1964, almost 22,000 Mustangs were sold in the first couple of days. By the end of its first production year, Ford had sold more than 400,000 Mustangs.

If a car ever needed some help to meet its sales numbers, it sure wasn’t the Mustang. But, if the popularity of the first pony car – and millions of units sold– were not enough, enter Steve McQueen and its legendary Mustang Mach 1 in the 1968 action-packed movie “Bullit.” After a little less of 11 minutes of the “first high speed car chase in Hollywood’s history,” the Mustang became cemented as the quintessential “muscle car” in American pop culture.

Fast forward 54 years since that car chase, and the Ford Motor Company is seeking to reignite the adrenaline rush McQueen’s high speed hard driving experience car enthusiasts lived for almost 11 minutes of that chapter of automobile history. Enter the new Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s first fully electric sports SUV, heir to the original Mustang’s legacy of speed, rebelliousness and freedom. Or, is it?

“The Mustang Mach-E challenges the notion that electric vehicles are only good to save gas,” said Rosángela Guerra, Ford’s managing director for Puerto Rico, Central America and the Caribbean. “Aside from getting a zero

In fact, emissions vehicle, people want a car that is exciting to drive, that looks good and that can easily adapt to their lifestyles. The Mustang Mach-E The Mustang Mach-E offers all is Ford’s first fully that with unparalleled style.” electric sports SUV Ford claims the new Mach-E and heir to the “personifies the Mustang spirit, original Mustang’s from its sporty silhouette legacy of speed, and muscular curves to its rebelliousness and stimulating driving experience.” freedom. But, truth be told, even the most seasoned car enthusiast will need a little imagination to see the Mustang hiding in this iteration of the classic pony car, which resembles more a crossover vehicle than an SUV. Of course there are the obvious telltale signs, such as the iconic pony silhouette (on the fake front grid), the three-bars stop lights, and the not so steep sloping aerodynamic trunk hood. And just to state the obvious; could anyone have ever

Aside from getting a zero emissions vehicle, people want a car that is exciting to drive, that looks good and that can easily adapt to their lifestyles.

Rosángela Guerra, Ford’s director for Puerto Rico, Central America and the Caribbean.

imagined a Mustang SUV?

Having said that, where the Mach-E really shows its DNA is in the driving.

The Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition launches the driver from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds making use of its 480 horsepower and 634 lbs./ft. of almost instantaneous torque. And, contrary to McQueen’s Mach 1 roaring 5.8-liter V8 engine, the Mach-E’s engine is reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel’s hit, The Sound of Silence.

Like with any electric vehicle, the drivers’ biggest concern is range. In the case of the Mach-E that will depend on the model you choose. The Premium RWD (rear-wheel drive) has a range of 306 miles, while the Premium eAWD (all-wheel drive) has a 290 mile-range. The GT is the one with the shortest, but still very impressive 260-mile range. The other significant concern among drivers is the recharging period. The Mach-E comes with a Ford Mobile Charger that could be used with 120V or 240V plugs. Charging times will vary depending on the specific connection. With a 240V connection charging from near zero would take up to eight hours. With a 120V connection charging could take up to 90 hours.

Conceived as “the working man’s Thunderbird,” according to Ford, the 1964 Mustang carried a starting price tag of around $2,300. In 2022, the pony’s electric version carries a price tag of $64,995. While Guerra assured that Ford’s vision is to produce an EV that is affordable to everyone, she admitted that is not the case right now. “We are looking to launch first our iconic vehicles and getting people to drive them. There are great concerns about range and recharging. We are working with that, and that is why we decided to launch first the Mustang Mach-E, the E-Transit and the F-150 Lightning,” Guerra said. “For the time being we are going to focus on these three iconic vehicles, strengthen our distributors’ network and continue educating our customers on the need to protect the environment and how to be prepared to meet the needs of having an EV.

Legislation in the U.S. requires American car manufacturers that at least half of their new cars production be fully electric or plug-in hybrid by the year 2030.

Death of the muscle car?

With all American automakers having to move to EVs, is this the end of the muscle car?

“Absolutely not! Not for Ford. The Mustang will go on and the proof is the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse we unveiled last summer in Detroit. The Dark Horse has a sleeker, more modern exterior and a 5-liter V8 engine with 500 horsepower to cater to those who love speed,” said Guerra. “Speed and performance are in our DNA.”