Ford Mach-E – An ALL electric vehicle: For the first time in 56 years, Ford is expanding the popular Mustang platform by bringing the famous pony into the electric modern age of vehicles with the Mach-E. An ALL electric SUV that encapsulates all of the modern creature comforts, but bringing an entirely new level of technology to the Ford Motor Company.
The ever so dreaded moment my wife and I decided to bite the bullet and purchase our 16 year old Daughter her first vehicle. No, no, no, not the Mach-E, I will get to that in a moment. While shopping for a used vehicle / beater for our Daughter to scoot around town in, our Sales Associate / friend Christian offered the opportunity to test drive the Ford Mach-E. I was hesitant at first, Christian is a very good salesman and I thought he was up to his old tricks of putting me into a new vehicle knowing I would instantly fall in love. I realized Christian was actually being serious and was extending an offer to check out the Mach-E up close and in-person, which has allowed me to write this review.
I really had no interest or desire in any of the electric vehicles. I know that the technology has come a long way and more and more electric vehicles are hitting the market, but I am not the type to jump on the bandwagon right away. I prefer to let the manufacturers work out the bugs and tweak things before I show any interest. However, I did have a chance to ride in a Tesla P90 and I have to say the “Ludicrous mode” is an experience in itself. Comparable to being on a rollercoaster. So the chance to jump into a Mach-E was a pretty cool opportunity.
Christian took us to the vehicle and told me to jump in, so he can show us some things. I was challenged right off the bat trying to figure out how to get into the Mach-E. However, after seeing a glowing “open me” button staring you right in the face, only caused for me to fumble around for a few seconds as my eyes scanned the drivers side door anxiously looking to hop into the drivers seat. Christian jumped into the back seat and said, “let me show you a few things.” My first impression, was like, “woah, I just jumped into a spaceship.” The large iPad-like screen on the center dash hit you right in the face. Which I do have to add is very desirable, especially for those of us who are getting older and can barely see. Another digital display in front of the steering wheel that showed the speedometer AND the percentage of how much charge you have. Which still completely blows my mind.
We started navigating through the vehicle options on the center console display as Christian guided me through a few of the settings for the Ford Mach-E. The interface for the vehicle settings is very much like a tablet. A very user-friendly graphics user interface allowed you to navigate, push and swipe to get to all of the vehicle options. Christian guided me to the drive modes. As Ford says itself, “Your ‘stang. Your style.” Four options stared me in the face:
- Engage: The ambient lighting is set to soft blue, and you’ll enjoy a balance of excitement and comfort, with in-vehicle sounds to enhance the experience.
- Whisper: A calm driving experience with gradual acceleration and a lighter “coasting” deceleration response. The interior sound is turned off and the ambient lighting is blue. Your digital cluster display will react to your acceleration, braking and handling too.
- Unbridled: Get the feeling of downshifting, increased throttle response, a sporty steering feel, orange ambient lighting and enhanced driving sounds for that exhilarating Mustang experience. Your digital cluster display will react to your acceleration, braking and handling in this mode as well.
- One-Pedal Driving: You can also choose the One-Pedal Driving feature in any of the above three Drive Experiences. This allows you to control vehicle speed with the accelerator pedal only and reduces the need to use the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down. Instead, the vehicle slows down as you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal. This is most useful in stop-and-go traffic.
Can you take a guess which mode we cruised in? UNBRIDLED mode it is! I was anxious to check-out the torque and “throttle” response, especially in a sport-mode type of setting.
So, I think the most mind-blowing thing about this experience is the “fake” engine sound. This is a completely ALL electric vehicle, however, Ford incorporated an audio experience to pump in an engine sound. There is an option to turn it off, but it was crazy listening to an engine-like sound coming from a vehicle that has NO engine!
After getting settled into the drivers seat, my Daughter and I were ready to go. I think we both literally smiled from ear to ear the entire trip, from and back to the dealership. As soon as we hit the highway I gave it a little extra, an instant torque of power thrusting your head backwards was like an amusement ride. I believe this model boasted 346HP/258kW while the GT & GTPE models will be 480HP/358kW. Let me tell you, even after my Tesla P90 experience and now being able to drive the Ford Mach-E, the torque and take-off on the all-electric vehicles is absolutely no joke. If you have neck or back problems, you may want to steer clear from electric vehicles. 🙂
The Mach-E handled great, stayed tight to the road, was a very smooth ride and the interior / seat was very comfortable. I am used to driving an Expedition, so the blind spots while lane changing, etc. took a little getting adjusted to. The large center console screen was very easy to read with such a large navigation map and as mentioned previously the user-interface was well thought-out and easy to use. The smaller windows to navigate to the radio, change drive modes, switch to navigation was all very well laid out. The panoramic see-through roof that went from the front of the cabin all the way to the rear was a nice added touch to the styling of the interior.
Overall the driving experience was very fun in the Ford Mach-E. Performance was a completely different experience, especially the launch and torque, the magnetic braking took a minute or two to get used to, but was fine after a couple of pumps. I would definitely consider purchasing an all-electric vehicle in the future. Hopefully Christian does not see this, he will be texting me later to try to sell me a Mach-E. 🙂
If you are in the market for a vehicle and are in the Maryland / DMV area, check out Bob Bell Ford. Be sure to ask for Christian Perry, he will give you a good deal!
Ford Mach-E Meat and Potatoes
The GT Performance Edition will be hitting the streets soon. I would love to have the opportunity to drive one of those! Here are some of the key features of the GT model:
- Acceleration: Targeted 0-60 in 3.5 seconds
- Peak Power: 480 Horsepower / 358 KW
- Peak Torque: 634 LB.-FT. Torque
- Range: Targeted EPA-Estimated 235 Miles of Range
- Charge: 88 kWh Battery
- Performance: Magneride Suspension
- Powertrain: Electric All-Wheel Drive Permanent Magnet Dual Motor
- Exterior: Unique Carbonized Gray Grille
- Exterior: 20″ Machined-Face Ebony Black Painted Wheels
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Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 – Video by Ford Performance
I did see this when it was released last year. Let’s just say I have a new found respect for the Mach-E.
