Is This Our First Look At The 2020 Ford Mach 1 Electric Crossover?

Ford has begun testing on the streets of Dearborn a new crossover model wearing a rather dizzying camouflage wrap in order to hide its true identity, leading us to believe that this is our first look at a prototype of the 2020 Mach electric SUV.

When Ford first announced the development of the Mach 1, they said that the new electric SUV will contain some of the Mustang’s DNA. Since then, we also found out that Ford’s battery-electric crossover will be based on an electrified version of the C2 platform that underpins models like the Focus and the Escape SUV.

Ford’s engineers went into great lengths to hide the vehicle’s key design features but even so, elements like the steeply raked windshield and a slightly sloping roof line can be seen through the camouflage.

The front end looks like the area where cues from the Mustang will be used, including a set of sharp, angular headlights and a separate pair of lights underneath them. Apart from that, it’s really hard to say what’s the front grille arrangement will look like, but so far it looks aggressive and sporty.

Ford’s mystery SUV test car also comes with a few details that probably try to mask its true identity, including a sticker on the rear quarters with the script ‘Diesel Fuel Only’ and a pipe that looks like an exhaust. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the area surrounding this “exhaust” has even accumulated some soot, which might be -or not- fake. Despite these efforts, the completely flat underbody indicates that Ford is simply trying to mess with our heads.

Unfortunately, the prototype was photographed driving through an active construction zone and then in heavy traffic, making it difficult for the photographer to hear if it ran in pure EV silence.

Details about the powertrain are still unknown at this point, but we expect a driving range between 250 and 300 miles on a full charge. Ford has said in the past that the Mach 1 will arrive in the market in 2020, but the company is expected to give us a preview with a concept within the next 12 months.

Image Credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops