- The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally starts at $59,995 in the U.S.
- Several upgrades have been made to the EV, including revised suspension and new gloss white 19-inch wheels.
- Ford’s new rallycross testing area was once an empty grass field at its Michigan proving grounds.
Ford didn’t need to build the Mustang Mach-E Rally. However, to develop the off-road-focused version of its battery-electric crossover, the company created a new torture test at its proving grounds and set out to ensure it was suitable for rallycross driving.
In early 2022, Ford product planners Peter Schultz and Craig Migliori were asked if it was possible to build a rally-inspired version of the Mustang Mach-E. To find out, they added new wheels and off-road tires to an existing Mach-E and took to Ford’s proving grounds in Michigan. It performed well, and the team was able to develop it further.
Read: New Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Is A $65,000 Off-Roader That Just Landed In Detroit
To ensure the Mach-E was up for anything owners could throw at it, Ford created a 500-mile (804 km) torture test designed to put the EV through the equivalent of 10 years of monthly rallycross racing. The new testing area was once a grassy and unused field at the proving grounds.
Engineers performed a computer-aided engineering analysis of the course, mapping out elevation changes, expected speeds, and more with sensors and advanced measuring equipment. Construction of the course then began.
To ensure the Mach-E Rally is prepared for proper rallycross racing, Ford’s engineers didn’t call it a day after bolting on some new wheels and tires. The ride height has been increased by 1 inch (25 mm), and the shocks and springs have been re-tuned for rally driving. The EV also rocks new gloss white 19-inch wheels clad in Michelin CrossClimate2 tires and has plenty of underbody shielding to protect the battery pack and other vital components.
A special RallySport drive mode has also been created. It allows for extra yaw while sliding, provides a more linear throttle response, and has a more aggressive damping setup.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally comes fitted with dual electric motors (e-AWD) producing 480 hp (358 kW / 487 PS) which allow the 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) sprint to be completed in 3.4 seconds. Finally, the carry-over 91 kWh battery pack offers an EPA-estimated range of 265 miles (426 km) which is slightly worse than the 280 miles (451 km) of the Mach-E GT.
Ford will start customer deliveries of the Mustang Mach-E Rally later this year. Prices start at $59,995.
