Ford has unveiled a new version of its electric crossover, the Mustang Mach-E, at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is a rally-inspired model that combines the zero-emission powertrain of the Mach-E with the off-road capabilities and high-speed performance of a rally car.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is not just a concept but a production-ready vehicle that will be available to order in the US and Europe later this year. Ford says the new model is designed to provide customers with the freedom to venture off the asphalt and beyond the beaten path while still enjoying the fun and exhilaration of driving a Mustang.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally features a number of modifications over the standard Ford Mustang Mach-E, such as a reprofiled front bumper with new spotlights, a larger rear wing, a more aggressive diffuser, and rally-style wheels with knobby tires. The suspension has also been tuned for off-road performance, and the ground clearance has been increased.
Ford has not revealed the exact specifications of the Mustang Mach-E Rally, but it is expected to have more power and torque than the GT Performance version, which delivers 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. The Ford GT Performance can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, so the Rally could be even faster.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was driven by Ott Tänak, a former World Rally champion and current driver of the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 entry. Tänak showcased the capabilities of the electric crossover on the famous hill climb course, where he faced challenging curves and elevation changes.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally is not the first electric vehicle that Ford has brought to Goodwood. In 2021, Ford CEO Jim Farley drove the Ford Mach-E Cobra Jet 1400, a one-off drag racing prototype that produces over 1,400 horsepower. Ford also won the open class at Pikes Peak in 2023 with a modified version of its electric Transit van.
Ford is not the only automaker that has experimented with electric rally vehicles. In 2021, Hyundai unveiled its Veloster N ETCR, an electric touring car that competes in the FIA ETCR series. In 2023, Audi revealed its RS Q e-tron, an electric hybrid that will participate in the Dakar Rally.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally is part of Ford’s commitment to electrify its lineup and offer more choices for customers who want to switch to cleaner and more efficient vehicles. Ford plans to invest $22 billion in electrification by 2025 and launch 16 fully electric vehicles by 2022. The Mustang Mach-E is one of its most successful models, having sold over 70,000 units worldwide since its launch in late 2019.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally will join the regular Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Ford GT Performance versions as part of the Mustang family, which also includes the iconic gas-powered coupe and convertible models. Ford says the new model will offer a unique driving experience that combines the heritage and emotion of Mustang with the innovation and sustainability of electric mobility.
