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This new Mach-E Rally is what you’d get if you could cross Ford’s top-spec Mustang Mach-E electric SUV version, the GT, with the company’s discontinued Focus RS rally sport monster. Ford originally unveiled the Mustang Mach-E Rally at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, but is announcing more details today. The vehicle is expected to be manufactured in early 2024 (yes, that’s not a one-off performance), with deliveries “shortly” after that.
The Rally isn’t as tall as the Focus RS, but the additional suspension upgrades, underbody armor and extra tweaks mean it rides the same on dirt roads. Ford says it subjected Mach-E Rally prototypes to “500-mile rally-cross simulation durability testing” to ensure they can survive off-road adventures. The automaker also added additional shielding for both engines to protect them from dirt and rocks, as well as a film on the door skins and fender arches to protect the paint.
The Mach-E Rally will have a similar preliminary price to the GT Performance Edition, at around $65,000.
Ford says the Mach-E Rally should be priced similarly to the GT Performance Edition, at around $65,000 – though final pricing won’t be announced until closer to production time (and possibly subject to market fluctuations). price).
Spec-wise, the 2024 Mustang Mach-E Rally is similar to the GT Performance Edition. Both are capable of developing 480 horsepower, but Ford is aiming for a faster zero-to-60 mph acceleration for the Rally to outpace the GT Performance’s 3.5 seconds. And the Rally gains a bit more muscle with its twin-motor setup that targets 650 lb-ft of torque.
As an electric vehicle, the Rally boasts the same range as the Mach-E GT at 250 miles on a single charge. That’s on the same usable 91kWh battery found in the belly of current range-extended Mach-E vehicles, which have an EPA-estimated range of 290 miles on a single charge for AWD versions. Ford isn’t concerned about range though, as it says the median daily distance traveled by Mach-E customers is around 30 miles. And Ford CEO Jim Farley has feelings when it comes to really big cars and really big batteries.
You can fast charge the Rally up to 150kW max (just like other Mach-E versions), but Ford has made changes to reduce the Rally’s overall DC fast charge time: 10-80% charge in approx. 36 minutes (compared to around 45 minutes on the standard range Chewed up).
The Rallye will still have a CCS Combo connector on board despite Ford and other manufacturers adopting Tesla’s connector, now known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Ford EV customers are expected to get CCS to NACS adapters in 2024, but details are still scarce.
The Rally’s suspension is raised about 20 millimeters over the GT and includes specially tuned springs and MagneRide dampers to help it grip over bumpy dirt roads. And it’s fitted with 385-millimeter front brake discs and red Brembo calipers behind 19-inch white alloy wheels for better stopping power.
The Rallye’s interior features a few minor updates that remind you that you’re driving a special Mach-E. The dashboard features subtle gloss white accents and the lower spokes of the steering wheel have a gloss white finish. Additionally, there are high contrast stitching on the interior door trim and the seats carry a “Mach-E Rally” stamp along with gloss white seatbacks. There’s no need to look up when you’re in the vehicle, as the Rally lacks the panoramic glass roof found on higher-end Mach-E trims.
The Rally’s interior technology, including the 15.5-inch touchscreen, is the same as other Mach-E models. But the software includes a new RallySport ride mode that allows for extra yaw for bigger slides, linear throttle response for better control and better damping for better cornering handling. For daily drivers, this can mean better traction on snowy and rainy roads. It also helps that it comes equipped with Michelin’s Cross Climate2 all-season tires that have sidewall grooves and directional tread.
Software includes new RallySport driving mode
Ford is also including a 90-day trial of its latest hands-free BlueCruise driver assistance system (version 1.3), which users can purchase or defer later. Ford claims the updated version has improved lane change assist, lane repositioning, as well as better overall performance in curves and narrow lane driving.
There’s an extra set of lights on the front of the Rally, two circular fog lights on the nose that Ford says are rally-inspired. Color options include Grabber Blue, Shadow Black, Eruption Green, Grabber Yellow, Star White, and a new Glacier Gray.
Fans who miss the Focus RS will love the Rally-inspired winged spoiler, and old-school Mustang fans may continue to lament how far the electric SUV has strayed from the source material.
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