After all of the bulletins throughout 2023, it was nice to see that the Ford Mustang Mach-E had lastly arrived in Brisbane, Queensland. Just a few demonstrator fashions have been sprinkled across the totally different Ford dealerships and we needed to be fast to get a take a look at drive. From the web site, it seemed like solely 4 had arrived and so they had been solely obtainable at every spot for a couple of days. So, I booked it early and we drove across the block from the dealership this afternoon.
The Ford web site lists New South Wales, Victori,a and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as “coming quickly.” No dealerships outdoors the inhabitants centres of Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast are listed, including to my perception that there are just a few vehicles obtainable within the nation.
It’s actually a powerful automobile and a pleasure to drive. Sadly, Ford has positioned extreme restrictions on the take a look at drives and we couldn’t actually take a look at out the specs on the GT model we drove. The SUV in contrast nicely to the Polestar 2 for match, end, and luxury, and the Tesla Mannequin Y for measurement, however was rather more costly than each. On the street, the Mach-E Choose is over AU$88,000, the Premium AU$113,000, and the GT AU$124,000. The pink Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency at present sells for AU$100,000.
The viewing expertise was relaxed, with no strain utilized. The gross sales rep had some data however was prepared to confess he was nonetheless studying. We performed with the buttons and knobs and realized collectively. The dealership on the north facet of Brisbane has solely just lately been licensed by Ford to promote EVs and so it has not but put in a quick charger. The automobile comes with solely a sort 2–to–kind 2 cable, and so trickle charging on the dealership was not an possibility.
We had been unable to take the automobile on the freeway to check the 0-to-100 km/h capabilities (marketed as 3.6 seconds – a tiny bit slower than the Tesla Y Efficiency, however lots quicker than the V8 Mustang Mach 1).
The gross sales consultant advised us that the Ford F-150 Lightning won’t come to Australia. Neither is Ford prone to convey out any extra petrol Mustangs. However Ford is promoting a plugin hybrid Ranger for 2025. Disgrace we aren’t getting the Chevy Bolt. Prospects who’ve ordered the Mach-E may have to attend for as much as 12 months for some trims. “It will depend on our allocation,” he stated. I reached out to the Mustang Australia Fb group with the query “has anybody taken a Mach E for a take a look at drive?” I received the response — “Why would you?”
Beforehand, I had had this barely extra optimistic responses from Fb: “Each model needs to be seen to be making an environmentally pleasant automobile. Ticks a field.” And I additionally received this: “I’d purchase one. In the event you look previous the ‘mustang’ identify which individuals appear so oddly fixated on, it’s an incredible efficiency SUV.” I agree.
The electrical blue Mustang Mach-E we drove sat within the seller car parking zone surrounded by Ford’s different large chunky choices. No Falcons, Fiestas, or Focus. All mild vehicles and SUVs. The electrical blue of the Mustang Mach-E stood out within the crowd of white, gray, and black. It’s a automobile designed to be observed on the motorway. It could be quiet, however it’s positively not a boring automobile.
Not like the Tesla Mannequin 3 door handles, which we’re used to (they remind us of our 1964 Wolseley – push within the fats bit and pull out the deal with), the Mustang had a push button on the motive force’s door pillar with enhanced PIN quantity safety. Foot on the brake and press the ON button for the automobile to activate. The button appeared a bit redundant.
The Mustang will be pushed in three totally different settings — Whisper, Energetic, and Untamed. These had been offered whimsically on the primary display screen. We had been disillusioned that we couldn’t entry untamed and needed to drive in “lively.” In lively, the acceleration was corresponding to our Mannequin 3 SR. Not like the BYD Atto 3, there was not an overuse of bodily buttons on the sprint. Voice management was obtainable for some features. “The place is the closest charging station?” labored.
We thought that the entrance of the Mach-E was the same form to the MG ZS EV. The wheels had been wonderful — they seemed like legs. The automobile may have been a bit of extra aerodynamic, however it’s an SUV in any case. The Mach-E has acquainted Mustang options just like the horse emblem and the triple tail lights. I used to be disillusioned that the low velocity warning sound was no more just like the sound of galloping hooves.
The temporary take a look at drive was easy and comfy. I appreciated the power to see a few of the information on the primary display screen. Having two screens within the Mustang meant that icons may very well be bigger. “I can see the time!” I can’t see this on the Tesla as I want studying glasses and so they don’t go nicely with driving.
Like all new vehicles which can be filled with tech it might take a while to discover all of the choices.
The display screen behind the steering had battery capability in each percentages and vary displayed on the identical time. In the course of the drive, Majella solely checked the smaller display screen behind the steering wheel often to verify she wasn’t exceeding the velocity restrict. Sadly, we solely received the prospect to drive across the block in metropolis visitors. “It’s not our automobile,” the rep defined, “We’ve been advised that if somebody places their foot down, we’ve to finish the drive.”
Majella did handle to discover a steep hill to test how the Mach-E would deal with it. “Not an issue! Simply as highly effective because the SR going uphill.” The turning circle was additionally related. We returned to the dealership to take a look at extra of the automobile’s options. The Mach-E offers tyre strain readings — however the rep didn’t know that was there. To be honest, he had solely had the automobile for a couple of days. Two gross sales reps had obtained some coaching. Additionally notice that the Mach-E comes with a transportable air compressor for the tyres.
What has a Mach-E received that we don’t have on our Tesla? A 360-degree digicam and reversing digicam that offers extra particulars. I felt that it was maybe an excessive amount of enter, although. The boot on the Mach-E is barely smaller in depth than our Tesla 3’s — which was a little bit of a shock when you think about that the Mach E is an SUV. Nonetheless, the frunk is larger, and even has a launch change in case a baby will get locked in.
The rep reported that that they had had about ten individuals for take a look at drives within the couple of days that the automobile was in situ, and plenty of extra clients who had ordered the automobile sight unseen. Appears to be like like the electrical pony goes to promote nicely Down Beneath and add to the rise in EV penetration of latest automobile gross sales. As we left, one other couple arrived to take the automobile for a brief canter across the block. Ford is on to a winner — ought to have entered the Melbourne Cup.
Our general impression: It’s a very good automobile that can promote nicely to Ford followers. Whether or not it’ll show widespread with Mustang house owners and automobile drivers of different manufacturers is to be seen.
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