The discharge of Ford’s first electrical automobile in Australia comes at an attention-grabbing time. Gross sales of EVs in Australia have grown quickly up to now 12 months, however they’re exhibiting indicators of stalling within the US, the place the large legacy automobile makers are additionally baulking on the tempo of the transition.
The Mustang, with its pony emblem, is likely one of the extra iconic names within the business. Already although, Ford – having launched the Australian pricing and particulars for the all electrical Mustang Mach-E in October final 12 months, shortly diminished costs in December by as much as $7,000 off the bottom Choose variant.
The GT variant examined for this text dropped by $2,675 to $104,990 earlier than on-road prices, or $115,447 drive away in NSW with non-obligatory Grabber Blue metallic paint pictured above.
In abroad markets just like the US, Ford made a number of value cuts to the Mach-E in an effort to spice up falling gross sales. Late final 12 months Ford additionally introduced they had been delaying $12 billion USD funding into EV manufacturing, which is at odds with rising EV demand.
Regardless of these value cuts, the Mustang Mach-E GT remains to be costlier than rival efficiency EVs such because the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency, which is available in at $91,400, and Kia’s EV6 GT , which you will get for $99,950, each with out on-road prices. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N which begins from $111,000 plus on-roads.
A comparability between the autos talked about above and different efficiency centered EVs will likely be forthcoming as soon as The Pushed has sufficiently examined all of them.
Ford Australia confirmed that native deliveries of the Mustang Mach-E have now commenced. Extra buyer automobiles had been noticed ready within the Ford dealership I visited, so when you’ve received one on order it’s best to get your fingers on it quickly.
Throughout the launch occasion for the Mustang Mach-E final 12 months I used to be in a position to drive each the Choose and Premium variants on the street, however my time within the GT was restricted to brief stints on the racetrack. When the chance arose to borrow a Mustang Mach-E, I used to be wanting to be taught what the Mach-E GT could be wish to dwell with.
See additionally: Bryce’s evaluate of the Mustang Mach-E Choose variant.
Comparability between Mach-E variants
From the outside, the Mustang Mach-E GT stands out from the opposite variants by the presence of bigger 20-inch wheels and crimson Brembo brakes, GT badging on the rear and black faux grille design on the entrance. The entrance bumper additionally options extra aggressive aerodynamics on the GT.
Opening the entrance door you discover extra GT badging on the door sill in addition to GT stitching on the centre armrest. Sitting down, the Ford Efficiency Sport entrance seats supply important aspect and shoulder assist in comparison with the usual seats in different variants. I discovered the seats within the GT had been very comfy and supportive on twisty roads in addition to lengthy freeway drives.
Other than the sports activities entrance seats, the inside is similar to different variants which is an effective factor as a result of the cabin is roomy and cozy with a number of cupboard space all through. Highlights such because the panoramic glass roof and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system are normal throughout all Mach-E variants.
My two youngsters discovered the again seats within the Mach-E very comfy as properly, commenting on how they sat up greater with much less knee bend in comparison with another EVs. The rear options air vents and USB ports, an armrest with cupholders in addition to rear home windows which go nearly all the best way down.
Cargo area is an identical throughout Mach-E variants. Even with the extra motor on the entrance axle, the entrance trunk (frunk) of the GT is similar massive dimension as rear-wheel drive variants with 134 L of cupboard space. The drainage holes within the frunk are additionally useful if you should throw moist or soiled objects in there.
Infotainment and navigation expertise
The infotainment expertise within the Mustang Mach-E is intuitive with a big 15.5 inch portrait mounted central touchscreen for navigation, audio and automobile settings. In entrance of the motive force there’s a 10.2 inch digital instrument cluster which reveals key driving info akin to pace and vary, detected pace restrict and cruise management settings.
General I discovered the infotainment system within the Mach-E satisfying, with nice sound coming from the premium audio system. The touchscreen was a tad gradual to replace when navigating between screens although. I got here throughout a few minor quirks throughout my time with the automobile, such because the speedometer studying 1 km/h when parked on some events.
Once I tried to seek for close by charging stations utilizing the built-in maps, a message telling me the characteristic required activation appeared. In earlier drives of the Mustang Mach-E I confirmed the built-in navigation will routinely add charging stops if essential for lengthy journeys. The built-in maps labored properly sufficient that you simply don’t essentially want to make use of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Wi-fi Android Auto additionally labored properly and had no points connecting every time I began driving. When utilizing smartphone mirroring the big central touchscreen retains controls on the backside for air-conditioning and simply accessible shortcuts to automobile settings, journey effectivity and so forth.
Subsequent flip info seems in entrance of the motive force on the instrument cluster when utilizing Android Auto or Apple CarPlay too.
Driving expertise
The drivetrain and suspension are the place the Mach-E GT actually shines and is vastly completely different to rear-wheel drive Mach-E variants. The GT options two equally sized electrical motors which mix to offer 860 Nm of torque, double the Mach-E Choose and Premium. Energy output from the twin motors is 358 kW, up from 198 kW within the Choose or 216 kW within the Premium variants.
All of this energy and torque leads to a 0-100 km/h time of three.7 seconds, spectacular given the automobile weighs nearly 2.3 tonnes. For comparability, this is the same as the Mannequin Y Efficiency and solely 2-3 tenths of a second slower than the Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Accelerating within the Mach-E GT feels completely different to the instantaneous take off that efficiency Tesla fashions are well-known for. From a standing begin there’s a small however noticeable delay while you ground it, maybe to keep away from torque ripple from the everlasting magnet synchronous motors. Both manner, passengers will most likely recognize understanding what’s coming subsequent.
As soon as you might be shifting, the GT feels highly effective and responds quickly, particularly when utilizing Untame which is probably the most sporty drive mode. Whisper and Lively drive modes, akin to eco and regular, nonetheless supply loads of energy while you want it.
In terms of slowing down, the Mach-E options correct one-pedal driving that may deliver the automobile to an entire cease and maintain till you speed up once more. Much like Bryce, I discovered the automobile would jerk to a cease sometimes however hopefully Ford can repair this with a future over-the-air replace.
It’s value mentioning that every one automobile settings together with one-pedal drive and driver help settings are maintained between drives, so there isn’t any must arrange the automobile every time you get in.
If you should decelerate shortly, the Brembo Efficiency brakes chunk strongly and cease the Mach-E GT shortly. As a result of I hardly ever touched the brake pedal other than some testing, I didn’t absolutely regulate to how delicate it’s. Nevertheless, if you’re planning to take a Mach-E GT to the observe or drive it longer than every week it’s best to be capable to adapt.
Sturdy acceleration and braking efficiency are undoubtedly helped by the Pirelli P Zero ELECT tyres that come normal on the GT. Based on Pirelli’s web site, these tyres are particularly designed for EVs and have decrease rolling resistance, enhanced grip, much less noise and bolstered buildings to deal with greater automobile weights.
Mustang Mach-E GT additionally options MagneRide Adaptive Suspension which is able to adjusting to street circumstances 1000 occasions every second. Additionally it is supposed to regulate between drive modes however I used to be not in a position to really feel a lot distinction when switching forwards and backwards between them.
This suspension offers the GT a agency experience, bordering on being uncomfortable at occasions over potholes or bumpy sections close to roadworks. A agency experience is the compromise for excellent dealing with although, because the Mach-E GT sits flat in corners and feels secure and managed. On smoother roads and highways the agency experience isn’t a difficulty both.
I discovered the Mach-E was pretty quiet inside, though it isn’t the quietest EV I’ve pushed. For instance, there have been a few rattles when driving over bumpy roads. The worst rattle was mounted by doing up the passenger seat belt to cease the buckle hitting the B pillar.
Whereas stopped or at low speeds there was additionally a noticeable buzzing from the air con system. At freeway speeds there was noticeable wind noise coming from above the windscreen someplace.
Driver help and effectivity
Throughout my preliminary drive of the Mustang Mach-E final 12 months I discovered the adaptive cruise management with lane conserving was above common and stored properly to the centre of the lane. This was additionally true within the GT, the automobile adjusts pace shortly and easily to maintain tempo with surrounding site visitors.
The adaptive cruise management is sort of correct and doesn’t deviate an excessive amount of up or down hills like ICE automobiles and a few EVs are inclined to, though I sometimes noticed it 1-2 km/h both aspect of the set pace. The opposite Mach-E driver help programs are unobtrusive, with no false positives or annoying beeps, not even when enabling adaptive cruise and lane conserving.
Effectivity is a weak level for the Mach-E GT, as I noticed a mean of 20 kWh/100 km throughout my time with the automobile. This common should have been pushed up by a number of brief journeys as a result of my 100 km freeway loop consumed 19 kWh/100 km. A 38 km journey throughout Sydney to return the automobile averaged solely 18 kWh/100 km, see under. With these effectivity figures and 91 kWh of usable battery capability, actual world vary equates to round 450 km on a full cost.
Ford may doubtlessly enhance effectivity with out sacrificing efficiency of the Mach-E GT by together with a system to decouple one of many electrical motors when not wanted, moderately than driving each on a regular basis. This setup is widespread on extra environment friendly twin motor electrical autos.
Conclusions
Whereas the efficiency of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is spectacular, the cheaper rear-wheel drive variants are nonetheless highly effective and enjoyable to drive. The inside options and excessive ranges of consolation throughout the vary means there are even much less causes to go for the upper variants.
Nevertheless, if you’re the kind of one who should have the very best specification, or wants a succesful electrical automobile for observe days then the Mach-E GT is a variety of enjoyable and wouldn’t disappoint. This automobile additionally attracted a variety of consideration as I used to be approached by a number of individuals who requested what automobile it was.
In latest weeks Ford revealed a particular Bronze Look Bundle solely obtainable for the Mustang Mach-E GT which incorporates an non-obligatory efficiency improve for faster acceleration. Sadly, once I requested Ford Australia representatives they mentioned there aren’t any plans to introduce the Mach-E GT Bronze Version to Australia.
Desk of key specs for the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT:
Variant
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
Beginning value
$104,990, plus on-road prices
Paint colors and choices
Shadow black, included without charge.
6 non-obligatory premium colors for $700:Star WhiteHouse WhiteVapour BlueGrabber Blue MetallicSpeedy PurpleCarbonised Gray
Battery dimension
99 kWh gross, 91 kWh usable
Battery chemistry and producer
LG Chem, nickel cobalt manganese (NCM)
Vary
490 km WLTP
Pushed wheels
All-wheel drive
Energy / Torque
358 kW / 860 Nm
Charging pace
150 kW DC, 10.5 kW AC
Charging socket
CCS2 combo
Exterior dimensions
Size: 4743 mmWidth: 1881 mmTop: 1623 mmWheelbase: 2984 mmFloor clearance: 163 mm
Kerb weight
2281 kg
Cupboard space
Frunk: 134 LBoot, rear seats up: 402 L to parcel shelf, 519 L to roofBoot rear seats folded: 1420 L
Service interval
12 months / 15,000 km
Tim has 20 years expertise within the IT business together with 14 years as a community engineer and website reliability engineer at Google Australia. He’s an EV and renewable power fanatic who’s most captivated with serving to individuals perceive and undertake these applied sciences.