While change is inevitable, not everything changes at the same pace. The Mach-E GT is a perfect example of this – it’s big and fast, but not as much fun as hoped (at least, we at here at öperation Men” think).
Here, then, is the $64,000 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. The sportiest version of Ford’s all-electric SUV, with the Mustang part already hammered down enough in the equation. Now we have to look at the GT element and whether the extra 5,000 euros required to get the Performance Edition is worth it (assuming there is a dealer willing to sell at list price). How is this car as a “Gran Turismo”? Is it good enough to rev in?
Um, well…it’s okay…And different.
The Mach-E GT is as different from the rest as a Tundra is from a Roma or Aventador. He is also heavier to begin with. A Tundra has a weight of 2130 kg according to the scale. So it’s a tough guy. According to Ford, the Mach-E Performance Edition delivers 2263 kg of batteries and engines, huge screens and other features, to punish the roads. That’s 488 kg more than what the 5.0-liter Coyote V8-powered 2022 Mustang Mach 1 coupe weighs, according to Ford.
The standard Mach 1 comes with a set of 255/40R19 front tires and 275/40R19 rear tires. The Mach-E GT Performance with all-wheel drive and V6 engine has 245/45R20 tires on all four corners. Rear-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive and variations in tire construction (and that one has a small trunk and the other a large one) have been excluded in favor of this comparison. The Mach 1 has 1060 millimeters of nominal tread in contact with the road surface, while the Mach-E has 980 millimeters. The profile width of the Mach 1 carries an average of 3.69 pounds per millimeter, while that of the Mach-E is 5.09 pounds per mm.
The Mach-E GT, on the other hand, is extremely enjoyable to drive. There is no loud engine roar echoing through the tunnels, but there is a sense of pneumatic pressure pushing the pig-like SUV through. The continuous torque of 850 Nm makes the beast feel like it is powered by a rocket.
Even the best internal combustion engines require considerable effort to keep their torque curves in the middle. The Mach-E GT needs no special attention in this regard. Instead, the driver must balance cornering speed with regenerative braking and front four-piston Brembo brakes. When braking hard, even with its four driven wheels, the Mach-E GT does not like to dive into the corner. It is a challenging riding experience that rewards those who take it easy in the corners and then accelerate when coming out of the apexes. Although it is not as fun as other cars like the Mustang GT, Mach 1 or Honda Civic Si, it is still very satisfying.
When climbing a hill or driving up steep inclines, electric vehicles rely more on torque than horsepower. (The Mach-E GT has 480 hp). Although the car still drives pleasantly, there is always the feeling that the computer is calling the shots and not the driver.
Cornering is always flat, the Mach-E’s weight distribution feels consistent from front to back, and the two engines driving the four wheels are constantly in tune. Nevertheless, the steering speaks French and the chassis tries to convey English. It’s not quite a coherent, whole driving experience. Even though there is plenty of room inside for lots of touring luggage for great comfort, it is not exactly a grand tourer.
On a single charge, the Mach-E achieves about a 357-mile trip on a 418-mile range claimed by Ford.
Ford claims the Mach-E GT Performance knocks itself from a standstill to 100 mph in 3.5 seconds. Several tests measured the Mach-E GT Performance where it did this trick in 3.7 seconds and passed the 400 meters in 12.7 seconds at 162 mph. That’s fast … especially for a machine with a C/D weight of 2268 kg.
The term “grand touring” is vague and relative. So far, no electric car fully meets this subjective standard. But the electrification process is constantly evolving and there is no telling where it will lead. Moreover, we are still in the early stages of this transformation. The way these cars perform in Grand Tour scenarios may also change over time.
