This is our first undisguised look at the new Ford Mustang Mach-E range-topper. It's called the Rally and - after a sneak preview at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year - now the American car company has pulled the wraps off the finished article at the IAA Mobility show in Munich.
Aiming for 487hp and 880Nm... minimum
Ford is saying the Mach-E Rally 'pushes electric vehicles (EVs) in a different direction', as it is the first rally-inspired EV from Ford. Donna Dickson, the chief engineer for the Mach-E, said: "Just a year ago, this was merely an idea, and what you see today is a testament to the passion and intense creativity of our Model E team. We have always explored new areas of performance, and the combination of a rally-tuned suspension, dual-motor electric powertrain and wicked styling makes the Mustang MachE Rally a different kind of performance vehicle that will excite customers chasing their next adventure."
The Rally is based on the current most powerful model of the Mach-E family, which is the 487hp/860Nm GT. Ford says the two-motor layout in the Rally is a 'tuned' version of the GT's powertrain, with minimum targets for the production version of 358kW and 880Nm - the former of these translates to 487hp, so Ford is being coy about precisely how much horsepower output the showroom Rally might have, but a torque figure of 'at least' that quoted amount would be a 20Nm upswing on the GT.
Like that existing GT, the Mach-E Rally uses a lithium-ion battery with a 91kWh usable capacity. However, from hereon in, the technical specifications of the two electric SUVs diverge, as the Rally has suspension that sits 20mm higher than the GT, with specially tuned MagneRide dampers fitter. It also enjoys 385mm front brake discs with red-painted Brembo callipers, as well as a set of gorgeous gloss-white 19-inch wheels with full rally styling; think 'OZs' and you're on the right track. The tyres wrapping these alloys are Michelin CrossClimate2s, with more sidewall and greater loose-surface grip than those fitted to the GT.
Bold exterior style, white-detailed interior
Visually, the Mach-E rally enjoys a rear spoiler that's not a million miles from the one fitted to the old Focus RS mega-hatch, as well as unique contrast body mouldings and accents, a bespoke front splitter, a black-painted steel roof, and built-in front fog lights in what might be called the radiator grille... if only it was a grille, and if only there was a radiator fitted behind it, of course. But we digress. You can specify this wild-looking bodywork in six colours, namely Grabber Blue, Eruption Green, Grabber Yellow, Star White, Glacier Grey or Shadow Black, and the twin racing stripes running over the car in the pictures are standard fit.
Inside, flashes of gloss-white detailing are designed to tie in with those glorious 19s on the outside. So the colour is used on the dashboard, the lower spokes of the steering wheel and for all the contrast stitching on the door cards. The Ford-designed performance front seats have gloss-white seatbacks, while the logo 'Mach-E Rally' is debossed into the surface of the seats.
First-ever RallySport drive mode
Ford is also proud to say the Mustang Mach-E Rally has the first-ever 'RallySport' drive mode, which is specifically set up for off-road driving. It adapts the electronic control systems of the EV to allow bigger slides, linear throttle response for better control, and more aggressive damping for better handling in loose corners. This set-up necessitated Ford developing an all-new rally course at its Michigan Proving Ground, with the track designed by rallycross veterans to put the EV through the most difficult of paces. Engineers and technicians then tested the prototypes for 800km durability runs on this course, to make sure the Mach-E Rally is touch enough to withstand the rigours of some serious off-road abuse. You're basically best off thinking of the Mach-E Rally as an electric cousin to the bonkers Ranger Raptor.
Jim Farley, Ford's CEO, said: "Mustang Mach-E Rally puts Ford's decades of passion for rally championships around the world right in the hands of our customers. It takes Mustang where it hasn't been before - to gravel and dirt roads. Inspired by true driving enthusiasts, a driving experience like never before for the pure joy of driving."
No prices have been announced as yet, nor has the one-shot driving range of the Mustang Mach-E Rally - Ford is still awaiting homologation on this figure, but it's going to be around and about the 500km claimed by the Mach-E GT - and the car will be available to order in early 2024, with deliveries commencing shortly after that.