When the Ford Mustang Mach-E burst onto the scene in December 2020, it signaled a new era for both Ford performance and Ford EVs. Now entering its fourth year of production, the 2024 Mustang Mach-E is aiming to raise the bar even higher. Although technically a compact crossover SUV, Ford is aiming to show that the Mach-E has more connection to the original Mustang than just the name (which is based on the off-and-on Mustang Mach 1 performance trim).
Naturally, the question comes up: if a car enthusiast hasn’t yet been inspired to go find a Ford Mustang Mach-E for sale, is now the time? Certainly, some have already taken the plunge, with sales increasing every year to a reported 40,771 in 2023. Now that the Mach-E is established as more than just a novelty, we at CarLifeNation are eager to see how high it can go in terms of sheer performance—and what effect that has on how many end up on roadways and in driveways.
Multiple big changes have already been confirmed for the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with others being teased by the manufacturer. Let’s see what there is to know about the latest edition and how Ford is enhancing the Mach-E’s performance credentials for the new model year.
Out With the Route 1, in With the Rally
If you’ve been following along as the Mustang Mach-E has taken its foothold, you’ll notice something different about the 2024 trim lineup. The starter Select, mid-level Premium, high-end GT, and ultra-high-end GT Performance Edition are all still around. However, the California Route 1 is no more. This trim was known for offering the best range of any Mach-E trim at up to 312 miles. Ford is partially remedying this by now offering its extended-range 91 kWh battery on all remaining trims, which produces an estimated 310 miles of range. Still, it’s a noticeable absence.
Performance enthusiasts, though, should be excited about what’s replacing the California Route 1. It’s a trim you’ve never seen associated with a Mustang before: the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally. As things stand (more on that in a moment), this is shaping up as the most powerful Mach-E you can get for drifting across paved or unpaved roads.
Ford is certainly familiar with successful rally vehicles, having earned four manufacturer’s titles in the World Rally Championship. They’ve put that knowledge of going fast on dirt and gravel into building a top-flight vehicle. The foundation is the Mach-E GT Performance Edition, which is already a powerful machine with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque. From there, Ford has fine-tuned the rear motor to give it another 16 lb-ft of torque for quicker acceleration. The 0-60 mph time will drop to a scant 3.5 seconds, and Ford also says the maximum power will last longer than on the GT Performance, though it’s not known how big the increase will be.
The MagneRide adaptive suspension has been completely overhauled to better handle rough terrain. The Mustang Mach-E Rally has 0.8 inches of added lift—which may not sound like much but can be the difference between clearing a rock or having it gash the undercarriage. Ford has also switched to Michelin CrossClimate2 all-season tires. These tires are narrower than the GT’s tires and have a taller sidewall to reduce wheel spin, especially on ice and snow. You also get skid plates on both motors and optional mud flaps.
Updates aren’t limited to the hardware, either. With a RallySport Drive Mode, you can lower the stability control, make the suspension more aggressive, and even out the throttle response across the RPM spectrum. Doing so lets you throw the Mach-E Rally into harder slides and take bolder corner angles, knowing it will stick.
Not only does the Mach-E Rally perform differently than any other Mach-E, but it looks different—like a car that’s ready to tackle the nearest SCCA rallycross course. It has a rear spoiler, aggressive aerodynamics, dual racing stripes, and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a gloss white finish. Inside are white accents to match the wheels. Just like when the Mach-E was introduced four years ago, we can confidently say this is a Mustang unlike any you’ve ever seen or experienced.
GT Bronze and Performance Packages: What We Know
If the Mustang Mach-E Rally is now the most powerful Mach-E, where does that leave the GT? It might not be in second place for long. When Ford first announced the 2024 lineup, it had two things to say about the GT Performance. One was the introduction of a Bronze Appearance Package. The other was saying a new optional performance upgrade package, separate from the existing Performance Edition, could be made available later in the year.
Unfortunately, details on what this performance package could be are scarce. The only other thing Ford has said is that this package will give drivers the fastest 0-60 time ever from a factory stock Mach-E — even faster than the 3.5 seconds we just talked about for the Rally trim. As for what else the package might entail, we’re predicting it will be along the lines of the GT Performance Package and the Dark Horse Handling Package that are offered with the gas-powered 2024 Mustang. These include upgrades to the differentials, brakes, chassis, rear wing, and more.
As for the Bronze Appearance Package, it might not necessarily make the Mach-E GT go faster or turn harder, but it will give your ride the appearance of a vintage sports car. The 20-inch aluminum wheels, grille, and badges will all have a bronze finish. The wheel spokes look like classic wire wheels, and the grille design has also been redone with a retro look. Bronze styling can be paired with an Eruption Green, Shadow Black, or Star White finish.
When powered by the existing performance features of the GT, the Bronze Appearance Package is a fitting tribute to Mustang history. Add in the prospect of a performance upgrade on top of this, and we’re drooling with anticipation.
The Latest in Mustang Power
Even before this year, the Ford Mustang Mach-E was arguably an underappreciated gem in terms of performance. The existing Mach-E GT Performance Edition already needs just 3.7 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, which is only a hair off the living legend that is the Mustang Shelby GT500. It shares many other features with the traditional Mustang V8 as well, such as the MagneRide dampers, Brembo brakes, and selectable driving modes.
Still, 2024 is shaping up as a year where Ford truly proves the performance chops of the Mustang Mach-E. The Rally edition truly takes the Mustang nameplate in a direction it’s never gone before. If you’ve never been able to picture a Mustang drifting around dirt corners or soaring over snow-covered whoops, get ready to picture it. Though we’re waiting to find out more about the optional performance package, whatever it ends up being will build on an already strong foundation.
All in all, the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E is ready to show it’s more than just an electric SUV with Mustang emblems. It still has the Mustang soul and the Ford Performance division driving development, and that’s a hard combination to beat. We’re intrigued by what we’ve found out so far and are looking forward to learning more.
