The Mustang was introduced to Americans in 1964, and by the end of the year, over 400,000 Mustangs swarmed the roads and highways of America. Sales of the iconic car far exceeded Ford’s expectations and have remained strong ever since. Over the years, the Mustang has gone through quite a few evolutions, but it still manages to amaze drivers from all walks of life. The newest Mustang to hit the market is the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, and you might be quite surprised at Ford’s latest offering for several reasons. The Mach-E isn’t a pure sports car; it isn’t even in the same class as traditional Mustangs. For hardcore Mustang enthusiasts, it might be difficult to digest the changes Ford made with its iconic ride. For example, the Mach-E is a compact crossover instead of a pony car, and it is an all-electric vehicle. So there is that to swallow. Still, there are several compelling reasons why the new Mustang should be something to check out at your Ford Mustang Mach-E dealer.
Changes Throughout The Years
The Mustang has seen several major changes throughout its history, so the introduction of the Mach-E shouldn’t be seen as a big surprise. In fact, there have been a few questionable changes to the Mustang that were initially met with skepticism. In 1973, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clamped down on emissions rules, and the Mustang engines were designed smaller and more fuel-efficient. Mustang enthusiasts worried that a smaller and more efficient engine would mean a sacrifice in performance, but that was not the case. The Mustang, even with a trimmed-down engine, was just as powerful as ever.
1979 saw the Ford Mustang enter its first year of the third generation with one major change. The extensive update gave birth to a Mustang with more of a contemporary look thanks to the new Fox-body design. While the new design did add interior space, the overall design just wasn’t as eye-catching as previous models. The new-look Mustang wasn’t anything to boast about, but it could still go from zero to 60 mph in just under seven seconds.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw troubled times for the Mustang. In fact, there was talk from Ford that it might discontinue the model. But in 1984, Ford introduced the Mustang SVO, the excellent handling and powerful engine put the Mustang back on good terms with the American people. If history is any indication of triumph and longevity, the 2021 Mustang Mach-E should prove to be a winner.
It’s Electric, and It’s Fast
Electric cars have come a long way and have become widely accepted among the public; even electric sports cars are proving to be big hits. The Mach-E is Ford’s very first all-electric crossover vehicle, and it is a great choice for conscious drivers who want to save money on gas or who want to minimize their carbon footprint. The Mach-E offers two different battery pack options, providing a driving range of up to 305 miles.
For those worried about power and performance, you will sleep better at night knowing that the Mach-E is a very fast and powerful ride. One huge upside to electric engines is in the incredible acceleration they offer, especially from a dead stop. Higher trim levels boast up to 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, which translates to zero to 60 mph of just 3.5 seconds.
Of course, there will be a few things you need to get used to should you have an interest in the Mach-E. For starters, you have to get used to the quiet ride; nobody hears an electric car racing down the street. There are various driving modes with different sounds that will take some getting used to.
It Handles Like a, Well, Mustang
Acceleration is nice, but it is even better in a car that handles well. Mustang enthusiasts will be happy to know that the Mach-E provides excellent handling and steering as well as a smooth and quiet ride. This might be a bit of a surprise considering the crossover body style. The Mach-E is built on a dedicated EV platform, which is Ford’s first. Of course, the heavy battery located on the floor provides much of the road-gripping fun.
For traditional Mustang fans, it will take a while to get used to the electric version. But once you get behind the wheel of the Mach-E and experience the power and fluid motion of the crossover, you will quickly forget you are driving an electric vehicle. We suggest streaming your favorite music through the premium Bang and Olufsen sound system with its ten premium speakers until you get used to the lack of engine noise.
Thanks to Ford’s driver-assist technology, you will feel a lot safer behind the wheel of the Mach-E while maneuvering through winding roads. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 offers quite a few advanced systems, including cameras, sensors, Lane-Keeping assist, and even a speed-sign recognition that alerts you when your foot gets too heavy on the accelerator. Other notable features that increase driver satisfaction include a Blind-Spot Information System and Emergency Automatic Braking.
Yes, It’s Still a Mustang
Purists and naysayers will argue that the Mach-E is not a true Mustang. Of course, this very same group of people said the same thing every time Ford changed up their darling Mustang. We get it; it’s quite difficult delivering an iconic car that is updated and relevant while trying to maintain its traditional aspects. That said, any Mustang enthusiast is going to have their favorite Mustang model, and there will be people who are drawn to the new style.
Ford had the foresight to know that simply slapping a few Mustang logos on a crossover body and calling it a Mustang would not go over very well. What exactly makes a Mustang a Mustang? That’s not a simple question to answer. As far as performance and power, the Mustang has remained relatively consistent over the years. As far as style, well, that has changed considerably over the decades. Regardless of how it looks, the Mach-E is a Mustang at heart.
While it might not closely resemble its predecessors, the design of the Mach-E makes it easy to spot on the road or in a parking lot. It maintains an aggressive look and doesn’t resemble any other electric models in the market. Of course, the height of the Mach-E is something many will have to get used to.
The Mach-E is a Mustang more than in just the name. It delivers everything that Mustang enthusiasts would expect from their beloved pony car. It’s a solid vehicle with stylish looks, a healthy powertrain, and the sporty handling you’d expect from a Mustang. The 2021 Mustang Mach-E boasts all of the technology you would want from a modern car while still delivering a satisfying driving experience. It is the beginning of a new era of the Mustang, and it will take some time for that to sink in. We don’t expect everybody to embrace this new model, but some of you will definitely want to speed to your local dealership to test drive one. And we suspect that even the harshest critics of the Mach-E will eventually realize this is the new direction of the iconic ride and may one day come to admire it.
