There’s a good chance that you’ve heard phrases like “there are two sides to every coin” or “it’s all about perspective.” While these nuggets of wisdom are often used to teach a lesson like getting both sides to the story or as gentle reminders that not everything is as it seems, they aptly apply to Ford’s current situation with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. The all-new electric crossover is one of the most divisive vehicles to hit the road in the last few years. So, why are some flocking to their nearest Ford electric car dealership to get behind the wheel of the Mach-E while others promise to never sit behind its wheel? It’s all about perspective.
Mustang History
Before we can dive into understanding the two sides of the Mach-E debate, it’s important to recount the history of the iconic Mustang. Developed on a shoestring budget and named after a World War II fighter plane, the Mustang debuted at the World’s Fair in 1964. It was marketed as the “working man’s Thunderbird” and enjoyed immediate success as America’s original pony car. Surprisingly, Ford didn’t plan for the car’s massive success and projected around 100,000 sales in the first year. On April 17, 1964, the day of the Mustang’s official debut, dealerships sold over 22,000 models.
Launching a new genre in the automotive industry, the Mustang continued to evolve with each new generation while maintaining its reputation as the original pony car. Along the way, it earned numerous awards and honors while also carving out its place in pop culture thanks to films like Goldfinger, Bullitt, John Wick, and Gone in 60 Seconds that featured the iconic speed demon. Ford’s constant innovation, the Mustang’s numerous honors, and its Hollywood appearances pushed its exclusivity even further. This, of course, made the Mustang all the more popular even if it was out of reach and impractical for most people to own.
Heads or Tails? The Two Sides to the Mach-E Debate
The Mustang’s reputation and history are at the heart of the Mach-E debate. The two sides of the coin are those who are entirely against the Mach-E and those who excitedly await its arrival at their local Ford electric car dealership. So, where will you fall in the debate? Heads, you’ll hate it. Tails, you’ll love it.
Heads, You’ll Hate It
For many Ford fans and Mustang lovers, the 2021 Mustang Mach-E has done nothing more than steal its name from an icon. It doesn’t matter that the electric crossover is set to deliver a 300-mile range or phenomenal power; the Mach-E is cashing in on the Mustang name and is the furthest thing from the original pony car that you can get. Because of this, the Mach-E is diluting the Mustang’s rich history and stripping it of its glory as the original pony car. Add in the fact that the all-electric SUV is marketed to the masses instead of mirroring the exclusivity of the Mustang, and you can easily see why so many Mustang loyalists are upset that Ford is toying with the reputation of a legend.
Tails, You’ll Love It
While there are plenty of Mustang fans who can’t get excited about the Mach-E, there are thousands of others who have built their dream models and placed their orders. For Mach-E fans, the all-electric Mustang SUV doesn’t just carry the Mustang name; it also reflects its spirit, style, and legendary history. The Mach-E does this in its appearance by mirroring the Mustang’s curves and silhouette as well as in its capability. And wow, is it ever capable! The Mach-E promises a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 5.2 seconds, with this time bettered only by the Mach-E GT that delivers 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
Plenty of Reasons to Love It
Depending on your perspective and how willing you are to move past the Mustang name to a world of electrified possibility and power, there are plenty of reasons to love the 2021 Mustang Mach-E. You’ll find that it’s an impressive electric crossover that offers exceptional capability, efficiency, and the reliability and innovation that Ford is known for delivering. This alone makes it remarkable, but what other reasons make the Mach-E hard not to love?
Strikes Like Lightning
Shortly before debuting the Model T, Henry Ford promised a vehicle that would “strike like forked lightning.” Ford continues that tradition and proves that an electric vehicle can offer exceptional power and still be good for the environment. This power comes to the tune of up to 346 horsepower and up to 428 lb-ft of torque, but it only gets better from there!
The Mach-E GT and the Mach-E GT Performance Edition are set to outperform Porsche’s fastest models and will deliver 480 horsepower with the GT slated to produce 600 lb-ft of torque and the Performance Edition at 634 lb-ft of torque. While this seems like a modest difference, it’s enough to shave time off the Mach-E’s launch speed from 0 to 60 mph. The GT takes 3.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is faster than the Porsche Macan Turbo. The GT Performance Edition hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds to match Porsche’s 911 GTS head-to-head.
An Electrifying Experience
Ford ups the ante of the Mach-E’s unbridled power by giving you more control behind the wheel. This control comes from three custom drive experiences – Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled – that allow you to finetune how the Mach-E performs. The unique drive modes tune the crossover’s responsiveness and steering as well as provide different ambient lighting based on the chosen setting. The modes also provide a unique sound experience that gives you a thrilling experience the moment you start the ignition.
Innovation At Your Fingertips
The Mach-E embodies Ford’s commitment to innovation with its exceptional suite of connectivity features. The heart of this connectivity is the 15.5-inch touchscreen display that houses Ford’s next-generation SYNC 4 infotainment system. Allowing you to swipe through the screen, pinch to zoom in, and more, the SYNC 4 system puts everything you need at your fingertips, whether you’re looking to sync your phone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto or needing the fastest route from Point A to Point B using the most up-to-date navigation. The Mach-E can handle it all with ease, thanks to over-the-air updates that ensure it delivers the latest features and technology wherever the road takes you.
Heads or Tails? Love It or Hate It?
Where do you fall in the 2021 Mustang Mach-E debate? Do you love it or hate it? Do you feel like the Mach-E has stolen the Mustang name and diluted the pony car’s legacy, or are you excited to see what all the hype is about and if it actually lives up to its namesake? While it’s easy to make the argument that the Mach-E doesn’t look like a Mustang (not even close), you can’t ignore the fact that the electric crossover shares the Mustang’s power and capability. After all, it’s all about perspective. At the end of the day, there’s no denying the Mach-E will bring the heat when it hits the road, and that’s certainly a nod to the original pony car.
