Ford’s upcoming “Mustang inspired” electric crossover, which appeared (or didn’t, really) in a video shown the Detroit auto show, stands to ride on a new architecture that doesn’t bring to mind either the Mustang or the Explorer.
While a new report doesn’t provide us with an OEM-sourced image of the 2020 crossover, which may carry the Mach 1 name, it gives as sense of what to expect in terms of size.
According to Autocar, Ford’s performance EV utility vehicle will adopt the C2 platform that underpins the next-generation Focus. With Ford largely leaving the passenger car segment, U.S. buyers will see that model in the form of the Focus Active — a slightly lifted, crossover-ized version of the five-door hatch.
The C2 platform, lighter and stiffer than its predecessor, will also appear under the next-generation Escape and Lincoln MKC.
Ford’s unnamed EV carried the codename CX430, and will appear in 2019 before deliveries begin (in the UK, anyway) the following year. Driving range is 300 miles, Ford claims. As the C2 platform is front-drive architecture, it’s assumed the EV will have an electric motor powering the front wheels only, though “performance” implies four-wheel/dual motor motivation.
Autocar provided a rendering of what it thinks the vehicle might look like, complete with exaggerated wheels, a lowered roofline, and steeply slanted front and rear glass. While it seems there’ll be an attempt to make the vehicle appealing to driving enthusiasts, Ford’s head of global markets, Jim Farley, recently described it as “a vehicle with the profile of a Porsche Cayenne and the swagger of a four door Mustang.”
See Cayenne below for reference:
Basically, we can expect a vehicle with an Escape-sized footprint, though styling could go any number of directions. Ford needs the vehicle to retain its utility factor, so cargo space and passenger room volume can’t be too compromised by exciting sheetmetal. Instant electric torque and a low center of gravity should aid the vehicle’s performance and handling.
[Images: Ford, Porsche]
The Frankenford will also be brought to life with electricity, to haunt the dreams of every car lover – I so want this thing to look like a mustang just to see the reaction from all the Ford guys.
Not that hard when you put a corporate front end on everything. I dont think the Mustang faithful will care all that much unless Ford says “Welcome to the future with the BRAND NEW MUSTANG!”
They might even embrace it as a faux Mustang based sedan of sorts… who knows???
The last time they pulled this I was happy and would pay real money for a gen 2 Probe GT with a stick if I could find one. One of those cars from my youth that have all but disappeared.
This is my shocked face —-> :-o
Come see the all new 2019 “Mustang inspired”… Ford Transit!
Hey at least it’s RWD
Jim HACKett strikes again.
If I see the Mach 1 name on anything that isn’t a Mustang I may take matters into my own hands.
Who else wants to come with me to burn down Ford HQ?
I dont think you have much to worry about, the faithful were resounding in thier response to that bit of foolishness.
This has the potential to be a fail of epic proportions.
I remember the Edsel…
Edsel was known initially as a mysterious E-car. This one is E-CUV. That is how Edsel CUV would look like (see Cayenne above). Why not call electric brand e-Dsel? Musk named his brand Tesla and everybody is happy. At least Edsel starts with e. Electrified DieSEL.
Actually, I’m sort of okay with this concept. Part of my consternation was Ford would have nothing fun to drive–sans Mustang. I really can’t believe we’ve seen the last of Focus ST Just don’t call this new thing Mach anything.