Ford NZ makes good on vow to place electric Mustang under $80k barrier

CLEAN car rebate eligibility has attached to the Mustang Mach-E, with the entry edition of the sports utility scooting into the zone with $10 to spare.

The rear-drive edition’s placement at $79,990 means it lineballs against the new Volkswagen ID.4, Kia’s EV6 and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, which are slightly smaller cars, and sits slightly above Tesla’s Model 3.

All save the Ioniq 5 gain rebate eligibility for Government’s $8625 refund with batteries of similar capacity to the entry Mustang’s, which is rated at 75.7kWh. Kia’s long-range with a 77.4kWh unit regained rebate eligibility when a $5000 price lift signalled in late June was swiftly rescinded.

Ford New Zealand has two other versions coming, both in dual motor – so all-wheel-drive - and with a 98.7kWh battery. Mach-E AWD and Mach-E GT will cost $109,990 and $124,990 respectively.

The rear-drive car has a factory-claimed range of 440 kilometres, makes 198kW and 430Nm and clocks 0-100kmh in 6.1 seconds, whereas the AWD will cover 550kms, packs 258kW/560Nm and hits the open road limit from a standstill in 5.1s.

The GT is gruntier and faster still: It runs to 358kW and 860Nm and will hit 0-100kmh in 3.7 seconds – which makes it the fastest five-seater Ford has ever sold here but puts it narrowly behind the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the 430kW/740Nm EV6 GT, which is set to be a $140,000 car.

The performance Mach-E’s effort comes at expense of range, which drops to a cited 490kms.

An online reservation system went live this afternoon, with more than 200 customers already signed up, Ford claims.

Ford still hasn’t nailed down an exact delivery time for its first production electric developed from the ground up, beyond saying it should be here in the second quarter, April-June.

While the entry car deserves the spotlight on grounds it gains the assistance package that is proven in firing up EV interest, Ford NZ prefers to talk up the big cojone GT, which is says is a supercar-beater.

In addition to being kitted with an adaptive suspension and Brembo performance brakes, the flagship has a unique powertrain calibration that engages more torque to the rear wheels that occurs with the standard AWD car, supported by specially-developed tyres that can distribute the extreme torque to the road surface.

In addition, it has an Untamed Plus mode 3 designed to help drivers balance the powertrain output on a track for lap time consistency – simultaneously adjusting traction and stability control for a more exciting driving experience where regulations and conditions allow.

Bespoke specification includes Ford Performance sports seats, standard 20-inch alloy wheels, exclusive Star White and Cyber Orange colours, and unique body-styling.

“Mustang Mach-E GT dials up the fun-to-drive experience in an all-electric powertrain,” said Rachel White, marketing manager for passenger vehicles, Ford New Zealand.

“This is a refined, premium specification five-seater SUV with the acceleration of a super-car and zero tailpipe emissions – a combination that is sure to put a smile on quite a few faces.”