Ford Mustang Mach-E leaks online

Electric SUV gets controversial Mustang styling cues as it bids to take on the Tesla Model Y

Ford is clearly playing the marketing game by slapping the Mustang’s nameplate and styling cues onto its upcoming Tesla Model Y rival, images of which have leaked online. The Ford Mustang Mach-E (yep, seriously) configurator was accidentally put live early, revealing the car’s full name and showing that its lights and lengthy bonnet will take inspiration from those of the iconic Pony car. It’s thought that the controversial decision to tie these two contrasting models together has been made to enhance the EV’s appeal in China (where the Mustang’s history is much briefer) while riding the wave of global success felt by the V8 and four-cylinder two-door coupe.

Ford will no doubt have factored in the inevitable backlash such a decision is going to face, with longstanding ‘Stang fans in the US set to be particularly offended by the Mach-E’s arrival. Think of the dissatisfaction in Europe over the reintroduction of the Puma as a crossover - and then times that by a billion. In contrast to the Puma, however, the Mach-E will at least come with the straight-line performance of something actually sporting. While it’s set to come in a variety of power outputs, the quickest will be capable of hitting 60mph in a “mid-three second” time and even the slowest will only take about 6.5 seconds, which ought to appease those who care most about the numbers.

To compete with Tesla’s broadly-capable Model Y, the Mach-E’s electric powertrain will be available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive forms. Its range is set to be between 230 and 300 miles depending on the specification (according to the US’s EPA), too, meaning the Mustang Mach-E will rank right alongside its Tesla rival. The Blue Oval’s EV is expected to reach roads in early 2020, with orders to be taken immediately after the car’s mid-November launch, so the real-world battle is right around the corner – and Ford’s contender should have a decent head start over the likes of Audi’s Q4-sized e-tron and Polestar’s 2.

Back in the world of proper performance machines, the Mach-E’s arrival likely signals the broader use of the Mustang name in Ford’s range. It’s thought the coupe will get an EV version as well – albeit further into the future – as hinted by the 900hp Mustang EV shown at SEMA. That seems somewhat inevitable, given the direction of the industry. But let’s just hope such a variant will ensure the survival of a thumping V8 model at the line-up’s other end, rather than spell the death of it.