ION HORSE

FORD’S 1000kW/2000NM ALL-PAW MACH-E DRIFT MONSTER HINTS AT THE POSSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTRIFIED FUTURE

- LOUIS CORDONY

LET’S GET SOMETHING straight. Ford’s new Mustang Mach-E might deliver the goods as an all-electric crossover when it debuts next year, but as far as those who already worship the rear-drive V8 are concerned, it’s hard not to feel there’s more thoroughbred to be found in, well, dog food.

To get the diehards even half onboard, Ford, obviously, has a bit of convincing to do – so it’s drafted in a silent weapon, of sorts. The Mustang Mach-E 1400 you see here is electric, based on a Mustang Mach-E and unleashes 1044kW (1400hp). It mixes equal parts drift monster and time-attack machine with WRC aero and cutting-edge electric tech. But before we get into how it does these things, first some bad news. You can’t buy one. And the cost to approve one probably set off an alarm in Ford’s accounts office, even if it would have been a drop in the ocean compared to the awesome US$11.5b it’s plugging into EV development on the whole.