Ford Had to Beg Bill Ford to Return a Mustang Mach-E Prototype
Having Ford as your last name comes with a unique set of perks. In the case of Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, it came in the shape of a Mustang Mach-E prototype. Funny enough, the Mach-E’s design and production team faced a unique challenge getting the prototype back after the Ford executive had fallen in love with it. According to The Detroit Free Press, the Ford executive kept asking for an extension of his test drive, only to give it back later reluctantly.
How did Bill Ford end up with a Mustang Mach-E prototype?
According to Ford, customer deliveries of the Mustang Mach-E are set to begin toward the end of 2020. As a result, the development teams are most likely covering the final miles of testing as the all-electric SUV goes into production. The result is that various Ford engineers and executives likely now have the chance to drive prototypes that closely resemble the production-spec. Bill Ford was one of those lucky few that got an early drive.
Aside from the obvious last name connection, Bill Ford is Ford’s executive chairman. At the beginning of October, the Mustang Mach-E’s design and production team supplied the executive with a Mach-E prototype. While most of the Mach-E’s development is likely completed, a prototype loaner gives Ford’s executives time to get acquainted with the product.
According to The Detroit Free Press, Bill Ford is a massive fan of the Mustang. As a result, Bill had a tough time returning the all-electric SUV, repeatedly asking for an extension of his loan.
How much does Ford’s electric SUV cost?
As development comes to a close and customer deliveries are just around the corner, you may want to get in line if you want a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Ford has only announced three trim levels for the all-electric SUV. The first is the Select, which starts at $42,895 and produces 266 hp from its electric motors. In terms of powertrain, the only available option is the addition of all-wheel drive. The Select has an estimated range of 230 miles with RWD and 210 miles with AWD.
Next up is the Premium for $47,000. Like the Select, the Premium has an available extended range option. For $5,000 with RWD or $7,700 with AWD, you’ll be able to get up to 300 miles of electric range. The Mustang Mach-E’s first special edition is the California Route 1, which features a unique aesthetic and starts at $49,800. Unlike the other trim levels, the California Route 1 comes exclusively with RWD and the long range battery pack.
The range-topping trim level is the GT, which starts at $60,500. While the other Mach-E versions focus largely on efficiency, the GT is the quickest by far. Offered exclusively with AWD and the extended range battery pack, the Mach-E GT can reach 60 mph in under four seconds.
When will the Mustang Mach-E hit the streets?
If Ford’s U.S. website is anything to go by, customer deliveries of the Mustang Mach-E should begin toward the end of 2020. However, not all of the trim levels will be available at the same time. For now, you can order the three lowest trim levels, the Select, Premium, and California Route 1. As of writing, these three trim levels are set to arrive toward the end of 2020. The range-topping GT trim is not available to order. Although you can reserve it, deliveries for the Mach-E GT are scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2021.
