Can anyone think of a more fitting location to really accelerate in an electric vehicle for the first time than the highly publicized DirtFish Rally School on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington? Perhaps, but it’s hard to imagine. Especially with the gravel damp from a day of refreshing spring rain in the Pacific Northwest.
Yet, here I am, sitting behind the wheel of the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, obediently—and evidently too slowly—following instructions as a remarkably patient rally instructor encourages me to “give it some real throttle this time.” Shortly after this cue, almost intentionally, I drift sideways.
If this sounds enticing, then yes, absolutely. The Mustang Mach-E Rally, arguably Ford’s most impressive entry in the contentious world of electric vehicles in 2024, demonstrates the readiness of the Detroit automaker to captivate. (Contentious because not everyone agrees that a crossover, regardless of being electric or not, should bear the Mustang name.)
The future of Ford’s electric division may be uncertain, or at the very least complex—more on that later—but the Mustang Mach-E Rally showcases the company’s willingness to deploy a few strategies to entice a new audience to ditch the gas pump and opt for the plug.
Off-Road Electric Vehicle
This marks Ford’s debut in creating an electric vehicle inspired by rally events. It’s important to note the term “rally-inspired”—those seeking a vehicle akin to Ari Vatanen’s famous record-setting ride at the 1988 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, immortalized in Climb Dance (go to 3:08 to witness Ari’s effortless brilliance in action), might be disappointed.
What you do receive, in comparison to the Mach-E GT model, are several enhancements to make the EV more suitable for rugged, slippery terrains: increased suspension height by an inch, protective shielding for the front and rear motors, rally-style wheels equipped with Michelin CrossClimate2 tires (designed for sliding), two front hood racing stripes, and naturally, a rear spoiler. At the DirtFish event hosted by Ford, courteous individuals meticulously cleaned the mud off the Rally’s windshield and driver’s door in between laps, though this is not standard.
The Mach-E Rally is equipped with RallySport Drive Mode, optimized for off-road driving with increased yaw (allowing for more sliding) and aggressive damping for improved handling on gravelly turns. Along with the additional inch of ground clearance is Ford’s MagneRide suspension system, capable of adapting to changing road conditions. It operates using embedded sensors and pistons containing magnetic damper fluid, adjusting the shocks to be firmer or softer as needed by the road surface.
In real-world testing, the RallySport Drive Mode delivers a noticeably more relaxed ride, with the SUV exhibiting a greater willingness to slide. Nonetheless, the vehicle prevented a rally novice from humiliating herself, let alone endangering herself—making the experience incredibly enjoyable. Even in the mud, I felt I grasped the technique swiftly. (Of course, with the guidance of an instructor giving incredibly precise braking commands.)
One of the benefits of driving an electric vehicle is the instant power delivery without the hassle of gear changes, a feature appreciated by someone like me, an American who can’t recall the last time she drove a manual transmission vehicle, let alone had the chance to drive one.
