The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally introduces an exciting new variant of performance electric vehicles (EVs), drawing inspiration from the rally heritage of cars like the Subaru WRX and Focus RS. For those longing for the days when rally-inspired vehicles were more prevalent, Ford is ready to produce more options, contingent on the reception of this initial venture after several years.
During my recent experience testing the Mach-E Rally at DirtFish Rally School, I spoke with Peter Schultz, the program manager for the Mach-E. He mentioned that the rallycross track created by Ford at its Michigan Proving Grounds for the Mach-E Rally could be utilized for future models. This opens the door for additional rally-ready vehicles, provided there’s sufficient interest from consumers.
“Chris [Berchin, off-road attributes engineer] and our Michigan Proving Grounds team designed the track specifically for rallycross,” Schultz explained. “They put in significant effort to ensure the course met high standards. This initiative not only resulted in a quality track but also established a new corporate test procedure that had not been implemented previously. This innovation opens up additional opportunities for utilizing the Proving Grounds.”
With the rallycross test track and a testing methodology designed to simulate years’ worth of racing, Ford is well-equipped to create more hybrid-surface vehicles like the Mach-E Rally. Schultz indicated that if the response is positive, the company may consider producing additional models in this category.
“If we receive strong feedback, it could encourage us to collaborate with more teams and innovate further. The options are now much broader than before,” Schultz noted.
“We’ve seen excitement surrounding products like the Lamborghini [Huracan Sterrato] and Porsche [911 Dakar]. There’s a growing interest in this niche, reflected in movements like the ‘safari all the things’ trend.”
Ford has established itself as a leader in off-road performance, as showcased by its robust lineup including the F-150, Ranger, and Bronco Raptors. The next logical step to connect these models with the Mach-E Rally is the upcoming sporty variant of the Maverick, which could transform into an impressive sub-Raptor truck with some enhancements.
Other viable candidates include the 2.0-liter Bronco Sport, the Explorer ST, or even the classic V8 Mustang, despite CEO Jim Farley expressing uncertainty about the latter. There was previously talk of an all-wheel-drive version, but it’s likely that enthusiasts would prefer it to remain rear-wheel-drive for better handling dynamics. A four-door model with a manual transmission would be ideal, though one can only hope.
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