Potent new Mustang is unlike any before it

The Mach-E is the Blue Oval’s first fully-electric SUV and they have controversially added the Mustang nameplate – previously worn by legendary V8-powered two-door sports cars – to a four-door, zero-emissions SUV.

Prices start from $79,990 (before on-road costs) for the base Select variant. Key rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are priced at about $79,000 drive-away.

The mid-tier Mach-E Premium is priced from $92,990 and the performance focused Mach-E GT starts at $108,990.

Ford Australia says there has been excellent customer feedback ahead of the opening of online orders.

“We’ve had a brilliant response to Mustang Mach-E since we confirmed it for Australia a few weeks ago and can’t wait to give customers the chance to get behind the wheel later this year,” says Ford Australia boss, Andrew Birkic.

The entry-level Mach-E Select is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor making 198kW and 430Nm. Its 71kWh battery provides a driving range of up to 470km.

Select versions come with a swag of standard goodies such as a 15.5-inch infotainment screen, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless phone charging and plenty of safety gear.

Customers can expect faux-leather upholstery and electronically adjustable front seats as well as plenty of cargo space with a “frunk” – or front trunk – complementing the usual boot space.

The mid-tier Mach-E Premium has a more potent 216kW/430Nm electric motor and a bigger 91kWh battery that boosts driving range to a segment leading 600km.

It also comes with additional gear such as LED headlights, premium scuff plates and pedals, multi-coloured ambient lighting and red contrast stitching on the faux-leather upholstery.

Range-topping Mach-E GT variants have two electric motors – one on each axle for all-wheel drive – that combine for a ballistic 358kW and 860Nm. It uses the bigger 91kWh battery that provides a driving range of up to 490km.

Ford claims the GT can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds, which puts it in the same territory as potent sport sedans such as the BMW M3

The maker’s active suspension can adjust the dampers up to 1000 times a second to respond to real-time adjustments in the road conditions and driving style.

The Blue Oval has added a racetrack specific driving mode to the GT called “Untamed”.

Untamed mode sharpens steering, quickens throttle response and adjusts a range of features such as traction and stability controls and all-wheel drive power delivery.

The GT is fitted with performance focused parts including grippy Pirelli tyres and big Brembo front brakes.

Its main rival is the Circa-$110,000 drive-away Kia EV6 GT that boasts 430kW/740Nm of dual motor power and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.5 seconds. It also benefits from locally tuned electronic active suspension.

All Mach-Es will have access to the brand’s connected FordPass app. This allows owners to find nearby chargers, know the distance to empty and battery charge levels.

Users can also enter their destination into the app and it can identify charging stops along the way and when a user will need them. It will also estimate how long they need to spend at each charger.