American automaker Ford Motor has unveiled a new prototype all-electric race car to showcase the potential performance of its future electric powertrains. This week, the automotive giant revealed new details and images of its upcoming all-electric Mustang Mach-E crossover race car, boasting an electric powertrain that is capable of generating up to 1,400 horsepower.
The prototype vehicle, called the Mustang Mach-E1400, will be a fully functional showpiece that Ford plans to use to promote its new Mach-E electric crossover, which is expected to hit dealerships later this year.
Ford Performance's motorsports director, Mark Rushbrook, described the Mach-E1400 as a learning platform for the company and its engineers. The vehicle was used by Ford to try and learn new ways to enhance and improve its electric powertrain, which in turn will be used to develop future all-electric models.
Ford has reportedly invested more than $11.5 billion in developing its global electric vehicle infrastructure and part of that budget was used to build the new Mach-E1400 concept. The prototype uses the same platform as the standard Mach-E production vehicles, albeit with a number of tweaks and upgrades. The engine's standard 332 horsepower had been increased by more than 400 percent, while its body, aerodynamics, and suspensions had also received significant upgrades.
To achieve the ridiculous amount of power, the Mach-E1400 boasts seven electric motors, five more than the standard Mustang Mach-E. The vehicle's weight had also been greatly reduced with the use of organic composite fiber materials in its hood and body panels. Ford has declined to reveal other details such as its top speed and acceleration.
For buyers of its standard Mach-E models, which will be coming out later in the year, Ford is offering customers different variants to choose from. Buyers can choose either a Standard Range (SR) or Extended Range (ER) model, which will have a maximum range of 338 kilometers and 483 kilometers on a single charge, respectively. Both versions can be equipped with either a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel-drive setup.
Ford is also offering two special performance versions, in the form of the Mach-E GT and the Mach-E GT Special Performance Edition. Both versions will have the same powertrain capable of generating 459 horsepower and 830 Newton-meters of torque. The GT will get to 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill in under 4 seconds, while the Special Performance Edition will get to the same speed in the mid-3-second range. Both vehicles will come with an all-wheel-drive setup. Prices for the new Ford Mach-E will start at $43,895.
