Ford Mustang Mach-E Arrives in Australia

After all of the bulletins throughout 2023, it was nice to see that the Ford Mustang Mach-E had lastly arrived in Brisbane, Queensland. A couple of demonstrator fashions have been sprinkled across the totally different Ford dealerships and we needed to be fast to get a check drive. From the web site, it regarded like solely 4 had arrived and so they have been solely obtainable at every spot for a number of days. So, I booked it early and we drove across the block from the dealership this afternoon.

Ford Mustang Mach-E check drive. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

The Ford web site lists New South Wales, Victori,a and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as “coming quickly.” No dealerships outdoors the inhabitants centres of Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast are listed, including to my perception that there are just a few automobiles obtainable within the nation.

It’s definitely a powerful automobile and a pleasure to drive. Sadly, Ford has positioned extreme restrictions on the check drives and we couldn’t actually check out the specs on the GT model we drove. The SUV in contrast effectively to the Polestar 2 for match, end, and luxury, and the Tesla Mannequin Y for measurement, however was far more costly than each. On the street, the Mach-E Choose is over AU$88,000, the Premium AU$113,000, and the GT AU$124,000. The purple Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency at the moment sells for AU$100,000.

The viewing expertise was relaxed, with no strain utilized. The gross sales rep had some data however was prepared to confess he was nonetheless studying. We performed with the buttons and knobs and realized collectively. The dealership on the north facet of Brisbane has solely lately been licensed by Ford to promote EVs and so it has not but put in a quick charger. The automobile comes with solely a kind 2–to–kind 2 cable, and so trickle charging on the dealership was not an choice.

We have been unable to take the automobile on the freeway to check the 0-to-100 km/h capabilities (marketed as 3.6 seconds – a tiny bit slower than the Tesla Y Efficiency, however rather a lot quicker than the V8 Mustang Mach 1).

The gross sales consultant informed us that the Ford F-150 Lightning won’t come to Australia. Neither is Ford more likely to deliver out any extra petrol Mustangs. However Ford is promoting a plugin hybrid Ranger for 2025. Disgrace we aren’t getting the Chevy Bolt. Prospects who’ve ordered the Mach-E may have to attend for as much as 12 months for some trims. “It will depend on our allocation,” he stated. I reached out to the Mustang Australia Fb group with the query “has anybody taken a Mach E for a check drive?” I obtained the response — “Why would you?”

Beforehand, I had had this barely extra constructive responses from Fb: “Each model needs to be seen to be making an environmentally pleasant automobile. Ticks a field.” And I additionally obtained this: “I’d purchase one. For those who look previous the ‘mustang’ title which individuals appear so oddly fixated on, it’s an amazing efficiency SUV.” I agree.

The electrical blue Mustang Mach-E we drove sat within the seller car parking zone surrounded by Ford’s different huge chunky choices. No Falcons, Fiestas, or Focus. All mild vans and SUVs. The electrical blue of the Mustang Mach-E stood out within the crowd of white, gray, and black. It’s a automobile designed to be seen on the motorway. It may be quiet, however it’s undoubtedly not a boring automobile.

Not like the Tesla Mannequin 3 door handles, which we’re used to (they remind us of our 1964 Wolseley – push within the fats bit and pull out the deal with), the Mustang had a push button on the driving force’s door pillar with enhanced PIN quantity safety. Foot on the brake and press the ON button for the automobile to activate. The button appeared a bit redundant.

The Mustang could be pushed in three totally different settings — Whisper, Lively, and Untamed. These have been offered whimsically on the principle display screen. We have been disenchanted that we couldn’t entry untamed and needed to drive in “energetic.” In energetic, the acceleration was corresponding to our Mannequin 3 SR. Not like the BYD Atto 3, there was not an overuse of bodily buttons on the sprint. Voice management was obtainable for some features. “The place is the closest charging station?” labored.

We thought that the entrance of the Mach-E was an analogous form to the MG ZS EV. The wheels have been superb — they regarded like legs. The automobile may have been just a little extra aerodynamic, however it’s an SUV in spite of everything. The Mach-E has acquainted Mustang options just like the horse emblem and the triple tail lights. I used to be disenchanted that the low velocity warning sound was no more just like the sound of galloping hooves.

Try these wheels. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

The temporary check drive was easy and cozy. I appreciated the flexibility to see among the knowledge on the principle display screen. Having two screens within the Mustang meant that icons may very well be bigger. “I can see the time!” I can’t see this on the Tesla as I want studying glasses and so they don’t go effectively with driving.

Like all new automobiles which might be stuffed with tech it might take a while to discover all of the choices.

Simple to see important display screen. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

The display screen behind the steering had battery capability in each percentages and vary displayed on the similar time. Through the drive, Majella solely checked the smaller display screen behind the steering wheel often to verify she wasn’t exceeding the velocity restrict. Sadly, we solely obtained the possibility to drive across the block in metropolis visitors. “It’s not our automobile,” the rep defined, “Now we have been informed that if somebody places their foot down, now we have to finish the drive.”

Majella did handle to discover a steep hill to test how the Mach-E would deal with it. “Not an issue! Simply as highly effective because the SR going uphill.” The turning circle was additionally related. We returned to the dealership to take a look at extra of the automobile’s options. The Mach-E offers tyre strain readings — however the rep didn’t know that was there. To be truthful, he had solely had the automobile for a number of days. Two gross sales reps had obtained some coaching. Additionally be aware that the Mach-E comes with a transportable air compressor for the tyres.

What has a Mach-E obtained that we don’t have on our Tesla? A 360-degree digital camera and reversing digital camera that provides extra particulars. I felt that it was maybe an excessive amount of enter, although. The boot on the Mach-E is barely smaller in depth than our Tesla 3’s — which was a little bit of a shock when you think about that the Mach E is an SUV. Nonetheless, the frunk is greater, and even has a launch change in case a toddler will get locked in.

Can’t lock the youngsters within the frunk. Photograph courtesy or Majella Waterworth.

The rep reported that that they had had about ten individuals for check drives within the couple of days that the automobile was in situ, and plenty of extra prospects who had ordered the automobile sight unseen. Appears to be like like the electrical pony goes to promote effectively Down Underneath and add to the rise in EV penetration of recent automobile gross sales. As we left, one other couple arrived to take the automobile for a brief canter across the block. Ford is on to a winner — ought to have entered the Melbourne Cup.

Our general impression: It’s automobile that can promote effectively to Ford followers. Whether or not it is going to show widespread with Mustang homeowners and automobile drivers of different manufacturers is to be seen.