Ford Motor has developed an upcoming racing version of its all-electric Mustang Mach-E crossover with 1,400 horsepower.
The automaker prepares to use the prototype vehicle, which it’s calling the Mustang Mach-E 1400, to flaunt the potential performance of all-electric vehicles as the new crossover starts arriving in dealerships later this year.
“It’s an all-around athlete,” said Mark Rushbrook, motorsports director of Ford Performance, to CNBC. He referred the vehicle as a “learning platform” for the automaker to make use of the aspects of for its future all-electric vehicles.
Ford is investing over $11.5 billion in electric vehicles globally, including the Mustang Mach-E, through 2022.
The Mustang Mach-E 1400 used the body of the production vehicle but its parts are kinda different than the one for costumers. Engineers optimized the crossover’s aerodynamics, chassis, and other systems to increase the performance.
The crossover includes seven electric motors — five more compared to the Mustang Mach-E that will sell later in 2020 — that power the vehicle. The hood also is made of organic composite fibers, a lightweight alternative to the carbon fiber that makes up the rest of the vehicle.
Ford refused to reveal the top speed, maximum horsepower and other performance attributes of the racer. The Mustang Mach-E GT for costumers is expected to achieve 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds with an estimated 459 horsepower and 612 pound-foot of torque, according to the automaker.
Automakers have used racing prototypes to test and develop performance technologies. As Ford started to offer additional all-electric vehicles, Rushbrook said such a strategy is expected to continue.
With racing, the automaker intends “to push the envelope, learn, innovate and bring it back to the mainstream cars and products that we sell to customers,” he said. “This is part of that as well.”
The Mustang Mach-E 1400 is expected to launch at a NASCAR “race soon”. It includes three passenger seats for the company to provide the public rides in at events.
