[joseodiaga4]

Ford Releases First Image Of Mustang-Inspired Mach 1 Electric SUV

The design sketch reveals the rear end of the vehicle, which features three-piece taillights clearly inspired from the Mustang and a muscular shape with wide haunches.

https://www.carscoops.com/2018/09/ford-releases-first-image-mustang-inspired-mach-1-electric-suv/

 

[badhac]

Well that definitely has a Stang inspired booty.

 

[Assimilator]

Have to say, didn't look like that at Uncovered, it's a little perplexing. But it give you an idea of the wide and low style of the Mach1 compared to other Ford utilities. I like that it no longer looks like just any other Ford utility.

Ford is getting sharper and sharper with the time they have to get it right. The Mustang allusion is all making more sense as it basically becomes the foundation of their surviving performance business now that cars are extinct. I think they have a winning formula to get people to pay attention to their EV efforts.

 

[wingsnut]

Interesting article below that mentions how Mach was quickly redone last winter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2018/09/06/ford-ceo-james-hackett-under-fire-from-wall-street-shows-forbes-the-early-fruits-of-his-turnaround-plan/#69a01d835b6f

 

[glyphics]

Interesting article below that mentions how Mach was quickly redone last winter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2018/09/06/ford-ceo-james-hackett-under-fire-from-wall-street-shows-forbes-the-early-fruits-of-his-turnaround-plan/#69a01d835b6f

Very interesting. It's no secret that I'm not a fan of Hackett but this following quote gives me pause.


"Just weeks earlier, the company’s newly installed chief executive, James Hackett, pulled the plug on Ford’s first dedicated EV, due in 2020, because it was too generic, urging designers to create something that would stand out in a sea of expected plug-in cars. Instead of a “compliance car” to satisfy regulators, he said, it needed to be aspirational. In his typical probing style, he asked: “How are we going to win?”

The answer played out over the next six weeks, as Ford designers and engineers, working nights and weekends, pivoted in an entirely new direction, creating an athletic-looking, battery-powered crossover utility with a targeted range of 300 miles that could compete with high-performance plug-in models from Tesla, Porsche and Jaguar. Ripping up a design that’s six months into development is rare; turning out a new concept in a matter of weeks is virtually unheard of."


That's a rare public instance of Hackett doing exactly the right thing. Deep six the "compliance car" for an "aspirational car." Plus Ford doing a rapid changeover? I can sink my teeth into that except for one thing; he's not talking about a car but about a SUV.

Is that light I see on the eastern horizon?

 

[Assimilator]

I'm still uneasy about the prospect for a Mustang-like crossover, I think they need to take out some of those Mustang signatures but I certainly don't mind the body styling.

 

[AM222]

I'm still uneasy about the prospect for a Mustang-like crossover, I think they need to take out some of those Mustang signatures but I certainly don't mind the body styling.

In terms of styling i'm guessing the EV Mach 1 and Mustang design relation will be like that of the Cayenne and 911.

 

[ewf]

Interesting article below that mentions how Mach was quickly redone last winter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2018/09/06/ford-ceo-james-hackett-under-fire-from-wall-street-shows-forbes-the-early-fruits-of-his-turnaround-plan/#69a01d835b6f

That’s a very interesting article, Wingsnut. I know many people are down on Hackett but I’m inclined to give him a chance. He just needs some time. Particularly interesting is how he has tried to get employees to not just change what they think about but more importantly how they think. The problem seems to be (and this is true of many places besides Ford) that too often employees make decisions with their corporate hats on but when you’re selling a product to consumers it’s important to put on your consumer hat. I see it in my line of work almost every day. It’s a very hard thing to break out of. Hackett, being from Steelcase, probably sees things very differently from his automotive brethren. Steelcase sells the types of products that you can find at mass market furniture stores for much cheaper. Steelcase has higher quality items but how do you convince people to pay a premium in a category that’s in many ways highly commoditized? You have to get into the hearts and minds of the people you want to buy your product. That’s what Hackett was able to accomplish at Steelcase so some of those lessons may be valuable at Ford.

 

[falcon lover]

In terms of styling i'm guessing the EV Mach 1 and Mustang design relation will be like that of the Cayenne and 911.

This is exactly what I was thinking: the Porsche case. Porsche’s business core today is the Cayenne/Macan , not the 911. When Porsche take its DNA and put it on those Crossovers/SUVs, expanded and secured it succes.

Ford can do the same with the Mustang. AN electric crossover with the Mustang DNA is a smart idea. And sure, will be a succes. And this EV must be the first of more Mustang inspired vehicles. I can imagine more cars with the Mustang DNA: some kind of tall 4 door coupe, a 4 door small crossover with the same size of the EcoSport, an hybrid medium size 4 door SUV . That is why I insist Ford needs a sub-brand of vehicles with the label “by Mustang” , placed beside the name of the cars. The Mach 1, by Mustang, could be the first, not the only.

:wink2:

 

[SP1966]

If that image is correct to the eventual production version then I'm not sure how this passes as a crossover. It sure suggests a vehicle much lower to the ground than the Cayenne when you look at what appear to the the wheel arches in relation to the tail lights. Also consider just how massive the rear bumper would have to be below those lights if it were as tall as the Cayenne!

Also, while I understand the desire to draw upon the Mustang heritage, I just don't see how the Mustang design language can transition well to a taller crossover.

This vehicle must be a homerun for two reasons:

1. It marks Ford's entry into the full electric market. If it falls on it's face like Continental has it will be devastating to Ford's reputation.

2. It will also be the only real compliment to the Mustang in terms of Ford performance offerings. Escape and Explorer ST versions are fine, but they aren't vehicles upon which you hang your performance hat but rather are vehicles that borrow their reputation from those that do, which is the Mustang and only the Mustang moving forward. Having a legit performance electric will be a much needed boost to Ford's performance reputation!

 

[Assimilator]

Now you see why Ford is cancelling the car.

 

[Bloggin]

What concerns me about Ford is that OBVIOUS decisions are seen as 'revelations' for them. First it was not already common sense to add a large display screen on a new EV that was to launch in 2020. Were they really going to install a small 6 or 8 inch display??

Now it's just been two weeks that Ford figured out that a 'compliance' EV was not the right direction based on the competition and what consumers are actually buying. Really???

And still they are talking about a Mustang-ish performance SUV. When what is completely obvious is that Ford needs to build a Mustang EV Grand Coupe. Low to the ground to benefit from all the attributes of EV performance technology. Any and all attempts to make this vehicle an SUV will take away from it's performance/aerodynamics/range, etc.

And looking at the image, it looks like Ford is doing just that. It's no SUV but more next gen Mustang EV. Which should offer an EV platform for a Lincoln grand coupe as well.

Just hoping Ford makes the right decision this time, and we don't have to settle for a vehicle that is less than it should be......again.

 

[MKII]

If that image is correct to the eventual production version then I'm not sure how this passes as a crossover.

Ford passes off the KA, Fiesta, and Focus hatches with a couple inch suspension lift as Crossovers. Why would this surprise you? As long as it has roof rack, slightly raised suspension and edged with plastic cladding shes a CUV:wink2: I suppose the trunk lid and rear window will need to be hatch like functional as well.

 

[mooseman]

What concerns me about Ford is that OBVIOUS decisions are seen as 'revelations' for them. First it was not already common sense to add a large display screen on a new EV that was to launch in 2020. Were they really going to install a small 6 or 8 inch display??

Now it's just been two weeks that Ford figured out that a 'compliance' EV was not the right direction based on the competition and what consumers are actually buying. Really???

And still they are talking about a Mustang-ish performance SUV. When what is completely obvious is that Ford needs to build a Mustang EV Grand Coupe. Low to the ground to benefit from all the attributes of EV performance technology. Any and all attempts to make this vehicle an SUV will take away from it's performance/aerodynamics/range, etc.

And looking at the image, it looks like Ford is doing just that. It's no SUV but more next gen Mustang EV. Which should offer an EV platform for a Lincoln grand coupe as well.

Just hoping Ford makes the right decision this time, and we don't have to settle for a vehicle that is less than it should be......again.

^ all of this. As I have said before, it's as if no one at Ford ever drove an electric car. ****, it should have been/be mandatory that everyone working for the Edison Project drive an EV. How can you build something you know nothing about? I'm excited for the Evos/Mach if they'll actually build it. I'd love to see Ford mix it up with the luxury brands who are bringing out boring generic CUVs for their first efforts. Hey, look an E-Tron! Wait, no, that's a Q, uhm, 3? 5? 8? Gosh, look an I-Pa...wait, no that's an E-Pace? Wow! Look! A Tie-Kaaaaaahhhhhnnnn, wait, or is that a Paname...no, that's a Tie-Kaaaahhhhhhhnn.


Let's go, Ford. Sharpish.

 

[mooseman]

Ford passes off the KA, Fiesta, and Focus hatches with a couple inch suspension lift as Crossovers. Why would this surprise you? As long as it has roof rack, slightly raised suspension and edged with plastic cladding shes a CUV:wink2: I suppose the trunk lid and rear window will need to be hatch like functional as well.

Hopefully it is more of a chunky-A7 with a slightly more useable hatch area. The A7 is a little droopy for my taste.

 

[badhac]

Now you see why Ford is cancelling the car.

I still think a lot of the sales has to do with the fact that Fords cars are all older than dirt. Fiesta and Taurus have been on sale since 2010, Focus 2011, and Fusion since 2012 with barely any changes. Yet the Japanese brands have no issues selling cars. **** even Subaru and Mazda are keeping cars and and they sell nowhere near as many as Ford. Ford has just been so unwilling to put effort into anything thats not an F-Series and now its biting them in the butt, so rather than address it they are giving up.

 

[rmc523]

I still think a lot of the sales has to do with the fact that Fords cars are all older than dirt. Fiesta and Taurus have been on sale since 2010, Focus 2011, and Fusion since 2012 with barely any changes. Yet the Japanese brands have no issues selling cars. **** even Subaru and Mazda are keeping cars and and they sell nowhere near as many as Ford. Ford has just been so unwilling to put effort into anything thats not an F-Series and now its biting them in the butt, so rather than address it they are giving up.

They are too having issues.....sedan sales across all brands are dropping like a rock - even new completely redesigned models.

 

[The Handler]

I still think a lot of the sales has to do with the fact that Fords cars are all older than dirt. Fiesta and Taurus have been on sale since 2010, Focus 2011, and Fusion since 2012 with barely any changes. Yet the Japanese brands have no issues selling cars. **** even Subaru and Mazda are keeping cars and and they sell nowhere near as many as Ford. Ford has just been so unwilling to put effort into anything thats not an F-Series and now its biting them in the butt, so rather than address it they are giving up.

It has more to do with the fact that both cars are mediocre. For instance, there's nothing full-size about the Taurus' disgraceful backseat. You're better off buying an Edge or Explorer.

Also, people don't realize CAFE and the Gas Guzzler Tax mostly killed the true large sedans and wagons. Their "full-size" replacements were merely EWB intermediates, but they did not fulfill the needs of the consumer. Trucks were exempt, so the 4-door family SUV was born.

 

[wingsnut]

It has more to do with the fact that both cars are mediocre. For instance, there's nothing full-size about the Taurus' disgraceful backseat. You're better off buying an Edge or Explorer.

Also, people don't realize CAFE and the Gas Guzzler Tax mostly killed the true large sedans and wagons. Their "full-size" replacements were merely EWB intermediates, but they did not fulfill the needs of the consumer. Trucks were exempt, so the 4-door family SUV was born.

I have been driving my Taurus for the last 18 months, and I have to say, the Taurus back seat offers a ton of hip space, class leading head room (both very important), and the knee space to the back seat is pretty good. I am 5'11" and have plenty of room. Certainly not class leading, but I think people are propagating a rumor that is not entirely true.

 

[glyphics]

Sales of Camri and Accord from 2015-2017 dropped slightly less than 10% and Honda could have stemmed that tide with better incentives and something they avoid, fleet sales. Hardly dropping like a rock. Fusion over the same time span dropped 35%. Yes it is a downward trend but I think that rumors of the death of the sedan are slightly exaggerated.

Automakers certainly took advantage of the CAFE gas-guzzler exemption for trucks. Suddenly there was a whole new cohort addicted to the driving posture called "king-of-the-road." Just as suddenly it became almost impossible for sedan drivers to see the road ahead of the growing number of bricks out there. Many of those bought SUVs just so they could see the road ahead. Now those things are everywhere, bigger and heavier and guzzling more gas but still only carrying 1.2 persons on average.

I can only hope for big things from the Mach 1 and its siblings. SUVs are getting shorter and shorter as they evolve. I have a feeling that sedans will make a comeback. They may be taller and less sleek but this two-box stuff is boring as ****. Plus you can't hide stuff in the trunk of SUVs. You know, like dead bodies and contraband; the usual stuff.