What happens when you combine the passion of automotive enthusiasts with brilliant design and engineering? You get the all-new Mustang Mach-E Rally - an electric rally-inspired SUV that's ready to conquer the dirt tracks.
The idea started in 2022 as a casual conversation among Ford's product planners - "Can we make a rally version of the Mustang Mach-E?" To find out, they took a hand-me-down Mach-E GT, tossed on some knobby tires, and headed out to put it through its paces on Ford's off-road testing grounds. The verdict? This electric pony had some serious off-road chops.
From there, the team got to work making the rallycross dream a reality. They gave the Mach-E Rally a 1-inch suspension lift with custom shocks and springs to soak up the rough terrain. 19-inch white-painted wheels wrapped in burly Michelin CrossClimate2 tires provide the traction, while underbody protection ensures the components stay grime-free.
But a true rally car needs more than just capability - it needs to look the part too. Aggressive body cladding, a front splitter, rear spoiler, and those iconic fog lights give the Mach-E Rally an unmistakable high-performance presence.
Of course, making a rally-ready electric vehicle is no small feat. Ford's engineers, led by off-road guru Chris Berchin, subjected the Mach-E Rally to a grueling 500-mile torture test simulating 10 years of rallycross racing. They pounded it through mud, dirt, and every condition in between to ensure it could walk the walk.
"We threw everything at this vehicle - rain, snow, mud holes - you name it," said Berchin. "The goal was to create an authentic rallycross experience, and I'm confident we nailed it."
That authenticity even extended to designing an actual rallycross course from scratch at Ford's Michigan Proving Grounds. The engineers attended races, interviewed drivers, and used cutting-edge simulation to meticulously lay out a circuit with the right high-speed sweepers, tight hairpins, and dramatic elevation changes.
Under the hood, the Mach-E Rally receives a comprehensive round of performance upgrades as well. The powertrain, traction control system, and MagneRide adaptive suspension have been re-tuned specifically for loose dirt surfaces. A new "RallySport" drive mode allows for more aggressive dynamics, with increased yaw for sliding the tail out, quicker throttle response, and firmer damping for confidence in the twisties.
The path from back-room idea to consumer-ready product was an impressive feat accomplished entirely in-house by Ford - so much so that the Mach-E Rally team received an internal engineering validation award. But the biggest prize? Seeing this electrified rally machine tear up the dirt tracks very soon.
So, to all the cynics who said EVs and off-roading don't mix - think again. With ingenuity, cutting-edge tech, and a ton of passion, Ford has created a rallycross beast that also happens to be powered by electricity.
