Mustang Mach-E GT, Performance Edition shatter Ford’s targeted EPA-estimated ranges

It’s got range, baby.

This is about high-performance vehicles and distance on a battery charge.

The all-electric Mustang Mach-E GT and GT Performance Edition completed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification and crushed company goals, Ford Motor Co. announced.

Ford revealed it had hoped to achieve an EPA-estimated range of 250 miles on a full battery charge but, instead, reached 270 miles with the GT. Meanwhile, on the GT Performance Edition, Ford was shooting for an EPA-estimated range of 235 miles but, instead, reached 260 miles.

What’s the difference between the models?

The 0-60 mph on the Performance Edition is 3.5 seconds.

The 0-60 mph on the GT is 3.8 seconds.

By comparison, the 0-60 on the standard Mach-E ranges from 4.8 second to 6.1 seconds. Battery size in the vehicle plays a key role.

“More than half of our orders for the #MustangMachE GT have been for the Performance Edition,” Ford CEO Jim Farley tweeted.

Farley, a competitive race car driver, told the Free Press months ago that he had ordered the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. He has earned a reputation over the years for appreciating speed and handling, on and off the track.

Demand for the Mustang Mach-E First Edition was sold out and orders have been steadily flowing for other non-GT models. Industry data shows the all-electric Ford vehicle is stealing customers from competitors.

Darren Palmer, Ford global director, battery electric vehicles, said in a news release on Wednesday that the company has had GT and Performance Edition orders come in from every state in the country.

“I’m really thrilled with what the team has achieved here,” he told the Free Press. “It’s not easy engineering a performance BEV (battery electric vehicle) as capable as this and with this much range.”

Ford is careful to note that range results may be impacted by weather, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and health.

“Whether it’s gallons of gasoline or hours of kilowatts, there’s a trade off between efficiency and performance,” said industry analyst John McElroy, host of the “Autoline After Hours” webcast and podcast. “The faster you want to go, the more energy your car will consume. But it’s easy to predict which way hardcore Mach-E buyers will choose. They’ll go with the GT Performance models.”

Mustang Mach-E GT and Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition will be available in Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat exclusively, as well as Grabber Blue Metallic — previously available only on First Edition. Other colors include new Dark Matter Gray Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic and Space White Metallic.

“With Mustang Mach-E GT and Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, we’re pushing the boundaries of what an electric vehicle can offer,” Dave Pericak, vehicle program director, said in a news release on April 26. “These Mustang Mach-E models not only give customers the added capability expected from the GT name, but the responsiveness of their electric powertrains will ensure they have a thrilling experience behind the wheel.”

Pumping horsepower

The GT has electric all-wheel-drive and permanent magnetic dual motors, including an upgraded secondary electric motor that powers the front wheels for a combined power output of 480 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.

The GT Performance Edition pumps out 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque – the same horsepower as the Mustang Mach 1 performance coupe but with 214 pound-feet additional torque, Ford said.

“Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition delivers more torque, grip and better handling by drawing more power from its battery pack,” Ford said in April.

The Mustang Mach-E GT starts at $59,900 and the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition starts at $64,900 in the U.S., not including delivery fees. The company is scheduled to begin deliveries in the fall.

These and other all-electric vehicles qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax incentives.