mspford

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Someone Seems To Be Testing Some Kind Of Mystery Racing Ford Mach-E And It Looks Like A Lot Of Fun

https://jalopnik.com/someone-seems-to-be-testing-some-kind-of-mystery-racing-1844323988

A secret operative near the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research test track took a little hike through the woods and discovered something pretty exciting: a very stripped-down Ford Mach-e doing donuts, drifting, tearing ass and generally hooning like a delighted loon. What’s going on here? Is this an official Ford project? Let’s do some speculating!

First, everyone should watch the video. I suggest watching to the end, where you get to see our intrepid videographer realize he may have been spotted and then tearing some ass of his own, on foot, through the woods:



Damn, they’re really wringing the electrons out of that thing, aren’t they?

The Mach-e is very stripped down, and, looking at the front end, I think I significantly uprated cooling system has been installed, with a large radiator with dual fans (presumably for battery cooling?) that wouldn’t appear to fit under the stock bodywork:

dygihhz54nzqmxx6jowx.png



The rear also seems to have additional cooling, with some sort of asymmetrical triple-fan setup.

It’s also got wide, meaty tires that extend significantly beyond the bodywork as well, and I think some suspension upgrades, too.

There may be motor enhancements as well, but I can’t really tell.

It’s also interesting to see the stripped-down bodywork, as it reveals just how thicc modern car pillars are, something that the glass normally hides. Look how beefy that B-pillar is, and look how hilariously tiny that rear quarter window is:

vr98pubj6quzouon4zh5.png



It looks like they cut that window out using a Dorito as a template.

More importantly, though, what’s going on here? There have yet to be any customer Mach-e deliveries, so this must be some sort of official or at least Ford-sanctioned project.

It could be a racing variant of the Mach-e being developed by Ford, or maybe a Ken Block project (we know there’s been some interest there), or even an RTR-tuned version?

I know RTR has used the NCCAR track before for testing, as that’s where I got to drive one of their tuned Mustangs back in 2017. While I was there, I saw Ford testing some GTs as well, so I believe Ford has been known to use that track, too.

Something fun is up, we know that. I reached out to Ford to see if they’ll talk, but I’m not holding my breath. Who knows, though. If we find out anything definitive, I’ll be sure to update.

UPDATE: Ford responded, with, um, nothing:

“Ford continues to develop and test at many facilities. We don’t comment on speculation about future vehicles.”

I’m not really surprised by this answer, but it never hurts to ask.
 
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Mach Daddy

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+1 for the shaky sasquatch cam

This and the Cobra Jet 1400 all-electric Mustang get me excited about the packages that will be available for the MME GT. Hopefully the wait is worth it...I'd be willing to give up the frunk for this, but then I would need a hood scoop ?

Ford Mustang Mach-E Spied: Ford Tuning a Racing or Performance Mach-E? cobrajet.JPG


 
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SnBGC

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Love the Dorito comment. :)
 

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That thing MOVES! Wow!! :eek:????
 


silverelan

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Author says the double fans in front of a big radiator and triple fans in back are upgraded from a regular Mach-E.

Anybody know if that's true?
 

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Author says the double fans in front of a big radiator and triple fans in back are upgraded from a regular Mach-E.

Anybody know if that's true?
How would they know?
 

Plutoman15

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I have already thought that the added delay with the GT's is Ford juicing it more than originally planned. If they can get the performance 0-60 under 3 seconds it really helps to maintain and build the Mustang brand. It puts it into the top end Porsche range but for a fraction of the cost which is what the Mustang brand has always been about. This in turn really makes this a fun car, not just a zero emissions car which is a big reason Tesla has had success.

This video just reinforces my thinking.
 

Mach Daddy

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I have already thought that the added delay with the GT's is Ford juicing it more than originally planned. If they can get the performance 0-60 under 3 seconds it really helps to maintain and build the Mustang brand. It puts it into the top end Porsche range but for a fraction of the cost which is what the Mustang brand has always been about. This in turn really makes this a fun car, not just a zero emissions car which is a big reason Tesla has had success.

This video just reinforces my thinking.
Maybe the GT Performance version will have full use of the 99kwh battery instead of limited like the rest of the MMEs? With similar weight and battery to the Tesla S, it might get into the 2s?
 

SnBGC

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I have already thought that the added delay with the GT's is Ford juicing it more than originally planned. If they can get the performance 0-60 under 3 seconds it really helps to maintain and build the Mustang brand. It puts it into the top end Porsche range but for a fraction of the cost which is what the Mustang brand has always been about. This in turn really makes this a fun car, not just a zero emissions car which is a big reason Tesla has had success.

This video just reinforces my thinking.
I think the delay with the GT is due to extra research needed when you stuff such a large motor up front. Torque steer is a real issue up front so trying to balance the EV drive between the front and back will take some clever software. The major issue with the same size motor at both axles is range. I think Ford is working that problem as best as they can before they release that model to the masses.

Jag has done a great job with managing the power delivery. Audi is struggling. If the Mach E GT can launch like the I Pace or better then it will be well worth the wait.....just need to address the range penalty issue and they will be golden.
:)
 

silverelan

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I have already thought that the added delay with the GT's is Ford juicing it more than originally planned. If they can get the performance 0-60 under 3 seconds it really helps to maintain and build the Mustang brand. It puts it into the top end Porsche range but for a fraction of the cost which is what the Mustang brand has always been about. This in turn really makes this a fun car, not just a zero emissions car which is a big reason Tesla has had success.

This video just reinforces my thinking.
I've been speculating that myself. That the delay for the GT is not explained by coronavirus alone. I think something more is going on.

The Tesla Performance Model Y coming out in March 2020 gives Ford extra time to adjust to the Tesla's specs.
 

silverelan

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I think the delay with the GT is due to extra research needed when you stuff such a large motor up front. Torque steer is a real issue up front so trying to balance the EV drive between the front and back will take some clever software. The major issue with the same size motor at both axles is range. I think Ford is working that problem as best as they can before they release that model to the masses.

Jag has done a great job with managing the power delivery. Audi is struggling. If the Mach E GT can launch like the I Pace or better then it will be well worth the wait.....just need to address the range penalty issue and they will be golden.
:)
A second 216kW motor upfront has to be a power consumption problem. They need to either detune it or come up with another solution.

I doubt they can unlock the full 99kWh because that would kill the battery before the warranty expired.

@Nak made a point about brakes so maybe they already had identified that too as a pain point.

Basically, Ford is taking an extra year and a half from Tesla's release date to make adjustments. Something is afoot.
 

Billyk24

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I've been speculating that myself. That the delay for the GT is not explained by coronavirus alone. I think something more is going on.

The Tesla Performance Model Y coming out in March 2020 gives Ford extra time to adjust to the Tesla's specs.
March 2021 I believe is the correct time frame.
 

RunningHorse

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The GT variant has was always planned as a staggered launch post the non GT variants. As for performance, prepare to be surprised. The GT performance is going to be a real performance vehicle , not just a 0-60 drag car but a track beast as well. Think GT350R and Gt500. There also going to be a special "thing" that's unannounced and will def cause jaws to drop. That's all I can share.
Sponsored

 
 




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