Car and Driver: Lightning Platinum 12.7@107mph 1/4mile and 4.0 0-60mph

[Jimrpa]

This is absolutely ridiculous.

@Ford Motor Company change the software limitation on the GTs

Why even make the "Mustang" Mach-E GT if you're going to let it get gapped on the interstate by an F-150 hauling a family on their way to Animal Kingdom?

Come on, let’s not drag Disney into this ?

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[Jimrpa]

@Ford Motor Company this is BS!
Since when did your F150 compete with your flagship fast performing cars?

More importantly, why does the F150 have a remote open for the frunk, while the Mustang Mach E is stuck with a quaint “pull twice to open” hood release?
Priorities here!

 

[buzznwood]

It wasn't being designed as a Mustang SUV until pretty far along with the development process. Not so far along that they couldn't restyle it (which they obviously did), but perhaps far enough along that they were working with a battery cooling system initially designed for what was going to be something as sporty as a Ford Escape EV.

At least that would be my guess, that if they weren't going to start back at step one with the Mach-E once authorization was given to make it a Mustang EV SUV, they probably were a bit constrained by the already-designed basic design of the vehicle.

Still, I think it could just be that Ford is perhaps waiting on a bit more data before relaxing the five second rule. Of all the various grab bag of issues we have seen on this forum, knock on lots of wood, at least so far no one seems to be reporting any type of overheating issue on any Mach-E variant.

This is perfectly valid, however at the launch we already had initial specs and targets which would have been set long before launch you don't go to the trouble of using two large motors if performance was not an objective. Any potential issues of limitations should have been know long before, if it they where then it just looks even worse on Ford parts and falls into dishonest, incompetent or both.

It is not the first time Ford has diluted sporting brand names with limp wristed efforts not worthy of the name (looking at you Edge ST) but it is also not like Ford was entering a market that didn't already have performance EV for people to benchmark against.

Worse case if the performance targets here never going to be meet then the GT could have simply been marketed as a GT-Line more about the cosmetic upgrades the same as ST-Line, M-Sport, S-Line etc.

 

[RMoore]

I’ve never owned one so this is a naive question, but why does a pick-up truck need to accelerate like a supercar? I think of these as utility vehicles for hauling stuff. There are times when I’m doing carpentry projects where I wish I had one but I don’t think I’d need for one to go 0-60 in 3.5 s. Then again I’m getting the premium MME and not a GT or GT/PE…

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

I’ve never owned one so this is a naive question, but why does a pick-up truck need to accelerate like a supercar? I think of these as utility vehicles for hauling stuff. There are times when I’m doing carpentry projects where I wish I had one but I don’t think I’d need for one to go 0-60 in 3.5 s. Then again I’m getting the premium MME and not a GT or GT/PE…

You’re right, a pickup doesn’t need to accelerate that fast. But, with electric motors it is now easily possible, especially in awd EVs with powerful motors and big hv battery packs. The byproduct of the monstrous torque outputs needed to haul heavy loads is high hp and instant electric response. Hence, the accidental drag racers that awd EVs have now morphed into.

 

[River Rat]

The F150 is as fast as my old HotRod. Now that would be fun.

 

[RMoore]

You’re right, a pickup doesn’t need to accelerate that fast. But, with electric motors it is now easily possible, especially in awd EVs with powerful motors and big hv battery packs. The byproduct of the monstrous torque outputs needed to haul heavy loads is high hp and instant electric response. Hence, the accidental drag racers that awd EVs have now morphed into.

That makes sense, thanks. I suppose that also explains why so many of the EVs out now or soon to be out can accelerate to an extent that used to only be possible if spending $150K on an ICE sports car (with some exceptions like the C8 Corvette and maybe a few select others that can be had for much less). I do worry that this will lead to more accidents but that’s a topic for another discussion.

 

[ARK]

I’ve never owned one so this is a naive question, but why does a pick-up truck need to accelerate like a supercar? I think of these as utility vehicles for hauling stuff. There are times when I’m doing carpentry projects where I wish I had one but I don’t think I’d need for one to go 0-60 in 3.5 s. Then again I’m getting the premium MME and not a GT or GT/PE…

A big part of it is bragging rights, but this is true for a lot of vehicles, and a lot of consumer products in general.

Even acceleration aside, you could sort of say the same for any Platinum trim F150 (EV or ICE) - is it a showboat or is it a work truck.

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

That makes sense, thanks. I suppose that also explains why so many of the EVs out now or soon to be out can accelerate to an extent that used to only be possible if spending $150K on an ICE sports car (with some exceptions like the C8 Corvette and maybe a few select others that can be had for much less). I do worry that this will lead to more accidents but that’s a topic for another discussion.

Agreed 100%. Even our lowly 4Xs can hit 60 in 4.8 and run 13.4 1/4 miles. Mustang GTs struggled to hit those metrics until the Coyote 5.0 debuted in 2011. Even tuner faces like the Civic Type R, WRX/STi, Elantra N etc. struggle to get near 13.4.

 

[Regularmache]

I’ve never owned one so this is a naive question, but why does a pick-up truck need to accelerate like a supercar? I think of these as utility vehicles for hauling stuff. There are times when I’m doing carpentry projects where I wish I had one but I don’t think I’d need for one to go 0-60 in 3.5 s. Then again I’m getting the premium MME and not a GT or GT/PE…

My guess is the motors needed to be a certain size for hauling anyway and batteries sized for the same so it's there why not use it! It is definitely something I am going to do with my Lightning Lariat ER a couple times for sure. I gave a WWII veteran a ride in our First Edition Mach E and his face lit up with a huge smile and he was absolutely thrilled. I will always remember that and it was an honor. If he's still alive when my lightning gets delivered I plan on showing him his second electric Ford ever.

 

[Tngo23]

The honest response is the honest response.

But we DO NOT know if the car can handle more than 5 seconds, and Ford hasnt said squat.

We also know they raised the usable capacity from 88 to 91 and increased the charging curve above 80%. No hardware changes necessary.

But at this point I would be happy with either of the following:

1. we will not change the limit
Or
2. We are working on it

Instead the silence is deafening.

I think Ford is being silent for their own reasonings to keep things under wrap until the Engineers find a patch or fix....
If they come out and said, NO we can't deliver past the 5 seconds on the GT/PE, would you be more pissed or be OK because they gave you an answer.
Their logic is to keep it quiet until there is something solid/concrete to mention....

Have faith, it will be address soon enough.....I don't see any one of the owners here saying they are selling their GT/PE because of the 5 sec limitation? Did I miss something?

 

[Tngo23]

I bought the GTPE purely for the magneride so am going to be in a small camp compared to those getting one for the promise of performance. If nothing can be done then so be it, it is what it is.

My major problem with that is that engineering limitations, the issue is that the GT/GTPE has been in customers hands for nearly a year so we all know by performance metrics it is a turd but Ford are still marketing it on the performance with any mention of the serious limitations buried away in the finest of print that are hard to find which is quite frankly dishonesty of the highest order.

I have certainly enjoyed my GTPE for the reasons I purchased it to the point that I will certainly be getting another EV as my next vehicle purchase with an eye for performance and yet despite owning numerous performance Fords over the years the chances of that next EV purchase being a Ford are currently at 0%

Doesn't matter how good they make the next one sound on paper the GTPE has shown me whatever Ford marketing promise on performance even when taking into account the typical exaggeration you expect from marketing, what engineering actual deliver falls flat on its face.

I will keep an keen eye on how Ford address this GT/GTPE elephant in the room but on current form I suspect the chances of me getting another Ford EV in my future are going to remain at 0% for a very long time.

Good points my friend. I second the sentiments on why I bought the GTPE.....As mentioned in my other post regarding this same issue, I thought the limitation would be a deal killer but I have found driving in Whisper is totally ok knowing I have the passing power any time I need it....

This MME was not built for drag racing and if it was, most would not buy the GT/PE knowing the power cuts off after 5 seconds....

 

[newmme]

at least so far no one seems to be reporting any type of overheating issue on any Mach-E variant.

I remember a bunch of overheating. It's the battery design. Here are more details.

MME Battery Design

 

[mkhuffman]

Personally I think Ford is playing the numbers game and they know a very small percentage of GT buyers will care that acceleration drops off after 80 mph. I am one of those who loves my car and I will never need better acceleration over 80. Emotionally it bothers me a little, but rationally it doesn't bother me at all. My car is extremely fast in the speed range I will ever drive.

There are things that bother me more, like HVBJB failures, but even that is an emotional response and not rational. And I would have no idea about either issue if I didn't participate in this forum. Which most people don't do.

Ford has little motivation to fix the 5 second limitation IMO. They may fix it, but I don't think it is a high priority.

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