When skilled rally driver Ken Block got had the chance to drive the mustang Mach-E at the vehicle launch event last year, he was a bit frustrated (to say the least) that he couldn’t provide it a proper thrashing, or “hooning” as he calls it.
That was because there have been solely 3 mustang Mach-Es living at the time, and Ford needed to make sure they weren’t abused too much so that they could be used for planned events. It took Block eight months, however, he got his wish and with a bonus. Not solely would he get some track time with a mustang Mach-E, but he’d get to drive the 1400 HP, RTR one-off version that was just introduced this week.
The badass mustang Mach-E 1400 has seven motors that enable the vehicle to offer slightly over 1,400 HP, comparable to the all-electric mustang cobra Jet. Whereas the vehicle was designed to showcase what Ford and PTR are capable of doing and what they can do with the EV technology, Ford says the Mach-E 1400 will be used for multiple motorsports situations, although the 160 mph top speed would eliminate it from being competitive in NASCAR racing where speeds of 200 mph are achieved.
As one of the members of RTR is explaining the Mach-E 1400 to Ken, he’s asked where the flux capacitor is, and he points to the middle console which has high voltage wiring with a clear plexiglass cover. That was a very cool touch by RTR, as you see the thick orange cables stretch down the middle of the vehicle and connected to an inverter for one of the seven motors.
We’ve said it before but we’re very happy to see Ford doing this. bringing electrification to Ford Motorsports can beyond any doubt bring a lot of racing enthusiasts underneath the EV tent. There was a substantial amount of consternation among the loyal mustang trustworthy when the Mach-E was introduced with the mustang name hooked up to it. It wasn’t just that it didn’t burn dead dinosaurs, however also the fact that it absolutely was a crossover and not a proper sports sedan.
However, if Ford continues to prove the Mach-E has earned the right to wear the proud pony badge with iterations just like the Mach-E 1400, we expect most hardcore mustang fans will get on board eventually.
