Latest news with #MustangMach-ERally
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WATCH: Defender Octa v Ariel Nomad v Mustang Mach-E Rally - what's fastest off-road?
We wanted to do a simple test – of all the most extreme off-roading vehicles you can buy, the new Land Rover Defender Octa, the Ariel Nomad and Mustang Mach-E Rally really are the cars to beat. But of these, which is the fastest of them all? All are very different vehicles. The Defender Octa is the top-of-the-range off-road biased version of a traditional luxury SUV. The Nomad is a totally different kettle of fish – it's a totally uncompromising off-road dragster. And the Mustang Rally? Well, it's electric for one thing… In our video (above), we gathered all three at some of Autocar's favourite off-road locations to find out which is the King of the Hill – enjoy. ]]>
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I drove Ford's Mustang Mach-E Rally. It looks like a life-sized Hot Wheels toy but is actually a fantastically fast electric SUV.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally is a high-performance, off-road version of Ford's flagship electric SUV. I was impressed by the Mach-E Rally's spirited performance, bold looks, and comfortable cabin. I didn't have many gripes, but I would have liked more than 265 miles of range for long road trips. Ford, Mustang, EV, SUV, and rally car are a collection of words no one ever expected to exist in the same sentence just a few years ago. But that's exactly what Ford has given us with the Mustang Mach-E Rally. I recently had the chance to drive the special edition racing variant, complete with eye-catching Grabber Yellow paint job and white off-road racing-inspired wheels. It's meant to compete with other hot hatchbacks like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 5 XRT. I was impressed with its driving dynamics, rallycar styling, and comfortable interior. And even with the impressive performance and showy exterior, the Mach-E Rally proved to be a comfortable, easy-to-live-with electric SUV that worked great on daily commutes. The Mexico-made Mustang Mach-E starts at just under $38,000. My range-topping Mach-E Rally starts at $58,490, but fees and optional extras like BlueCruise driving push the as-tested price to around $64,000. Ford used the high-performance Mach-E GT as the starting point for the Rally. The Rally trim gains black racing lines down the middle of the hood and a pair of fog lamps integrated into the front grille. The black racing stripes continue to the small rear decklid. The most prominent feature exclusive to the Rally is the large spoiler mounted to the top of the liftgate was inspired by the Focus RS, Ford's previous road-going rally car that went out of production in 2018. In addition to the spoiler, the Mach-E Rally gets special decals on the front doors and white 19-inch alloy wheels that resemble those found on rally racers. Despite its off-road pretensions, the Mach-E Rally boasts a somewhat limited 5.8 inches of ground clearance, about an inch more than the Mach-E GT but short of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT's 7 inches. My test car came with the a keyless entry system. The SecuriCode keypad, located on the front door pillars, allows keyless entry via a programmable five-digit code. The Rally is equipped with a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the largest available on the Mach-E. The big battery helps the Rally achieve an EPA-rated 265 miles of range, which far outpaces the 221 miles of Hyundai's retro-rallycar styled Ioniq 5 N. As with other Ford EVs, it has access to the Tesla Supercharger network. The Mach-E Rally is powered by a pair of electric motors mounted to each of the vehicle's axles, creating what Ford calls an eAWD system. The two motors combine to produce 480 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, identical to the Mach-E GT. Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system worked great on straight stretches of highway, Ford built an EV that drives like a legit rally car. In regular operation, the Rally drives like a docile EV crossover, with its traction management systems stepping in to keep the experience on the straight and narrow. With the RallySport drive mode turned on, the Mustang EV comes alive. The mode, designed to maximize performance on high-speed, multi-terrain race courses, quickens throttle response, dials back the traction control as much as possible, and turns up the intensity of the faux engine noise piped through its speakers. Although I didn't get the chance to take the Mach-E Rally off-road, it really dazzled on the winding roads in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Handling was quick and precise, and the specially tuned adjustable magnetorheological damper helped optimize traction while keeping the EV under control even as road conditions changed. According to Ford, the 5,000-lb Mustang Mach-E Rally can do 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, which is not far off the 3.25-second time of the 641 horsepower Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The Mach-E's cabin feels smart and modern. Buttons and switches are generally well placed, and there are plenty of storage and charging options. My only complaint is with the large volume dial at the bottom of the infotainment screen, which doubles as the fan speed control for the AC system. This makes it impossible to use the dial without taking your eyes off the road. The Mach-E's cabin centers on its massive 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen. I found the Mustang Mach-E's infotainment system to be very responsive and easy to navigate. I especially like the shortcuts that allow you to quickly revisit the screen you most recently used. The Mach-E Rally features special Ford Performance front seats trimmed in faux leather with imitated suede inserts. Ford is usually pretty good at making comfortable seats, but these were exceptional even by my lofty expectations. They were soft and supportive with good adjustability and side bolstering. Sitting in them just felt like a warm, reassuring hug. The rear cabin proved to be remarkably comfortable as well. The comfy three-passenger faux leather and suede bench seat offers a competitive 38 inches of legroom, which is an inch or two short of the Ioniq 5 and Model Y. Behind the rear seat is a solid 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space. When the rear seats are folded down, the capacity increases to about 60 cubic feet. Under the rear cargo floor, there's also additional storage for charging cables and other items. The rear cargo compartment is supplemented by a 4.7 cubic foot frunk under the hood. The frunk, which has a drainage hole at the bottom of its plastic liner, can be filled with ice and used as a cooler when tailgating, Ford says. My verdict: The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally drives like a racer, but is comfortable and practical like a family SUV. Ford has a long and esteemed history of building legendary road-going rally cars, from the mid-engined RS200 to the highly sought-after Escort RS Cosworth. To me, the Mustang Mach-E Rally is the latest in that lineage of greatness, but with a twist. Unlike those that have come before it, the Mach-E Rally isn't a specialist vehicle limited to weekend drives. It's got all the tech, niceties, and utility to handle everyday life outside the rally course. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I drove Ford's Mustang Mach-E Rally. It looks like a life-sized Hot Wheels toy but is actually a fantastically fast electric SUV.
The Mustang Mach-E Rally is a high-performance, off-road version of Ford's flagship electric SUV. I was impressed by the Mach-E Rally's spirited performance, bold looks, and comfortable cabin. I didn't have many gripes, but I would have liked more than 265 miles of range for long road trips. Ford, Mustang, EV, SUV, and rally car are a collection of words no one ever expected to exist in the same sentence just a few years ago. But that's exactly what Ford has given us with the Mustang Mach-E Rally. I recently had the chance to drive the special edition racing variant, complete with eye-catching Grabber Yellow paint job and white off-road racing-inspired wheels. It's meant to compete with other hot hatchbacks like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 5 XRT. I was impressed with its driving dynamics, rallycar styling, and comfortable interior. And even with the impressive performance and showy exterior, the Mach-E Rally proved to be a comfortable, easy-to-live-with electric SUV that worked great on daily commutes. The Mexico-made Mustang Mach-E starts at just under $38,000. My range-topping Mach-E Rally starts at $58,490, but fees and optional extras like BlueCruise driving push the as-tested price to around $64,000. Ford used the high-performance Mach-E GT as the starting point for the Rally. The Rally trim gains black racing lines down the middle of the hood and a pair of fog lamps integrated into the front grille. The black racing stripes continue to the small rear decklid. The most prominent feature exclusive to the Rally is the large spoiler mounted to the top of the liftgate was inspired by the Focus RS, Ford's previous road-going rally car that went out of production in 2018. In addition to the spoiler, the Mach-E Rally gets special decals on the front doors and white 19-inch alloy wheels that resemble those found on rally racers. Despite its off-road pretensions, the Mach-E Rally boasts a somewhat limited 5.8 inches of ground clearance, about an inch more than the Mach-E GT but short of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT's 7 inches. My test car came with the a keyless entry system. The SecuriCode keypad, located on the front door pillars, allows keyless entry via a programmable five-digit code. The Rally is equipped with a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the largest available on the Mach-E. The big battery helps the Rally achieve an EPA-rated 265 miles of range, which far outpaces the 221 miles of Hyundai's retro-rallycar styled Ioniq 5 N. As with other Ford EVs, it has access to the Tesla Supercharger network. The Mach-E Rally is powered by a pair of electric motors mounted to each of the vehicle's axles, creating what Ford calls an eAWD system. The two motors combine to produce 480 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, identical to the Mach-E GT. Ford built an EV that drives like a legit rally car. In regular operation, the Rally drives like a docile EV crossover, with its traction management systems stepping in to keep the experience on the straight and narrow. With the RallySport drive mode turned on, the Mustang EV comes alive. The mode, designed to maximize performance on high-speed, multi-terrain race courses, quickens throttle response, dials back the traction control as much as possible, and turns up the intensity of the faux engine noise piped through its speakers. Although I didn't get the chance to take the Mach-E Rally off-road, it really dazzled on the winding roads in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Handling was quick and precise, and the specially tuned adjustable magnetorheological damper helped optimize traction while keeping the EV under control even as road conditions changed. According to Ford, the 5,000-lb Mustang Mach-E Rally can do 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, which is not far off the 3.25-second time of the 641 horsepower Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The Mach-E's cabin feels smart and modern. Buttons and switches are generally well placed, and there are plenty of storage and charging options. My only complaint is with the large volume dial at the bottom of the infotainment screen, which doubles as the fan speed control for the AC system. This makes it impossible to use the dial without taking your eyes off the road. The Mach-E's cabin centers on its massive 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen. I found the Mustang Mach-E's infotainment system to be very responsive and easy to navigate. I especially like the shortcuts that allow you to quickly revisit the screen you most recently used. The Mach-E Rally features special Ford Performance front seats trimmed in faux leather with imitated suede inserts. Ford is usually pretty good at making comfortable seats, but these were exceptional even by my lofty expectations. They were soft and supportive with good adjustability and side bolstering. Sitting in them just felt like a warm, reassuring hug. The rear cabin proved to be remarkably comfortable as well. The comfy three-passenger faux leather and suede bench seat offers a competitive 38 inches of legroom, which is an inch or two short of the Ioniq 5 and Model Y. Behind the rear seat is a solid 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space. When the rear seats are folded down, the capacity increases to about 60 cubic feet. Under the rear cargo floor, there's also additional storage for charging cables and other items. The rear cargo compartment is supplemented by a 4.7 cubic foot frunk under the hood. The frunk, which has a drainage hole at the bottom of its plastic liner, can be filled with ice and used as a cooler when tailgating, Ford says. My verdict: The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally drives like a racer, but is comfortable and practical like a family SUV. Ford has a long and esteemed history of building legendary road-going rally cars, from the mid-engined RS200 to the highly sought-after Escort RS Cosworth. To me, the Mustang Mach-E Rally is the latest in that lineage of greatness, but with a twist. Unlike those that have come before it, the Mach-E Rally isn't a specialist vehicle limited to weekend drives. It's got all the tech, niceties, and utility to handle everyday life outside the rally course.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: This EV Accommodates Nicely, But Is It Comfortable Off-Road?
Take everything that you know and love about the all electric Ioniq 5, add a sprinkle of dirt, a dash of aesthetic armor, and a smattering of super functional changes, and you have an aggressive SUV that's ready for an adventure: The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT. When parked next to a standard IONIQ 5, the exterior differences start to make themselves obvious. The XRT is lifted, comes standard with knobby and aggressive tires, more rugged body trimming, and has almost almost a full inch additional ground clearance. It's also different on the inside. The driver's seat comes with more bolstering to keep you in place when the going gets tough, three distinct (and responsive) terrain modes, and dirt or dust-friendly upholstery. The XRT is also a little more expensive than the standard IONIQ 5 with a starting price of $55,400, but for an off-road-ready EV SUV that can go over 250 miles on a full charge, it's etching out space in the new category of off-road EVs such as the Mustang Mach-E Rally and the Rivian R1S. This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was a guest of Hyundai for this test drive, though all opinions and impressions are my own. For a while, the N trim was the most expensive trim level of the IONIQ 5 with a price tag of $66,100. However, it was a more performance-oriented EV that was meant to serve as a seamless transition between gas-powered sports cars and all-electric ones. Now the XRT stands between the N and the standard IONIQ 5, with a starting price of $55,400. But, what do you get for the extra coin? Well, quite a bit. The exterior design doesn't change much, thankfully—but the changes do help spell out the fact that it's meant to handle rougher terrain, while the N was made for a track, and the standard IONIQ 5 is made for daily driving. It's not so much that the XRT is built for heavy-duty off-roading – it's not – but it IS built for a little bit more of a beating than its regular counterpart. I was able to test it out on some rocky, dirt roads on a ranch outside of Palm Springs and it was an exhilarating blast. But I was also able to image how great it would handle in my former hometown of Denver, Colorado, on a snow day. That's one of the great things about the XRT – it comes with terrain mode that has 3 settings: Snow, Mud, and Sand. At the press of a button at the base of the steering wheel, the XRT adjusts vehicle parameters like throttle calibration, wheel slip, AWD, and regenerative braking to improve handling on each terrain. Kicking it into sand mode as I dipped and bounced on the dirt was super fun, and I could totally see how helpful snow mode would be when you're trying to safely navigate your daily commute. That inconvenient white stuff can make things a little extra challenging. And when that white stuff starts to melt? Mud mode adds even better Ioniq 5 XRT is loaded with a bunch of features that make it extra capable on rougher terrain. Most visibly, the lower front, rear, and sides are encased in a protective black digital camo cladding uniquely incorporating the trademark Ioniq parametric pixel aesthetic. A bold, pixelated front grill greets you with 2 bright red recovery hooks in case you or someone else needs a rescue. Black exterior details like the rear spoiler and mirrors add to the toughened look. And 18' glossy black XRT-exclusive wheels cap off the exterior with all-terrain tires ready for action. The interior echoes the dark trim with plush black textiles, subtle XRT embellishments, and extra bolstering to hold you in place. These aesthetic features look really cool but some of the most impactful changes aren't visible at all. The XRT has almost a full-inch suspension lift and an improved approach and departure angle. All of which goes to say that you just kind of don't have to baby the XRT on rougher roads. It's ready for the challenge. The IONIQ 5 is one of the FIRST non-Tesla vehicles to have a built-in NACS port, giving you default access to the Tesla charging network without an adapter. You'll still have to use an adapter to access CCS chargers but Hyundai is providing them for free, though. When charging at a Tesla charger, you can look forward to going from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes; on a CCS charger with an adapter it's even faster: from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. Hyundai is also providing a free ChargePoint Charger or $400 charging credit to help you take care of your daily charging needs. And then, Hyundai is part of the Ionna Rechargery network; the company partnered with GM, Stellantis, BMW, Honda, Kia and Toyota to build a charging network promising 30,000 fast chargers by 2030. The network just opened its first location in North Carolina and there are more are on the finally delivered a change that many fans have been asking for—a rear windshield wiper. This is such an important addition, especially for those of in snowy climates. They've also made some big changes to the interior. The dual 12.3-inch driver's display and multimedia display are now trimmed by black, creating a seamless blend that looks much more modern than previous model years. The middle screen is lined by an updated row of tangible buttons for ease of use. The center console has been given an update. Side-by-side cup holders have been exchanged with front and back ones to make room for a wireless phone charger that's much more accessible to the driver. There's also a new row of buttons loaded with all the most common things that you might be reaching for, like heated and ventilated seats and the parking camera. The wireless phone charger is extra handy since the IONIQ 5 now comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple has prioritized usability and functionality without compromising on aesthetics or any of the standout IONIQ 5 features. But I have something to admit. I love the IONIQ 5. A small part of that is because I'm a right-leg amputee. I drive with my left leg crossed over and that can be a hard thing to do in some cars. Some vehicles don't have that much legroom, but that's not the case with the IONIQ 5. Hyundai has taken full advantage of the flexible EV platform and the IONIQ 5 XRT has a beautifully open cabin with a ton of legroom. The level of seat adjustability also makes it easy for me to find the perfect position for my extra accommodation needs. On top of that, the IONIQ 5 has lots of interior room but it's only 183 inches long, so it's still nimble and easy to park in a tight spot. For me, the XRT trim of the IONIQ 5 is the ultimate. All its great features wrapped up into a rugged bundle resulted in a grin plastered on my face non-stop as I barreled and bounced through the dirt on the off-road track. I wasn't sure I'd love driving off pavement. It took a few minutes for me to get comfortable and find my zone. But I did. And then, back on the street, I was able to settle in even more for a comfortable drive back to my hotel. I credit the Ioniq 5 XRT with that: great interior features and comforts no matter the trim, which isn't always the case for SUVs designed for bouncing around in the dirt. Which is the magic of the XRT: everything we love about the Ioniq 5 paired with a hearty sense of adventure. More must-reads: The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Gives Us Spacious Spa Vibes The Chevrolet Silverado EV May Be the Most Incredible Pickup Truck Ever
