The Ford Explorer-Mustang Meld EV Rides on a Focus Platform: Report

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Ford’s upcoming “ Mustang inspired” electric crossover, which appeared (or didn’t, really) in a video shown the Detroit auto show, stands to ride on a new architecture that doesn’t bring to mind either the Mustang or the Explorer.

While a new report doesn’t provide us with an OEM-sourced image of the 2020 crossover, which may carry the Mach 1 name, it gives as sense of what to expect in terms of size.

According to Autocar, Ford’s performance EV utility vehicle will adopt the C2 platform that underpins the next-generation Focus. With Ford largely leaving the passenger car segment, U.S. buyers will see that model in the form of the Focus Active — a slightly lifted, crossover-ized version of the five-door hatch.

The C2 platform, lighter and stiffer than its predecessor, will also appear under the next-generation Escape and Lincoln MKC.

Ford’s unnamed EV carried the codename CX430, and will appear in 2019 before deliveries begin (in the UK, anyway) the following year. Driving range is 300 miles, Ford claims. As the C2 platform is front-drive architecture, it’s assumed the EV will have an electric motor powering the front wheels only, though “performance” implies four-wheel/dual motor motivation.

Autocar provided a rendering of what it thinks the vehicle might look like, complete with exaggerated wheels, a lowered roofline, and steeply slanted front and rear glass. While it seems there’ll be an attempt to make the vehicle appealing to driving enthusiasts, Ford’s head of global markets, Jim Farley, recently described it as “a vehicle with the profile of a Porsche Cayenne and the swagger of a four door Mustang.”

See Cayenne below for reference:

Basically, we can expect a vehicle with an Escape-sized footprint, though styling could go any number of directions. Ford needs the vehicle to retain its utility factor, so cargo space and passenger room volume can’t be too compromised by exciting sheetmetal. Instant electric torque and a low center of gravity should aid the vehicle’s performance and handling.

[Images: Ford, Porsche]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • "scarey" "scarey" on May 22, 2018

    I remember the Edsel...

    • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on May 22, 2018

      Edsel was known initially as a mysterious E-car. This one is E-CUV. That is how Edsel CUV would look like (see Cayenne above). Why not call electric brand e-Dsel? Musk named his brand Tesla and everybody is happy. At least Edsel starts with e. Electrified DieSEL.

  • RocketScience RocketScience on May 22, 2018

    Actually, I'm sort of okay with this concept. Part of my consternation was Ford would have nothing fun to drive--sans Mustang. I really can't believe we've seen the last of Focus ST Just don't call this new thing Mach anything.

  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.
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