Looks Like Ford's EV Crossover Will Offer a RWD Variant

You read yesterday that the so-called “Mustang-inspired” electric utility vehicle Ford has planned for the coming year will be able to juice up all over the nation. What you didn’t read was that the model, presumably named the Mach E, might be capable of doing a nice brakestand.

That’s because you weren’t supposed to read a detail Ford’s charging partner, Electrify America, placed in its press release, then quickly erased.

Thanks to a screenshot saved by The Drive, we can see that Electrify America initially stated that the Mach E will boast an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range when combined with an extended battery and rear-wheel drive.

Ford hasn’t talked much about the model except to tout its long range and alleged sportiness, both key things to get the American consumer interested in switching to electric motivation (styling that harkens to the original pony car helps Ford in this mission). It was assumed that the model would be offered as a dual-motor all-wheel drive vehicle. While that’s surely still the case for some Mach Es, the wording of the redacted release makes it clear that owners will be able to leave the front end inert — either permanently (by design), or by taking the front motor offline.

Assuming Ford’s serious about this vehicle’s performance, there should be the option of turning off all traction nannies, allowing owners to melt some rear rubber. Given that the max range is apparently only achievable in single-motor, RWD guise, the Blue Oval probably felt it best to offer such a layout in order to capture the 300-mile marketing coup. Pricing comes into the equation, as well.

It’s believed that this vehicle will fall into the $40k-$60k bracket. While it’s clear there’ll be battery options on the table for those looking to maximize range or minimize payments, it isn’t known whether the smaller battery pack will be available in RWD. Regardless, most EV crossover shoppers will probably prefer the AWD version, if gas-powered SUV sales tell us anything.

The electric Ford rolls out to awaiting buyers in late 2020.

[Image: Ford]