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

by Steph Willems

Published: May 22nd, 2018

the ford explorer mustang meld ev rides on a focus platform report

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]

#Crossovers #ElectricVehicles #EVs #Ford #Mach1 #Platforms #ProductPlanning

Steph Willems

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"scarey" on May 22, 2018

I remember the Edsel...

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- 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.
  
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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.

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Recent Comments

NJRide Let Cadillac be Cadillac, but in the context of 2024. As a new XT5 owner (the Emerald Green got me to buy an old design) I would have happy preferred a Lyriq hybrid. Some who really like the Lyriq's package but don't want an EV will buy another model. Most will go elsewhere. I love the V6 and good but easy to use infotainment. But I know my next car will probably be more electrified w more tech.I don't think anyone is confusing my car for a Blazer but i agree the XT6 is too derivative. Frankly the Enclave looks more prestigious. The Escalade still has got it, though I would love to see the ESV make a comeback. I still think GM missed the boat by not making a Colorado based mini-Blazer and Escalade. I don't get the 2 sedans. I feel a slightly larger and more distinctly Cadillac sedan would sell better. They also need to advertise beyond the Lyriq. I don't feel other luxury players are exactly hitting it out of the park right now so a strengthened Cadillac could regain share.
CM Korecko Cadillacs traditionally have been opulent, brash and leaders in the field; the "Standard of the World".That said, here's how to fix the brand:[list=1][*]Forget German luxury cars ever existed.[/*][*]Get rid of the astromech droid names and bring back Seville, Deville, Eldorado, Fleetwood and Brougham.[/*][*]End the electric crap altogether and make huge, gas guzzling land yachts for the significant portion of the population that would fight for a chance to buy one.[/*][*]Stop making sports cars and make true luxury cars for those of us who don't give a damn about the environment and are willing to swim upstream to get what we really want.[/*][*]Stop messing around with technology and make well-made and luxurious interiors.[/*][*]Watch sales skyrocket as a truly different product distinguishes itself to the delight of the target market and the damnation of the Sierra Club. Hell, there is no such thing as bad publicity and the "bad guy" image would actually have a lot of appeal.[/*][/list=1]
FreedMike Not surprisingly, I have some ideas. What Cadillac needs, I think, is a statement. They don’t really have an identity. They’re trying a statement car with the Celestiq, and while that’s the right idea, it has the wrong styling and a really wrong price tag. So, here’s a first step: instead of a sedan, do a huge, fast, capable and ridiculously smooth and quiet electric touring coupe. If you want an example of what I’m thinking of, check out the magnificent Rolls-Royce Spectre. But this Cadillac coupe would be uniquely American, it’d be named “Eldorado,” and it’d be a lot cheaper than the $450,000 Spectre – call it a buck twenty-five, with a range of bespoke options for prospective buyers that would make each one somewhat unique. Make it 220 inches long, on the same platform as the Celestiq, give it retro ‘60s styling (or you could do a ‘50s or ‘70s throwback, I suppose), and at least 700 horsepower, standard. Why electric? It’s the ultimate throwback to ‘60s powertrains: effortlessly fast, smooth, and quiet, but with a ton more horsepower. It’s the perfect drivetrain for a dignified touring coupe. In fact, I’d skip any mention of environmental responsibility in this car’s marketing – sell it on how it drives, period.  How many would they sell? Not many. But the point of the exercise is to do something that will turn heads and show people what this brand can do.  Second step: give the lineup a mix of electric and gas models, and make Cadillac gas engines bespoke to the brand. If they need to use generic GM engine designs, fine – take those engines and massage them thoroughly into something special to Cadillac, with specific tuning and output. No Cadillac should leave the factory with an engine straight out of a Malibu or a four-banger Silverado. Third step: a complete line-wide interior redo. Stop the cheapness that’s all over the current sedans and crossovers. Just stop it. Use the Lyriq as a blueprint – it’s a big improvement over the current crop and a good first step. I’d also say Cadillac has a good blend of screen-controlled and switch-controlled user interfaces; don’t give into the haptic-touch and wall-to-wall screen thing. (On the subject of Caddy interiors – as much as I bag on the Celestiq, check out the interior on that thing. Wow.)Fourth step: Blackwing All The Things – some gas, others electric. And keep the electric/gas mix so buyers have a choice.Fifth step: be patient. That’s not easy, but if they’re doing a brand reset, it’ll take time. 
NJRide So if GM was serious about selling this why no updates for so long? Or make something truly unique instead of something that looked like a downmarket Altima?
Kmars2009 I rented one last fall while visiting Ohio. Not a bad car...but not a great car either. I think it needs a new version. But CUVs are King... unfortunately!