INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightFordFord has unveiled its all-electric Mustang Mach-E at a glitzy event in Los Angeles that included an appearance by actor
Idris Elba.The top-range version of the car can travel up to 370 miles on a full charge and recharge 57 miles (92km) of range in 10 minutes
on a high-power charge.There are buttons in place of conventional door handles and storage space under the front bonnet.The fastest model
can accelerate from 0-60mph in under five seconds.In comparison, the Tesla Model X 100D can do 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.Like the Tesla, the
Mustang Mach-E has a 15.5in (40cm) touch screen beside the steering wheel.Prices range from £44,000 to £58,000 ($44,000 to $60,000 in the
US).Image copyrightFordImage caption
Storage space under the bonnet
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at
the price comparison website confused.com said "a lot of hopes" were riding on the vehicle
"The interesting thing is that they've decided to use the Mustang name with this car, because of course it's the name synonymous with
American muscle cars, with big V8s and yet they are taking the performance aspect of that name and putting it into this electric car," she
told TheIndianSubcontinent News."I really hope this is a game-changer."Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to close six manufacturing
plants in Europe by the end of 2020.Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe, said at the time the company's future was "rooted in
electrification".Analyst Natalie Sauber, from Arcadis, said infrastructure was still a deterrent for consumers considering buying an
electric vehicle.Image copyrightFordImage caption
Ford says owners will be able to recharge the car for a 57 mile (92km)
journey in 10 minutes
"Norway is the country with the highest uptake of electric vehicles, followed by other Scandinavian
countries," she told the TheIndianSubcontinent's WorkLife programme."The UK is coming in at the lower end, similar to Germany and the US."
According to analyst Jato, 91% of global car sales in 2019 have been vehicles with an internal combustion engine.Would Mustang Sally have
driven an electric vehicle? If there's one brand which symbolises the American "pony car", it's the Mustang
The term was invented for it
The original was affordable, sporty and - with a hefty engine under the bonnet - decidedly rorty.The electric Mustang Mach-E certainly won't
be loud, but maybe it can make a pretty vocal statement nonetheless.Image copyrightReutersImage caption
The Mustang
Mach-E has a large touchscreen display to adjust its various settings
Ford is far from being a leader in the race to produce
electric cars, but it's putting its foot down in an effort to catch up.It has even done a deal with Volkswagen to use some of the German
giant's heavily funded know-how on future models.The new Mach-E will be leading Ford's electric charge
With a range of at least 260 miles, and plenty of power, the new car will be going up against models from Tesla, Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes
Image copyrightReutersImage caption
The car can be plugged into a normal domestic socket or connected to a special
Wallbox for faster charging
Sally may have driven a full-fat petrol V8, but Ford is hoping her eco-conscious granddaughter
can be won over by silent elegance - coupled with a decent turn of speed
