Ford’s MEB-based EV may use Mustang name – report

While controversial, the Mustang Mach-E’s alignment with Ford’s iconic Mustang has helped generate a lot of buzz.

Should that translate to sales, Auto Express reports a smaller electric crossover may also adopt the Mustang name.

In a further affront to Mustang purists, that crossover will be the previously reported Ford adaptation of Volkswagen’s MEB platform, which underpins a burgeoning range of ID-branded Volkswagens.

Ford executives have already said they’ve discussed building a “Mustang family” – or should that be a Mustang herd?

Ford Europe’s design chief, Murat Gueler, said he doesn’t want any Mustang family to resemble Russian nesting dolls. Therefore, the smaller crossover would feature a different profile from the Mach-E.

Ford has gone so far as to have its executives and engineers meet with their Volkswagen counterparts to discuss structural changes to the MEB platform.

Above: The upcoming Volkswagen ID.4

In particular, Ford wants to change the position of the front bulkhead and cowl. This is to afford the upcoming crossover a longer bonnet in the traditional “long hood, short deck” Mustang style.

Volkswagen’s MEB platform already has one element essential to anything with a Mustang name: rear-wheel drive.

Though Ford briefly considered using the Mustang name on the first-generation Probe, every production Mustang has used rear-wheel drive.

Like the Mach-E, however, the smaller crossover will also feature the option of all-wheel drive.

There’ll also be different battery sizes available. If the baby Mach-E takes after its previously debuted Volkswagen ID crossover siblings, that should mean the flagship model will feature dual electric motors and a 83kWh battery, with a total system output of 225kW.

Volkswagen advises those dual-motor crossover concepts have an estimated range of 500km.

In comparison, the most range-efficient Mustang Mach-Es – those with the extended-range 98.8kWh battery and RWD – produce 248kW and are capable of an electric range of 600km under WLTP measurements.

Above: Ford Versailles, a restyled Volkswagen Santana

Unlike Ford and Volkswagen’s last partnership – AutoLatina in Brazil – the Blue Oval brand is aiming to do more than mildly restyle the front and rear ends of an existing Volkswagen product.

Ted Cannis, global director of electrification at Ford, told Auto Express, “It’s key that we have enough flexibility, and it’s important to have enough differentiation and the kind of performance you expect from a Ford. A lot of that was done in the early part of the negotiations with VW.”

“The parameters that we’ve seen, we can make a great Ford.”