This Electric Ford SUV Is a Rallycross Rock Star

When Ford developed the Mustang Mach-E Rally SUV, it was intended to be more than just a simple “sticker and tire package” – enthusiast slang for a cosmetic alteration of an existing product without the mechanical backbone befitting the new name. A trio of employees are already showing the all-electric rally-inspired model more than lives up to its label.

Peter Schultz was a program manager who saw the vehicle from concept all the way through prototype and development stages before production was begun in just 18 months. The SUV’s most impactful vehicle attributes, he said, start with a ride height that is nearly an inch taller than the standard Mustang Mach-E GT it is based on, and it also has increased underbody protection from rocks and debris. The vehicle also includes specially tuned springs, MagneRide shocks, Michelin CrossClimate 2 all-weather tires, and a unique RallySport drive mode that offers drivers the control needed to tackle dirt, gravel, and any other surfaces they will encounter along rallycross courses. The SUV features a specially tuned version of the two-motor Mustang Mach-E GT powertrain, producing 700 lb.-ft. of torque and 480 horsepower.  

The Mustang Mach-E Rally program team also set out to prove the vehicle’s design and mechanics with the help of actual rallycross drivers and off-road attributes engineers. The result was a 500-mile durability torture test along a purpose-built rallycross course created at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds (MPG) to simulate the equivalent of about 10 years of SCCA rallycross competition.

From concept to class win

Off-road development engineers and Mustang Mach-E Rally development driver Anthony Magagnoli recently drove a Mustang Mach-E Rally to an SCCA class win at a sanctioned rallycross event in the Detroit area. At least two other Ford employees have recently entered the vehicle in sanctioned events in their regions.

“It’s really exciting to see people using this vehicle the way it was designed and intended,” Schultz said. “It shows that people recognize when something is cool and fun.” 

Not only did Magagnoli take a class win in his first competitive rallycross, he also had the day’s fastest individual lap time for all classes with some impressive vehicles. 

Magagnoli noted the team calibrated the vehicle to tap into the on-demand power that an electric vehicle offers. Mustang Mach-E Rally is also designed to soak up ruts in the driving surface. 

“There were other cars literally bouncing off the ground and the Mustang Mach-E Rally doesn’t have any of that because it has MagneRide dampers specifically calibrated for a rallycross environment,” he said, adding that the vehicle’s traction tuning in RallySport mode gives the driver the freedom to drive naturally through corners.  

Winning over skeptics

For Alex Kwan, who works in advanced electric vehicle development, the Mustang Mach-E Rally is his first car optimized for rallycross. He enjoyed the added benefits driving an electric vehicle in such a race – there are no gears to shift, meaning the driver only has to focus on acceleration and braking. He also raved about the SUV’s tires and traction. 

Kwan said those in the crowd at the Southern California-area event in which he recently participated were seeing the Mustang Mach-E Rally for the first time – and it did not disappoint.  

“There was certainly some skepticism from the crowd,” he said. “But the first time I put my foot down and launched off the line spraying four big rooster tails of dirt up, everyone said, ‘That was cool.’ There was a really strong, positive reaction, and that was great to see.”

The battery life of the Mustang Mach-E was more than up to the challenge of the day, too. Kwan reported using about 1% of battery life during each of the day’s six runs, and was able to drive to the competition, race all day, and drive home without needing a charge.

Real-world cheat code

Ford’s Ryan McManus, manager of Competitive Intelligence, saw a similar reaction to his Mustang Mach-E at an SCCA event in the New England area, his first. 

“It took the course like a champ, no issues whatsoever,” he said. “Everybody was pretty impressed with how it held up. It was a golden opportunity to represent Ford and show off for electric vehicles.”

McManus credited RallySport mode, which was developed by Ford engineers to allow for bigger slides, better control, and better handling in loose corners, and the MagneRide suspension for allowing him to “plug and play” as a first-time rallycross driver by letting him get in and go. 

Beyond the hype

The Mustang Mach-E Rally was designed to tap into a passionate white space in the market when it launched for the 2024 model year. From Michigan Proving Grounds to rallycross courses around the country, the SUV has proven itself a true contender. The early reviews are in, and they’re saying Ford’s first-ever rally-inspired electric vehicle delivers on the hype.