When professional rally driver Ken Block had a chance to drive the Mustang Mach-E at the vehicle launch event last year, he was a little disappointed (to say the least) that he couldn’t properly beat him up or ” boo “” as he calls it.
That was because only three Mustang Mach-Es existed at the time, and Ford needed to make sure they weren’t abused too much so they could be used for planned events. Block took eight months, but he got his wish and with a bonus. Not only would he get some time on the track with a Mustang Mach-E, but he would also drive the unique 1400 horsepower RTR version just released this week.
The tough Mustang Mach-E 144 has seven engines that allow the vehicle to offer just over 1,400 horsepower, similar to the all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet. While the vehicle was made to show the possibilities of what Ford and RTR can do with electrification, Ford says the Mach-E 1400 can be used for multiple motorsport situations, though the top speed of 160 mph would eliminate it from being Competitive in NASCAR races where speeds of 200 mph are reached.
“Where’s the flux capacitor?”
As RTR’s Vaughn Gittin explains the Mach-E 1400 to Block, he is asked where the flux capacitor is and points to the center console that has high-voltage wiring with a clear plexiglass cover. That was a really cool touch on RTR’s part as you see the thick orange wires run through the center of the vehicle and connect to an inverter for one of the seven motors.
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We have said this before but we are very happy to see Ford doing this. Bringing electrification to Ford Motorsports will undoubtedly draw more racing enthusiasts under the EV tent. There was considerable dismay among the faithful Mustang faithful when the Mach-E was introduced with the Mustang name attached. It wasn’t just that it didn’t burn dead dinosaurs, but also the fact that it was a crossover and not a proper sports sedan.
However, if Ford continues to demonstrate that the Mach-E has earned the right to wear the proud pony badge with iterations like the Mach-E 1400, we believe that most Mustang fans will eventually join.
