The automotive world is going electric crazy at the moment and for good reason. Car manufacturers are now needing to be seen doing something about the ever-present threat of climate change, with action very much needed sooner rather than later. This has seen some models in a company’s range either be dropped completely, or being prepared to morph into an EV of some description. Ford is an example of this, having created two new electric vehicles recently. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Ford F-150 Lightning.
The F-150 Lightning is the first electric truck in the F-150 range and revives the name last seen on the hugely popular Ford SVT truck of the 1990s and early 2000s. The Mustang Mach-E on the other hand is the first electric Mustang, although that term must be used loosely. The Mach-E is in reality an SUV, whilst Mach-E is a play on the Mach 1 name given to the very sporty version of the original Mustang. Whilst the Mach-E has proved somewhat popular, we believe that the F-150 Lightning may well prove to be the bigger success of the two in the long run.
The Mach-E Isn’t Really A Mustang
First of all, let's take a look at the Mach-E. Whilst this car has been clearly labeled as a Mustang, the reality couldn’t be any further from that. The Mach-E is simply not a Mustang in any way, shape, or form. The Mustang as we know has been a popular muscle car in the United States ever since the 1960s and is perhaps the greatest muscle car to ever be created. So to describe something that is little more than an electric SUV as a Mustang is perhaps not the best thing for such a sporty name.
There are some aspects of the styling of the Mach-E that very much resemble the Mustang. There is the front fascia and then the rear end as well, with the taillights being the same style seen on modern Mustangs. But in reality, that is where the similarities end with the Mustang muscle car. With the Ford F-150 Lightning, you are getting a Ford F-150 pickup truck. This time it is electric. It isn’t pretending to be something it isn’t, which is the issue that the Mustang Mach-E has. Ford would perhaps have been better off giving the Mach-E an entirely different name, and not labeling it as a Mustang.
The SUV Market Is Very Crowded
Like them or hate them, SUVS are very much a popular vehicle for many at the moment. Wherever you go, you are probably starting to see more and more examples of these large vehicles out on the road. Whilst they are certainly useful and versatile, the fact that so many are around means that the Mach-E is entering quite a crowded marketplace. Sure, there aren’t so many electric SUVs on the roads right now. But does it really stand a chance against more established models of SUV available from the multitude of other car manufacturers?
You could say the same for F-150 Lightning. It's not like Ford is the only company currently making a pickup truck. However, the F-150 is a much more established name than Mach-E, and those customers know that at its core, they are still going to get a highly dependable pickup truck that has simply replaced internal combustion engine power with battery power. Ford has also stolen a march in the electric pickup stakes over main rival Chevrolet, and the Lightning name itself has taken on a new meaning of electricity. Given the versatility a pickup truck can bring, the F-150 Lightning might prove to be a big hit.
The Sheer Power Of The F-150 Lightning
The F-150 Lightning has already become the most powerful F series truck ever produced, and that’s not great for the Mach-E. The stats for the F-150 Lightning are fantastic. The F-150 Lightning delivers around 563 hp from its electric drivetrain, whilst also producing the most torque of any F-150 ever seen with around 775 lb-ft of torque. Quite embarrassingly for a car with the Mustang name, this blows the Mach-E out of the water. In its more powerful Mach-E GT and GT Performance guise, the Mach-E makes 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque. This is nearly 100 less than the F-150 Lightning, and the base version has a merge 266 hp. Embarrassing for a car bearing such a legendary name.
The Lightning Should Win Out
Combined with perhaps its extra versatility, the Ford F-150 Lightning may well win out in the battle of the electric Ford. The brand has done a great job with both vehicles in fairness, and the Mach-E looks like it is growing in popularity. But when it comes to certain aspects, there just is something that isn’t quite right about the Mach-E. It bears the name of a car that it really isn’t, and isn’t as powerful as Ford’s new all-electric pickup truck. It is going to be an interesting internal battle between these two vehicles to see which one comes out on top.
Sources: Ford, Tech Radar, Auto Data, Autocar