Ford’s Volkswagen-based electric SUV to debut on 21 March

The Ford electric family is finally expanding: an only child for over two years, the Mustang Mach-E will welcome a little brother in less than a week. The compact electric SUV, whose name is still a secret, will be unveiled on 21 March. For this final stretch, the Dearborn-based manufacturer is shifting into high gear with a video teaser published on Twitter.

The short clip shows the vehicle kicking up clouds of dust in a wild environment. Don’t expect to appreciate the vehicle’s design in detail, general shots are the rule and the interest of the show lies elsewhere: Ford is clearly trying to demonstrate the vehicle’s off-road capabilities to distinguish it from the Volkswagen ID.4. Yes, the American model will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and will therefore share many parts with the ID.4, as is the case with the Amarok/Ranger and Caddy/Tourneo Connect duos.

It will have a more personal design

However, unlike the aforementioned models which are aesthetically very similar, the Ford SUV will benefit from an original style. The typical curves of the ID. range will be replaced by more angular lines, resulting in a more massive silhouette. On board, however, Ford should take its inspiration from the ID.4 by proposing a very refined atmosphere. It remains to be seen whether the brand will implement the SYNC 4 infotainment system from the Mustang Mach-E or use the Discover Pro from the ID.4.

On the technical front, Ford has confirmed that its electric SUV will be able to travel up to 500 km on a single charge, without communicating on the batteries. This figure is very close to that of the ID.4 GTX (499 km), which suggests the 77 kWh accumulator. On the top versions, one could also suggest the presence of two electric motors like on the Volkswagen with 299 PS. The charging power should therefore be more or less the same (between 135 and 150 kW), as should the price (around €45,000 to €60,000).

This is much less than the €61,650 minimum price of the Mustang Mach-E, which is aimed at a more elitist clientele. After the compact SUV, Ford does not intend to stop there: an electric Puma is already in the pipeline and will have the difficult task of replacing the defunct Fiesta.

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