10 Reasons Why The Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 Is Pure Awesomeness

2022-09-16 18:59:24 By : Ms. HERE MAKERS

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The Mach-E 1400 is Ford's second performance EV prototype after the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, and it's a drift monster on steroids.

If you are of the opinion that electric cars were slow, Ford's latest electric Mustang is out to make you think otherwise. Not long ago, manufacturers struggled to squeeze more than 400 horsepower from big displacement V8 engines. But, the dawn of the electric vehicle has proven that there is a replacement for displacement. Pushing four-figure ponies is as easy as adding a few electric motors to your powertrain. In an attempt to get Mustang diehards on board with electrification, Ford conjured a 1400-hp silent weapon in the form of the Mustang Mach-E 1400.

Ford's Motorsports division began working on the ludicrous Mach-E 1400 project before the production Mach-E electric crossover broke covers. It was a one-off tech demonstrator to convince the V8 rear-driver worshipers that the future won't be as dull as they might imagine. Ford has committed to hybrid and electric vehicle development, and the Mach-E 1400 is their second performance EV prototype after the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400. It is a drift monster on steroids, and here's why the Mach-E is pure awesomeness.

Most new electric vehicles come with one or two motors, with four being an overkill. Even the 1,914 horsepower Rimac Nevera comes with synchronous electric motors at each wheel. But the Ford squandered seven motors for the Mustang Mach-E 1400, five more than the road-going Mach-E. They draw juice from a 57.8kWh nickel-magnesium battery pack and send 1,400 ponies and 1,834lb-ft of torque to all four wheels.

It uses the Yasa P400 R series pancake-style motors, the same used on the Koenigsegg Regera and peaking at 214hp and 273lb-ft of torque at 700 volts.

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The Mach-E 1400 has three motors at the front and four at the rear axle. They are arranged down the centerline on both axles, stacked in front of and behind each other to form some sort of electric rotary engine. On both axles, they drive an identical Winters Quickchange Differential.

The advanced differentials are massive 10-inch units fitted with Torsen limited-slip differentials inside and are built to handle big horsepower abuse of modern drift and racing cars.

Ford Performance built the Mach-E 1400 in partnership with RTR Vehicles. It is a tuning company run by a professional drifter, Vaughn Gittin Jr. they have a rich resume, notably including Gymkhana hero builds for fellow Monster Energy driver Ken Block, including the Hoonicorn RTR and the 1400+ hp Hoonicorn V2.

RTR also works on other Ford Mustang, Ranger, Bronco, and Bronco Sport models and has a wide range of RTR packages and parts to customize performance and looks. The Mach-E 1400 is arguably their most daunting project yet.

The Mustang Mach-E 1400 receives aggressive exterior upgrades. The front bumper gets a splitter and dive planes, and massive fenders dominate the sides while increasing the car's width by 11.4-inches. Also, the car receives a giant carbon fiber spoiler and diffuser on the rear.

This aero kit results in 2300 pounds of downforce at 160mph, which is almost 1000pounds more than the Koenigsegg One. With that huge wing and aggressive front, the car looks set to have a go at the Pike Peak or a similar Time Attack event.

RELATED: Jay Leno's Garage Features The 1400-HP Mustang Mach-E

Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook claims that their aim for this one-off prototype was to bridge the gap between what an EV can do and what customers believe it can do. While it is a demonstrator specimen, it can do anything you can dream up.

It is an absolute EV track shredder you can optimize for circuit racing, drag racing, drifting, Gymkhana, or simple tire torturing burnouts.

The powertrain setup allows engineers to investigate the AWD, rear, and front-wheel drive layouts, enabling it to adapt to different racing types. It can also venture beyond the racetrack and into road course racing, all thanks to its two suspension configurations.

The two setups come with different control arms, which you choose depending on the required application. It has sufficient length to accommodate the increased steering angle for drifting purposes.

Ford built the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 to conquer the quarter mile. It did well and even set the record for a full-bodied electric car over the quarter mile, smashing the distance in 8.128 seconds at 171.97 mph. That was very fast, and Ford won many hearts with the car. While their second performance EV prototype hasn't received similar reception, it has proven more capable.

The Cobra Jet Is an incredible electric dragster, but that's all it can do. On the other hand, the Mach-E 1400 can handle drag, drift, circuit, or road racing. With the two quick-change differentials available, it only takes a few spur gears and a little time to optimize it for different Racing conditions.

RELATED: Ford Performance Takes The Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 To Holley Ford Festival

The Mach-E 1400's interior is unmistakably motorsport-ready thanks to the full roll cage, Recaro racing seats, and an abundance of custom carbon fiber panels. But unlike most race cars, it retains the production car's standard instrument panel and infotainment display. It is integrated with the electronics and will be used for some controls as they develop the car.

Also, it doesn't eliminate the rear seats, so the kids don't have to miss out on the action.

Vaughn Gittin compares the Mach-E 1400 to a magnet roller coaster you can control. Even with its five thousand pounds of dry weight, it handles like an open-wheel IndyCar thanks to its low center of gravity. And, it can do massive smoky burnouts effortlessly.

The car can drive each axle at counter speeds for instant next-level burnouts. And it also has a hydraulic handbrake for added fun.

RELATED: Watch This Vaughn Gittin Jr-Driven Mustang Mach-E 1400 Slide Spectacularly At Goodwood

The car's two drive sets can run in tandem or independently. This freedom allows the Mach-E 1400 to run in front, rear, or AWD setups. Ford plans to use this capability to investigate these layouts and their effects on performance and energy consumption.

In front-wheel drive, the Mach-E 1400 utilizes three motors pushing 600 ponies. In RWD, it utilizes the four motors for 800 ponies and uses all motors with the AWD setup. These help the car to adapt to various applications.

Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.