ADAS and UX Test
The Unbridled Horse
From the front, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT looks sporty and aggressive.
Gilgen/Canva/Montage
Although Ford offering the Mustang as an electric car causes pain for petrolheads, the powerful electric horse delivers technically. Especially hands-free driving at Level 2+ convinces in practical tests.
Ford is one of the few manufacturers in the German market to offer a semi-autonomous driver assistance system with true hands-free elements. The technology is called Blue Cruise, which excels on motorways in the Mustang Mach-E GT with Level 2+ functionality. The test shows: The US brand has done a lot right in terms of user experience and ADAS topics - but there is still room for improvement in charging performance.
In the Mustang, it is allowed to take your hands off the steering wheel on certain motorway sections - the so-called Blue Zones. However, attention must still be guaranteed at all times. In practice, the system reliably recognises traffic signs, lane markings, and other vehicles, maintains distance, and takes over steering up to 130 km/h. The visual display behind the steering wheel is clear and well-executed, even if the layout cannot be customised.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
300 euros per year, worth it
And not only on motorways, but the system also intervenes supportively on country roads - for example, when keeping in lane. The detection of whether the driver is actively steering works reliably and very sensitively. A loosely placed, relaxed finger on the steering wheel is not enough - those who become too passive are prompted to intervene. Overall, the system conveys a high level of safety - even during overtaking manoeuvres or in heavier traffic.
Since October 2023, Blue Cruise technology has been standard on all new orders of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The system monitors lane markings, speed signs, and surrounding traffic, and independently controls steering, distance, and speed. Activation is done via software. Ford customers initially receive a 90-day free trial period. After that, Blue Cruise is offered as part of the Ford Connected Service for 24.99 euros per month.
ADAS Platforms and Architecture
The technical foundation of the Mach-E GT is an operating system based on QNX. Ford relies on a mix of self-developed applications and user interfaces. NXP is used as the semiconductor partner. The OEM did not want to provide information on specific SoCs or the distribution of computing power across the control units. There is also no information on the control unit setup. There are no indications of zonal architectures or centralised high-performance computers, as found in premium manufacturers, so far. However, over-the-air updates (OTA) are already possible for almost all vehicle modules. The updates are prepared in such a way that the current version remains functional until the new version is activated - a clever solution to avoid impairing the user experience.
Sensor and Perception System
The equipment includes high-resolution front and rear cameras as well as a 360-degree camera. The sensors include classic radar systems, ultrasonic sensors, and presumably a combination of IMU and GNSS modules for positioning. Ford does not provide details on suppliers or other sensor types, but in practice, the systems deliver very reliable results - especially in lane guidance and object recognition.
Our Test Vehicle
The tested Ford Mustang Mach-E GT comes as a fastback with dual electric motors and an extended range battery. With a system output of 358 kW (487 PS) and all-wheel drive, the vehicle accelerates powerfully, while the combined WLTP consumption is 21.0 kWh per 100 kilometres. The colour Vapor Blue Metallic complements the sporty design of the electric vehicle.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R20 tyres, heated and electrically folding exterior mirrors with Mustang projection, LED taillights in the brand's typical design, and sports seats in leather/suede look. A 360-degree camera system, a reversing camera with parking assistance, and red-painted brake callipers are also part of the equipment.
Key equipment details at a glance:
- All-wheel drive with 487 PS and extended range battery
- Sports seats with leather/suede look
- 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers
- 360-degree camera and reversing assistant
- Mustang projection in the exterior mirrors
The total price of the vehicle in this configuration was 78,300 Euros.
UX: Portrait instead of Widescreen
The central 15.5-inch portrait display is the visual focal point of the cockpit. A clever feature: The physical rotary knob embedded in the display. It allows quick adjustment of volume, temperature, or the display itself - intuitive and pleasant to the touch. The menu navigation is generally well-structured but suffers from occasionally sluggish response times and minor stutters during operation.
A major drawback remains the voice control. The native assistant understands many commands or does not respond at all - a problem shared by many manufacturers, but particularly noticeable in a vehicle of this price range. At least Alexa can be integrated, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - these work seamlessly.
Sound, Comfort and Interior Design
Good sound is becoming increasingly important at Ford. The acoustic experience in the Mustang is very good. The Bang & Olufsen sound system impresses with clear highs, rich bass, and a high level of detail - a real highlight. Even during sporty driving, the audio quality remains stable. Speaking of sport: The Mach-E GT accelerates to 100 km/h in a few seconds - optionally with artificially generated engine sound that adds emotion to the experience without being intrusive. 487 and a maximum torque of 860 Newton meters ensure that when you step on the accelerator, the blood rushes straight to your head - it's nothing compared to an airplane takeoff.
As for the interior: It also impresses, appearing high-quality, tidy, and consistently kept in black. The controls on the steering wheel are tactile, which benefits ergonomics. The vehicle also offers enough space in the back for tall passengers.
App Integration and Remote Functions
The associated Ford app offers standard functions such as charging planning, door locking, and location display. However, the app revealed major weaknesses in route planning - a feature that would be essential, especially for electric vehicles. There is room for improvement here. On the positive side: The consumption display in the vehicle is very precise and dynamically adapts to temperature and driving behaviour.
Range and Charging Performance - the Weak Point
At moderate temperatures (5 to 10 °C), the realistic range was about 390 to 410 kilometres - a solid value. However, the charging performance at the fast charger disappoints. Ford does not communicate specific maximum values, but it quickly became clear in the test: The Mach-E GT clearly lags behind competitors here. Even after 30 minutes of charging time, the battery was often not yet at 80 percent. A real annoyance for frequent drivers.
Slow Fast Charging
The charging performance of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT shows mixed results in the ADAC test. The maximum charging power briefly reaches 150.8 kW but drops relatively quickly. On average, the charging power between 10 and 80 percent is 93.4 kW. The entire charging process in this range takes 42 minutes. During this time, 63 kWh of energy was recharged, which according to EcoTest corresponds to an additional range of around 336 kilometres.
After ten minutes of charging, 17.4 kWh could already be absorbed, corresponding to a range of 93 kilometres and a state of charge of 30 percent. After 20 minutes, it was 34.2 kWh, 183 kilometres range, and a state of charge (SOC) of 49 percent. After 30 minutes, 47.8 kWh was recharged, which corresponds to 256 kilometres range and a SOC of 64 percent.
The charging curve shows typical behaviour: after a brief peak in power, the charging power quickly drops and then stabilises between 80 and 100 kW before decreasing further towards the end of the charge. In practice, this means: In 30 minutes, a realistic range of 256 kilometres can be recharged - not an outstanding value compared to competitors.
Conclusion: Driving Fun and Good Assistance, with Room for Improvement
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT impresses with its sporty character, successful Blue-Cruise technology, and a strong sound system. The central infotainment display offers a modern user experience with charming design ideas - but falters in performance and voice control. The low charging performance hampers the long-distance experience. Nevertheless, those looking for a sporty-electric driving experience and mostly charging at home will find the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT a very attractive car.
This article was first published at automotiveit.eu
