Base and flagship remain, dual motor mid-spec withdrawn. Specs, ranges, performances improve; RRPs back to pre-discount settings.

COMMITMENT to Mustang Mach-E remains firm, but arrival of updates has triggered Ford NZ into reducing the range and keeping stock on a tight rein.

While it has stopped short of putting its sole electric car choice into full ‘indent order’ status - meaning customers would have to assure acceptance, possibly with payment up front, for a car before it even lands or is possibly even built - a spokesman says national inventory will be kept on a tighter rein.

It believes it is better serving the buyer base by from now on selling the car in its base, single motor and top-end, performance-tuned dual motor GT formats and dropping a more family-focused dual motor mid-spec edition that separated them in the pre-facelift lineup.

Mach-E pricing has been subject to downward adjustments over the past 18 months - at extremis the respective continuing derivatives dropped $45000 and $65k below their RRPs.

That’s now a moment in history. Arrival of the revised product predictably sees them return to stickers they each for the first part of 2024, before a big period of significant discount to shift excess stock.

The entry car, now labeled Select, is $74,990 and the GT stands at $116,990, both sticker exclusive of on-road costs.

Ford was first last year to enact discounting when EV ales hit a wall. A result of Government pulling a rebate for sub-$80,000 types, tougher economic conditions and EVs being hit by Road User Charges.

The sector still remains massively depressed and Ford seems to be among many sellers that are clearly more cautious.

The updated Mach-E’s arrival was certainly not rushed; the freshen-up hit North America more than a year ago. We first reported on it on April 11, 2024. Regional implementation began in Australia earlier this year.

NZ is taking the new car product as our neighbour has it.

No changes have been made to the chemistry or energy densities of the cars’ batteries - a 75kW usable type in entry choice and a 91kWh long range in the GT - but motor outputs are up and the dual motor layout includes a new rear unit.

Also, the larger battery achieves faster charging, Ford citing 36 minutes (a nine minute improvement) to fast charge from 10-80 percent under ideal conditions, which means with a charger capable of delivering 150kW.

Ford regionally hasn’t confirmed any acceleration gains but in North America the most potent type was cited as being good for 0-100kmh in 3.3 seconds.

The flagship now outputs 434kW/955Nm. So, up 76kW and 95Nm. It is capable of covering up to 515km on a single charge, a 25km increase. Ford estimates to the NZ-recognised WLTP scale.

The Select gains a power increase to 212kW and 525Nm of torque; up 14kW and 95Nm. It is paired with a 73kWh usable battery to deliver an estimated 470km range.

The Select also scores new springs, dampers and sway bars. Ford says this is to elevate its real-world performance and ride comfort.

Both have been treated to a new heat pump and there are refreshed wheel designs.

There is a column-mounted monostable shifter which yields a redesigned centre console, which delivers subtle improvements to the menu structure and ergonomics of the large 15.5-inch centre touchscreen. The GT has 10-way power-adjustable front seats (up from eight-way).

More specifically, the Select has scored the same LED headlights as the GT, which nabs a refreshed grille design. There are several new colours.