Category: Highlight

  • 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and GT Performance priced from $61,000

    Ford on Monday released final specifications and pricing for the Mach-E GT and Mach-E GT Performance Edition, the sportiest versions of its electric SUV. The GT starts at $61,000, while the GT Performance Edition starts at $66,000 (both prices include destination), and both are available to order now.

    Both versions have dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains producing 480 hp. Torque output is pegged at 600 lb-ft for the GT, and 634 lb-ft for the GT Performance Edition. Other all-wheel-drive Mach-E variants make 346 hp and 428 lb-ft, and Ford also offers rear-wheel-drive versions with a single motor.

    Ford quotes 0-60 mph times of 3.8 seconds for the GT and 3.5 seconds for the GT Performance Edition. The latter figure matches the Tesla Model Y Performance, which has a $61,190 base price.

    Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition

    Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition

    EPA range estimates are 250 miles for the GT and 235 miles for the Performance Edition. That’s substantially less than the longest-range Mach-E, the California Route 1, which can go 305 miles on a charge. The Tesla Model Y Performance as an EPA-estimated 303-mile range.

    The Mach-E GT Performance Edition also adds Brembo-branded brake calipers, magnetic dampers, and Pirelli summer tires in place of the Mach-E GT’s Continental all-season rubber. Both models are available with Ford’s BlueCruise driver-assist system, which can control steering, acceleration, and braking on certain stretches of highway. Unlike Tesla, Ford also uses a driver-monitoring system to guard against misuse.

    Ford plans to begin deliveries of the Mach-E GT and GT Performance Edition in early fall. They may not be the only performance versions of the Mach-E. We’ve heard that a Shelby version might be in the works as well.

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  • Edd China starts work on a 1962 Alvis in “Workshop Diaries” episode 4

    “Edd China’s Workshop Diaries” has already seen the former “Wheeler Dealers” host tackle a Volkswagen T5 van and a Land Rover Range Rover, but for the fourth episode he’s starting a new project: a 1962 Alvis TD21.

    With the Range Rover giving him some issues, China decided to put it aside temporarily and shift focus to the Alvis. One of many defunct British automakers, Alvis dates back to 1919 and has since built a cult following with its sports cars and race cars. The company stopped making cars in 1967, but a continuation-car program was announced in 2019.

    This TD21 was originally owned by a Royal Navy rear admiral (typical of the Alvis owner demographic, according to China), but now has a long list of issues. China decided to start with the headlights, which randomly refused to work.

    Edd China works on a 1962 Alvis TD21

    Edd China works on a 1962 Alvis TD21

    Figuring out the problem required removing the headlight switch from the dashboard, and to do that, China first looked at a brand-new replacement switch for clues. There weren’t any useful clues to be found, unfortunately, so China ended up popping off the dashboard’s walnut fascia and digging around in the nest of wires behind it.

    Replacing the headlight switch solved the problem, but China also noted that one of the secondary lights was having some issues. He’s saving that for a future episode.

    China also continued telling the story of setting a Guinness World Record for world’s fastest electric ice cream van, begun in the previous episode. This time, he covers removing the diesel engine from a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in preparation for the electric conversion, as well as sourcing the motor. He wanted to use that motor with the stock Mercedes transmission, so he scanned the two parts in order to design a custom adapter. Watch the full video to see how he did it.

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  • This Week’s Top Photos: 2021 Shanghai auto show edition

    This week’s Auto Shanghai 2021 was the first major auto show to be held since the pandemic hit, and it didn’t disappoint. But it wasn’t the established automakers that stormed the show. Rather, it was China’s domestic brands which put their mark on their home show for the first time.

    Case in point was a new hypercar from luxury brand Hongqi. The hypercar is called the S9, and it features a V-8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain good for 1,400 hp. Just 99 examples are expected to be built.

    Hongqi L-Concept - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Hongqi L-Concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Hongqi also used the Shanghai auto show to present a flagship concept. Called the Hongqi L-Concept, the show car is a striking sedan with a fastback profile, suicide-style doors, and we’re told even hanging mood lighting with crystal elements.

    2021 Zeekr 001 - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    2021 Zeekr 001 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Zeekr (Ji Ke in China), Geely’s new brand designed to target Tesla with sporty cars packed with the latest in vehicle technology, showed its first product. That first product was a handsome hot hatch with over 500 hp on tap.

    2022 Xpeng P5 - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    2022 Xpeng P5 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Xpeng presented the P5 in Shanghai, a small electric sedan with world-first self-driving technology. The P5 is the first production vehicle fitted with lidar, a technology that enables it to sense a much wider environment than if it relied on radar and camera systems alone.

    Hengchi 1 - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Hengchi 1 – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    A cashed-up electric-vehicle startup by the name of Hengchi unveiled a total of nine vehicles, one of which was a Tesla Model S rival. Hengchi, which plans to start production of its first model in 2022, is the parent company of NEVS, the company that tried to save Saab.

    MG Cyberster concept - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    MG Cyberster concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    MG isn’t a Chinese brand, but its parent company, SAIC, is one of the country’s biggest automakers. In Shanghai, MG unveiled a striking concept that teases a rival to electric sports cars like the Tesla Roadster.

    Audi A6 E-Tron concept

    Audi A6 E-Tron concept

    But what about non-Chinese automakers? Audi surprised everyone with its stunning A6 E-Tron Concept. The stunning electric sedan is one of 20 EVs Audi plans to have in its lineup by 2025, and we should see it on sale in 2023.

    Toyota BZ4X concept - 2021 Shanghai auto show

    Toyota BZ4X concept – 2021 Shanghai auto show

    And finally, Toyota used the show to preview its first volume EV, also with a thinly veiled concept. It’s called the BZ4X, and its production counterpart should be at dealerships in 2022.

    There was much more in Shanghai. As always, you’ll find our complete coverage over at our dedicated hub.

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