It may have arrived here in the second half of 2023 but Ford’s Mach-E large electric SUV has been on sale in North America since late 2020, so a ‘mid-life’ upgrade for the Blue Oval’s first high-volume pure-electric vehicle is right on schedule.
Ford says it has been monitoring customer feedback, and in response, the updated five-seater now features a standard heat pump to improve energy consumption, more front cabin space courtesy of a gear shifter relocation, auto lane-change functionality as part of the active cruise control system and availability of a new ‘Sport Appearance Package’ incorporating elements of the all-wheel drive Mach-E GT.
Commenting on the update’s development Ford’s Mustang Mach-E chief engineer Donna Dickson said, “We’re dedicated to giving (customers) the best version of Mustang Mach-E possible, and that means giving them features they have been asking for, like the new heat pump and more interior space up front.”
A heat pump system retains heat from the batteries for temperature regulation, increasing the car’s range, while the ‘Automatic Lane Change’ function is designed to “smoothly and seamlessly perform a lane change without driver input”.
The Sport Appearance Package adds the Mustang Mach-E GT’s front fascia and grille as well as red front Brembo-branded brake calipers and 19-inch high-gloss black alloy wheels with the same shade applied to the door cladding and wheel arch mouldings.
Inside there’s red contrast stitching and sport pedals while ventilated front seats are now standard on the Premium grade. A column-mounted shifter replaces the previous central dial shifter on all models to free up console space.
At the same time a new ‘Ford Connectivity Package’ includes a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capable of connecting up to 10 personal devices with coverage extending up to 15 metres from the vehicle.
Apps include YouTube, karaoke (while parked) and audio streaming via Alexa, while ‘Connected Navigation’ includes features like ‘EV Trip Planner’ and ‘Predictive Destinations’.
Three new (optional) colours have also been added to the Mach-E palette — ‘Molten Magenta Metallic’, ‘Velocity Blue Metallic’ and ‘Desert Sand’ as has a trio of new wheel designs.
Australian-delivered Mach-Es use different battery packs to US models, so exact range numbers for our Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y rivals are yet to be confirmed.
When asked if the updated Mach-E is destined for local sale a Ford Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, "The updated MY25 Mustang Mach-E will arrive in Australia in H2, 2025. We look forward to confirming exact specifications closer to launch."
