Quick - how do you make an all-electric FWD SUV interesting? Well, according to Ford, you tack on cues from one of your most-famous pony cars, cross your fingers, and hope for the best.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

Ford first teased its upcoming battery-powered SUV at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, revealing its intentions to reuse the classic pony car moniker of “Mach 1.” Now, we’re getting a few new details on this contentious utility vehicle.

The latest nitty gritty comes from our friends over at Autocar, who report that the fresh SUV carries the internal codename of CX430. Underneath, the SUV will be built on a common platform shared across Ford’s lineup, including models like the Focus and the Escape.

The model will basically be a hatchback with a taller stance. It should also offer as much as 300 miles of range per charge.

Given the name, it’s believed the SUV will also come with a variety of exterior design cues that give a nod to the Mustang. That means a familiar fascia with similarly styled headlights and central intake, plus a taller, rounder body.

Autocar also mentions a release date sometime early in 2020 for the European market. A global release is on the table as well, although it’s uncertain when that will occur.

Of course, it bears mentioning that Autocar declines to mention the source of all this info, so take it with a grain of salt.

Either way, Ford hopes to release as many as 16 all-electrics and 40 electrified vehicles by 2022, and a new all-electric SUV is most definitely part of that plan. The shift in focus comes amid the Blue Oval’s plan to drastically reduce its hatchback and sedan offerings in the U.S. market.

Of course, in the event the new FWD EV SUV is indeed badged with a Mach 1 nameplate, purists and enthusiasts alike will be up in arms.

First offered back in 1969, the original Mustang Mach 1 offered a stiffer suspension, a more aggressive styling package, and a variety of big, thirsty V-8’s under the hood - not exactly the kind of characteristics normally associated with efficient FWD EV SUVs.

What would it take for you to accept a Mach 1 SUV? Blinding speed? Aggressive styling? Maybe a complete brainwash by Ford technicians?

Autocar0}

Autocar

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Mustang.