Ford boosts Mustang Mach-E towing capacity and charge curve
Ford has made some updates to its Mustang Mach-E and has increased the electric SUV’s towing capacity. The carmaker also improved the charging curve above 80 per cent significantly and fine-tuned the suspension and ESC.
For one thing, the maximum permissible towing capacity of the Mustang Mach-E on the ‘Extended Range’ model battery will be 1,000 kilograms instead of the previous 750. Ford states that was enough to allow customers to tow a typical small or average-sized fibreglass fishing boat. As a spokesperson for Ford Germany confirmed to electrive, this also applies to delivered vehicles. “The improved towing capacity requires no new hardware components,” the spokesperson said.
Another part of the software update has led to an improved charging curve but only in a very high charge level range. Previously, at around 82 per cent SoC at the fast charger, software limited the charging power to 14 kW. The charging power drops at high charge levels are pretty standard, but the extreme reduction in the Mustang Mach-E from around 75 to the 14 kW above ensured that almost 18 per cent of the 98.7 kWh battery could hardly be used.
Ford does not communicate the new charging curve directly either, but the result: the charging time from 80 to 90 per cent will be 15 minutes in the future; previously, it was 52 minutes, which is 37 minutes longer. However, there is no change to the maximum DC charging power of 150 kW.
In any case, the innovations that Ford mentions as the first points in the announcement are certainly not highly relevant for all customers: Not everyone has ordered the trailer hitch or relies on the 250 kilos of additional towing capacity. And at DC chargers, it is rare to reach a charge level of over 80 per cent anyway – nothing changes when charging at 11 kW at the wall box at home. Only customers who do not have their wall box and are dependent on public DC chargers can now charge 90 per cent in noticeably less time.
However, the other updates will benefit all customers: Ford introduces a new ESC tuning via OTA update. In all three driving modes, the ESC should intervene better during cornering and especially evasive manoeuvres. In addition, springs and dampers have been adjusted to significantly improve the balance and comfort of the vehicle. The last change Ford cites is the “a recalibration of the one-pedal driving feature for even smoother performance at lower speeds and enhancements to driver comfort.”
“The towing upgrade for Mustang Mach-E is one of several free updates we’re continuing to make in hardware and software or through homologation to give owners the best experience possible,” said This Woelpern, general manager, Imports, Ford of Europe. “With towing in particular, it was a great example of us responding to customer queries, where we checked the feasibility of an increase and were able to deliver what they wanted.”
The Mustang Mach-E is now on sale in Europe for over one year.
With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.
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