Is there a more quintessentially American vehicle than the Ford Mustang? There may be others that evoke America, but none conjure up images of Americana as strongly as a classic Ford Mustang on a deserted highway hurtling towards the horizon.
So it may come as a bit of a surprise that a group of British engineers from Charge have created the ultimate electric Ford Mustang. Here’s everything you need to know about Charge’s electric Mustang.
It may look like a resto-mod, but this Mustang is brand new
▶” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfPAexfUNqk?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; automatic reading; clipboard-write; encrypted media; gyroscope; picture in picture” allow full screen>
Load cars is based in London, England. The company is full of engineers and designers who have experience in everything from F1 to supercars. The company also collaborates with RoboraceMichelin tires and manufacturer of electric vehicles Arrival.
Charge’s first production car is the Classic 1967 Mustang fastback. While it’s easy to mistake this car for a resto-mod, it’s actually completely new. Each of the 499 Mustangs the company will build starts with an all-new, officially licensed shell.
Here’s what makes the Mustang Charge so special
The Charge Mustang isn’t an old car stuffed full of ready-made EV components. This is a completely new, custom-built car. The interior can be designed according to the buyer’s personal preferences and features digital interfaces and luxury features without losing the classic style of a 1960s Mustang.
The tech comes from the collaboration with Arrival, and the car has a solid set of specs. The 64 kWh battery allows for 50 kW DC charging. This will ensure fast charging times and a range of around 200 miles. Electric motors power all four wheels, making e-Stang all-wheel drive. The maximum power is 400 kW, which roughly corresponds to 536 horsepower. Torque is even more impressive at 1500 Nm or 1106 lb-ft. It’s serious, and the performance too. Charge claims a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds.
The Charge Mustang made its first public appearance in 2019 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Now, after further development, the car is ready for customers. Prices start at $450,000 and go up depending on how customized they are. That’s a lot of money for a classic AWD electric Mustang, but there’s a market for cars like this and custom builds. Singer proved it with his custom Porsche 911s.
What will the Mustang Charge look like?
The finished production version of the car has just debuted, and so far no one has driven and reviewed it. Top of the line drove the very first prototype in 2019 and noted that it retains the spirit of the original Mustang very well without drowning it in current technology.
That seems to be Charge’s goal, to retain everything that makes a classic Mustang great while infusing it with the latest technology to improve comfort and performance. As Quoted by Top of the line, Charge boss Mark Roberts had this to say about the car: “We’ve stuck to the iconic silhouette and classic lines of the ’67, but we’ve given the car a fresh, modern feel by streamlining the features. and minimizing panels.”
There’s no doubt that Charge’s electric Mustang looks fantastic, and if it succeeds, it could lead to other versions of retro electric vehicles. And that should excite enthusiasts because it means classic cars will remain relevant well into the future.
RELATED: More and more specialty stores are getting into the electric car conversion game
