Shelby Mustang Mach‑E concept previews future uber‑EV

Certainly if you were anticipating something closer to the crazy, seven-motor, 1,400PS (1029kW) Mustang Mach-E 1400 one-off we saw at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard this year you will be disappointed. The Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT Concept – revealed as one of Ford’s 40 custom creations at the annual SEMA show in Las Vega this week – is more about the looks than the performance.

It could be argued that the big five-door SUV in dual motor, all-wheel-drive GT form (due in the UK shortly) is plenty fast enough already with its claimed 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds. But attach a Shelby badge and performance expectations naturally go through the roof.

The concept leaves the standard GT spec – 487PS (358kW) and 860Nm (636lb ft) – alone and instead concentrates on looks. No surprise then that the white body gets a liberal dose of Shelby blue racing stripes. There’s also a set of very tasty 20-inch one-piece forged wheels inside flared guards.

Those wheel arch extensions are, like other new body elements, realised in graphene-infused carbon-fibre. Other pieces that get the lightweight and more aerodynamic treatment are the front apron and bonnet with its new air intake.

The big change inside is to ditch the standard seats for a set of shapely Recaros, and the major change underneath is to add Shelby-tuned Ford MagneRide dampers with composite carbon-fibre composite springs. And that’s your lot.

Curiously other Mustang Mach-E custom creations at the SEMA show up the ante rather more – including one version that’s been let off its electronic leash so it can top out at 200mph (the standard GT is limited to 124mph). Ford hopes to hit the double ton during the 2022 Bonneville Speed Week after which the car will be auctioned in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

How will it hit 200mph? The white GT model has the same 487PS as the regular GT but sports a carbon-fibre front splitter and huge rear wing, plus other changes to the aerodynamics. Wheels, suspension and brakes are all upgraded too.

And the orange Mach-E? This is the third of the Mustang SUV concepts at SEMA, and in keeping with its California Route One name gets more of a lifestyle makeover. Included here are solar panels to power the electric bicycle mounted on the back, adjustable air suspension, 22-inch wheels and a cabin trimmed in white leather.

Like the others, it’s a one-off and meant only to give a taste of what’s possible with a more personalised Mach-E. As for future new versions, a Shelby Mustang Mach-E has to be a starter doesn’t it? To be worthy of the great man though, surely such an electric beast needs to have more substance than just a cosmetic once-over.