Ford has begun
testing on the streets of Dearborn a new crossover model wearing a rather
dizzying camouflage wrap in order to hide its true identity, leading us to
believe that this is our first look at a prototype of the 2020 Mach electric
SUV.
When Ford first
announced the development of the Mach 1, they said that the new electric SUV
will contain some of the Mustang’s DNA. Since then, we also found out that
Ford’s battery-electric crossover will be based on an electrified version of
the C2 platform that underpins models like the Focus and the Escape SUV. Ford’s
engineers went into great lengths to hide the vehicle’s key design features but
even so, elements like the steeply raked windshield and a slightly sloping roof
line can be seen through the camouflage.
The front end looks
like the area where cues from the Mustang will be used, including a set of
sharp, angular headlights and a separate pair of lights underneath them. Apart
from that, it’s really hard to say what’s the front grille arrangement will
look like, but so far it looks aggressive and sporty.
Ford’s mystery SUV
test car also comes with a few details that probably try to mask its true
identity, including a sticker on the rear quarters with the script ‘Diesel Fuel
Only’ and a pipe that looks like an exhaust. If you look closely, you’ll notice
that the area surrounding this “exhaust” has even accumulated some soot, which
might be -or not- fake. Despite these efforts, the completely flat underbody
indicates that Ford is simply trying to mess with our heads.
Unfortunately, the
prototype was photographed driving through an active construction zone and then
in heavy traffic, making it difficult for the photographer to hear if it ran in
pure EV silence. Details about the powertrain are still unknown at this point,
but we expect a driving range between 250 and 300 miles on a full charge. Ford
has said in the past that the Mach 1 will arrive in the market in 2020, but the
company is expected to give us a preview with a concept within the next 12
months.
Cr : Carscoops