The Ford Mustang Dark Horse represents the best of the herd when it comes to sheer gasoline-powered performance. However, there’s no denying that all-electric vehicles, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, are often on par with – if not faster than – the quickest internal combustion engine (ICE) models. Edmunds recently pitted the two Mustang siblings against one another, putting a Mustang Dark Horse on the drag strip alongside a Mustang Mach-E GT.
The competition comes down to a set of two races. The Mustang Mach-E GT is expected to get off the line quicker than the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, but the ICE-based pony has a higher top end than its all-electric counterpart, which could actually keep things fairly even on track in a series of U-drag races, which includes a sharp turn and another gallop back down the drag strip.
The first race goes as expected with the Mach-E GT off the line first, and the Mustang Dark Horse manages to close the gap before the turn. The Mustang Mach-E holds the advantage for a while, but heading back toward the finish line, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse passes the EV crossover like it’s standing still and doesn’t look back.
Mark one victory down for the Mustang Dark Horse and its 5.0L Coyote V8 powerhouse. They line them up and try for round two. Again, the Mustang Mach-E GT gets the jump and gaps the Mustang Dark Horse heading to the U-turn. The EV requires earlier braking than the Dark Horse, though, allowing the ICE-based pony to get the jump. Once again, it sets the pace, crossing the line well shut of the Mach-E GT.
Turns out, the Mustang Mach-E GT lost some performance as its battery depleted. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse, meanwhile, improved the longer it was on track as its tires warmed up and burned off some fuel.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is certainly a force to be reckoned with, even putting its sibling, the Mustang GT, to shame in another set of drag races.
Comments
YEP! I am still glad that I bought a 2021 Mustang Mach 1 and not a Mach E. My first Mustang was a 1971 Mustang, 302 V8, 210 HP. I loved it and always wanted a Mach 1. When the Mach 1 came back again in 2021, I decided it was time to buy one. So, it is a 2021 Mach 1, 5.0L, V8, 480 HP, 6 speed manual. And, in Grabber Yellow. It gets a lot of attention on the road, more than the ’71 Mustang that was Grabber Green Metallic.
I like how he said that the Mach E HP faded as the battery went lower. My Mach 1 probably gets faster with less fuel and less weight. But, not enough to notice on the highway. And, I don’t need to look for an electric charge station, as the Mach 1 uses any gasoline, does not have to be Premium either.
Must use the same driver on both test and timed. This race is nonsense. We don’t know who was the better driver.
The video does show drivers switching cars and the times results of the tests.