Hot Take: The Mach-E Is 100% a Mustang.

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
11/18/2019 at 11:19 • Filed to: None

The Mustang has always embodied “Americaness”. It is a renowned brand with such an emotional feeling attached to it.

Each generation of the Mustang, and the powerplants that it comes with has been a reflection of American culture, economics and taste.

The Mustang II and the Fox Body Mustang both strongly reflect the times and markets that they were born into. More recently, the Ecoboost Mustang and transition to an IRS setup show how the car has evolved.

My hot take? Americans are getting older, bigger and can’t drive stick. General society no longer care s about performance other than a torquey feeling occasionally when they stomp on the pedal. People are obsessed with technology and prioritize having a massive touchscreen. This is a Mustang because it reflects those desires. Same with the ST brand being 100% SUVs.

Our time is coming to an end, there is no doubt about it. Wasting ink stating “this isn’t a Mustang” is just auto-journos lying to themselves and us. The automotive version of a political bubble.

DISCUSSION (46)

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:22

So why didn’t your title say “ Hot Take: The Mustang Mach-E Is 100% a Mustang.”

Kinja'd!!!

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:23

This is a good take.

jimz > HammerheadFistpunch
11/18/2019 at 11:24

he transferred out of the Department of Redundancy Department.

MonkeePuzzle > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:25

if not 120- 150% of a mustang...

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

jimz > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:25

hey, it sold me. these things are quick . Not Model S P100 quick, mind, but gets your attention. If you’ve never driven a mid-high power EV you should at least give one a try. Even the Focus Electric I drove a few years ago felt a lot quicker than its ~140 hp would have indicated.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:25

Sad truth?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:27

What car embodies “Canadianess”?

Ash78, voting early and often > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:29

I will reserve judgment on this issue for 20 more years until I can assess their proliferation in trailer parks and Class-C apartment complexes. ONLY THEN SHALL WE REALLY KNOW.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:29

my hot take is that it is a mustang because ford calls it a mustang and ford gets to decide what is and is not a mustang because they make the mustang

MoCamino > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:29

YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH......ah crap, you’re probably right. :(

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > MonkeePuzzle
11/18/2019 at 11:31

Edit: Apparently there is a link to McMike’s works that got kinja’d on my end

Credit to McMike for these

Kinja'd!!!

For Sweden > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:31

Hot take: if it wasn’t a Mustang, it would have a more practical body shape

user314 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:33

Kinja'd!!!

MonkeePuzzle > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
11/18/2019 at 11:33

I felt direct linking to his Instagram was sufficient credit, I certainly intended no theft (its not like I sometimes change ym kinja display name to mcmikeypuzzle )

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 11:33

Another hot take? Like the USA we have a lot of distinct subcultures across our large geographic area. Unlike the USA, I feel that we no longer have a unifying national identity, or if we do, we don’t subscribe to it on the West Coast.

The snowmobiling, maple leaf wearing, hockey playing stereotype doesn’t adhere well to a part of the country where it never gets cold enough to play hockey or snowmobile. Also, over 50% of metro Vancouver speaks a language other than English or french as a first language.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > MonkeePuzzle
11/18/2019 at 11:35

Ah...must be a kinja thing then. I just saw the comment and no photo or link.

dogisbadob > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:37

It doesn’t even look like an Accord tho :p

Tripper > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:37

On board with this take

MonkeePuzzle > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
11/18/2019 at 11:38

oh kinja, the gift that keeps giving

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:41

Fair point, but do y ou really think the US has a unifying national identity?

Our identity, at our best, is that we’re a huge melting pot, but it’s not like the flavors all meld into one. Ideally, we’d all keep some of our old traditions from our individual cultures, but wholehearted join in and participate in the American experiment. I’ve heard it referred to as more of a salad bowl (hopefully no part is kept “on the side”).

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 11:44

I think that the US 100% has a national identity. The “respect the flag, uphold the constitution, trucks, eagles, burgers, GOD” identity is strong everywhere.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:49

You really need to see more of the States. You’re right in the South, much of the Midwest, a good part of the West, and in rural places across the country, but I’d argue half the population isn’t really like that at all. We’re becoming more and more deeply divided, sadly.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 11:52

Oh, I agree with that. The divide between rural WA and OR and Portland/Seattle is massive. But, I stand by my statement. I think when you live in the USA you get used to a lot of the minor things.

Bumper stickers and billboards espousing various views are incredibly common down there. Not so up here.

412GTI > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:54

I think at the end of the day we’re still going to have the regular Mustang and however long this version lasts.

A lot of people might not get it, but I think I’m starting to come around on why they did this from a business perspective. Without the risk we’d just have another Chevy Bolt type blog that no one wants to buy and dealers are uninterested to sell. This will be different.

wafflesnfalafel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 11:55

“Mustang” as socio-economic construct - I’ll allow it. Take your everyman vehicle and turn it into something hip and youthful, whatever that everyman vehicle is.

Jewish Stig > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 11:58

I imagine it must involve maple syrup, and quite a bit...

Or something with a Moose...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 12:00

I mean, Canadians are more reserved in general, eh?

They’re more likely to keep their opinions to themselves, while many Americans are more than willing to tell you how they really feel.

I’d be very happy if the bumper sticker/billboard thing would not be the way it was down here.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 12:01

That’s the same as saying the Canadian stereotype of The Great White North skits is strong everywhere in Canada. It’s fun and funny to use, eh, but it’s not reality.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > For Sweden
11/18/2019 at 12:02

Apparently the back seats have surprisingly good head room. The H-point must be considerably lower than a normal crossover, I suppose.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
11/18/2019 at 12:03

[slow clap]

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI
11/18/2019 at 12:05

Had to be a premium product with a premium name to get a premium price.

They’re hoping it sells like crazy to cover the development costs, then the platform can be shared across other lines for less.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 12:06

This is a reasonable take. The original concept of the Mustang was something sporty, stylish, and fun that the common person could afford to drive and not have to deal with a full on sports car. I suppose this is that for everyone who wouldn’t or couldn’t afford to get a Tesla or Taycan it also would find the Leaf or Volt too boring.

jimz > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 12:08

The “big cities” (NYC, DC, LA, Bay Area, Chicago) are very, very different than much of the rest of the country. the urban/rural divide in the US is very sharp.

jimz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 12:09

plus there’s those ZEV credits they get....

Wacko > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 12:36

The Quebec special does.

A bare bone micra with no a/c and no power anything with a manual

Barebone Hyundai Accent with no a/c

For Sweden > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 12:36

That’s cool but not when the storage is compromised

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 13:13

Kinja'd!!!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 13:38

The Mustang has always embodied “Americaness”

a reflection of American culture

Go back to eating your poutine and don’t tell me ‘bout mah Muricaness, Maple Leaf Boy!

Americans are getting older, bigger and can’t drive stick.

Nevermind, he know’s what he’s talking about.

TheRevanchist > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 14:59

The true test will be when people bring their cars to a local meet up and see if one winds up stuck on a flag pole or runs over a crowd of people.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 15:24

Drivetrain tunnel . Fuel Tank. Exhaust system.

All GONE. The battery pack can package flatter than all of that, and the rear seat may be slightly lower.

Also, no headliner, gap, and roof braces for a glass roof... so that is a bit more headroom. A shade can be pretty close to the glass, if there is one.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
11/18/2019 at 15:41

Very good point, but a lot of buyers in this segment want the higher H-point. Just wondering if the seats in this thing (since it’s a Mustang*), are lower/sportier than a normal crossover.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/18/2019 at 18:11

I imagine it is probably similar relative to the front seat H-point as most CUVs are... whether both rows are lower or higher, no idea at this point.

I do find it a little funny that Acura ZDX and CrossTour, and BMW X6 and other early models bore a lot of the brunt of disapproval for this class of vehicle, which now is much more widespread and much less vilified ... t

he fastback 5-door CUV, in addition to the long-roof traditional boxier form of CUV.

Nauraushaun > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 21:52

Using that logic words are meaningless and SUVs are coupes

Urambo Tauro > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/18/2019 at 23:53

This is too abstract for me. I don’t like defining cars by what they meant for their contemporary markets . I prefer to look at them for what they literally are . Ford spent over five decades selling the Mustang as a specific type of car. The Mach-E is great and wonderful in many w ays, but it fails to uphold what everyone has come to know and love as a Mustang . Maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad if there had been Mustang SUVs and Mustang cars from day one, but to introduce this thing so late in the game feels like a brand identity betrayal out of left field .

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
11/19/2019 at 09:33

While I’m not a fan of giving it the Mustang name, this is a much better looking car than the 3 you’ve named. And it also seems to be better packaged - good headroom in the back, and decent cargo room behind the seats (clearly, not as much as a traditional “boxy” SUV).

I still think the Cayenne Coupe is stupid. It has the same paint trick to try to maintain the fastback profile from the side.

The original FX35 was actually the pioneer in this market space.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/19/2019 at 10:50

Infiniti FX35 was one of the first, but it is kind of in a limbo between a long-roof, and a fastback. It was sportier than most CUVs, and while it did have some rake to it, t he rear hatch hinge point is not all that far forward. Kind of like an Edge or MKX... the glass was raked and slanted for a long-roof , but not quite a 5-door fastback.

I kind of liked ZDX other than the cyber-beak corporate Acura grille , and there are versions of the X6-M that can look interesting in the right color, but CrossTour was not a good look.