Ford on Thursday showed what its Mustang Mach-E electric SUV might look like as a NASCAR race car.
The prototype is designed to look like a Mach-E, but is actually built around a carbon-fiber tub chassis with components from a current NASCAR Cup Series car, including the suspension, brakes, steering, and wheels, Ford said in a brief statement.
NASCAR unveiled its own electric SUV prototype, without any manufacturer-specific styling, in 2023. This Mach-E prototype shares some of its specs—both have tri-motor powertrains and 78-kwh battery packs—but Ford did not comment on these similarities. The powertrain differs from the offerings in the Mach-E road car, which is currently sold in single-motor and dual-motor configurations, with 72-kwh or 91-kwh battery packs.
Ford Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype
Dressing up a bespoke design to look like a Mach-E fits with the current NASCAR template, in which race cars are designed for the series but branded as road cars fans can buy. The “S” and “C” in NASCAR stand for “stock car” but, as anyone who’s watched “Days of Thunder” knows, there’s nothing stock about them.
The Mach-E also shows why NASCAR chose an SUV body style for its EV prototype. If Ford decided to race an electric stock car today, it would by default have to be badged as a Mach-E, as it’s the brand’s only EV other than the F-150 Lightning pickup truck. Ford has also been eager to build up the Mach-E’s performance credentials. In 2020, it unleashed a wild Mach-E demonstrator with seven motors and 1,400 hp to show off the performance potential of electric powertrains.
Ford showed the Mach-E prototype in action with long-time NASCAR driver David Ragan at the wheel, indicating it could see some type of competition or other track action.
It’s unclear if the Mach-E will ever get a chance to race, though. A 2022 report said NASCAR was planning an electric series, but the sanctioning body hasn’t made any official announcements, only saying that it aims to zero out emissions over the next decade. But Ford’s decision to follow NASCAR’s generic EV prototype with one badged as a Mach-E is an indication that things could be moving forward.
