Charge Cars' Electric Mustang is Back!
Nothing beats starting a week with some good news. It feels like only yesterday that Charge Cars, the plucky British outfit with the audacious plan to stuff an electric powertrain into a classic Ford Mustang, was circling the drain. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes (or maybe more like a zombie crawling out of its grave, given the whole electric thing), they're back! And this time, they're promising to "rapidly deliver" their '67 Mustang EV to customers. Now, where have I heard that before?
I've been around the automotive block a few times, and I've seen more than my fair share of ambitious projects crash and burn. For that reason, forgive me if I'm not quite ready to break out the champagne just yet. But I'll give these guys the benefit of the doubt. They've got a shiny new global headquarters in Silverstone, a consortium of private investors with deep pockets, and a car that looks absolutely bonkers. In a good way, of course.
Image Credit: Charge Cars.
We're talking about a hand-crafted, carbon-fiber-bodied beauty with a licensed Ford Mustang shell and an all-wheel-drive system powered by not one, not two, but four electric motors. With a combined output of 536 horsepower and a mind-boggling 1,121 lb-ft of torque, this thing promises to be faster than a greased weasel on a hot tin roof. Zero to 60 mph? Try a neck-snapping 3.9 seconds. That's quicker than many of us would call comfortable.
Of course, all this cutting-edge technology comes at a price. And by price, I mean an eye-watering $428,400. That's enough to make your wallet weep and your accountant spontaneously combust. Or is it the other way round? Never mind, the gist is that this isn't your everyday commuter. This is a modern piece of automotive art, and as such, only art collectors should apply to own one.
But isn't this just another one of those restomod projects, where they take a classic car and slap a bunch of modern bits on it? Yes and no. While the '67 Mustang EV certainly pays homage to its iconic ancestor, it's also a thoroughly modern machine with a bespoke suspension, torque vectoring technology, and a unique infotainment system. It is a classic cocktail with a modern twist. Like a Martini with a dash of Red Bull, or a Mint Julep with a splash of… well, you know where I'm going with this.
There's one tiny detail in this whole phoenix saga that has the potential of derailing yet another electric dream. Do you remember Arrival, the EV startup that went belly up last year? Charge Cars were buying powertrain components from them. With Arrival gone, it's anyone's guess where Charge is getting its bits and bobs from.
I really want to see how this whole thing pans out. Will Charge Cars finally deliver on its promise of an electrifying Mustang? Or will it go up in smoke like Canoo just did? I'll be here, watching closely with a bucket full of skepticism ready, just in case. After all, that's what I do best.
There's no other way to put it - the Charge Cars '67 Mustang EV is a blast from the past, reimagined for the future. It's fast, it's furious, and it's going to cost you an arm and a leg. But at least it's not another boring SUV. It's an automotive work of art that deserves to experience the tarmac. It's one of those creations that should end up on posters adorning teenagers' bedroom walls all over the world. It's aspirational and inspirational at the same time - magic on wheels.
