The whole "Mustang" and "electric" combo still makes some folks do a double-take, like seeing your grandma rock out at a Metallica concert. But Ford, bless their risk-taking hearts, seems determined to make this bizarre mashup work. Their latest move? The 2024 Mustang Mach-E Rally – a dirt-flinging, power-sliding, electric oddball that oozes attitude.

Ford’s promising Rally shares the Mach-E GT's powertrain – 480 horsepower (358 kW) and a monstrous 700 lb-ft (949 Nm) of torque. If those figures deliver, expect a 0-60 mph sprint in about 3.4 seconds. That's enough shove to rearrange your organs and make you question everything you thought you knew about electric cars.

But the Rally isn't just about drag races. It channels its rally car ancestors with a tougher suspension, MagneRide dampers, a 0.78-inch (20mm) ride height boost, and grippy Michelin CrossClimate tires. Imagine this beast tearing down a gravel road, dust flying, and you'll see why this old gearhead is secretly grinning. Talk about flipping the bird to those sterile, silent EVs.

Looks-wise, the Rally is like an '80s rally car went on a bender in a neon arcade. That black roof, rally stripes, and even fog lights scream old-school cool with an electric twist. Inside, white accents and sport seats amp up the energy. If this thing doesn't spark joy in your inner teenager, you might want to check your pulse.

And Ford hasn't skimped on the practical bits. That precious 91 kWh battery is shielded like Fort Knox, ready for the bumps and scrapes that come with its rebellious nature. They even stuck a tow hook on the front, like a knowing wink to those times when you might get a bit over-enthusiastic with the throttle.

The whole Mach-E Rally project seems to have sprouted legs surprisingly fast (18 months from idea to reveal). That's a sign of Ford not just dipping their toes in the EV pool, but doing a full-on cannonball. Price of admission? A buck under $60,000. Not cheap if you really want to compare it to the Tesla Model Y - but why would you? There is literally nothing else out there like the Mach-E Rally. Unless you want a track-slaying Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - but you wouldn’t want taking it off road, would you?

So, will this Frankenstein-mobile make us die-hard engine lovers fall head over heels for electricity? Well, the jury is out on this one. But damn if it isn't a fascinating beast. The Mach-E Rally is audacious, unexpected, and a whole lot of fun – a wild card from a company we thought was getting a bit too comfortable. And in a world filled with sensible, predictable cars, sometimes a dose of automotive insanity is exactly the antidote we need.