The names, “Mustang” and “Shelby” have an almost magnetic attraction, the legendary Carroll Shelby first putting his touch on the iconic pony car back in 1965. Thus, it should come as no surprise the “tuner” house bearing Shelby’s moniker would want to take a shot at the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Shelby American announced Tuesday it plans to offer a custom upfit package for the sportiest version of that all-electric SUV, the Mach-E GT. And to honor the 100th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s birth, it will produce 100 of the packages. Disappointingly, they will only be available for European owners — though that could change later, officials told TheDetroitBureau.com.
“We elected to initially offer the Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT only in Europe because sales of EVs are growing much more rapidly there than in the USA,” explained Aaron Shelby, Carroll’s grandson and a board member of Shelby International, which owns Shelby American. With higher sales and more charging stations across the Continent, he added, “it just makes good business sense.”
“We’d be foolish not to”
Indeed, with EVs rapidly gaining traction in the automotive market, “we’d be foolish not to” look at other projects going forward, Gary Patterson, the president of Shelby American, told TheDetroitBureau.com in an exclusive interview. “If we don’t look at the future,” he added, “we’ll wind up like all these companies that took their eye off the ball and are now out of business.”
Shelby’s first EV project covers all Mustang Mach-Es built to-date, from the 2021 through 2023 model years.
“In 2021, we introduced a Shelby concept version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E to gauge public interest,” noted Patterson. “The reaction was very positive, especially with international enthusiasts. We developed our first production version of the vehicle based on that response. The Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT expands our menu of options with an EV for European enthusiasts.”
What’s new?
The Shelby mods sidestep the electric SUV’s drivetrain but should help improve performance nonetheless by shaving off a bit of weight and improving the Mach-E GT’s aerodynamics. Shelby American said it also will “tailor” the EV’s styling, while enhancing the EV’s “auditory appeal.”
Key modifications to the Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT include:
- A carbon fiber hood splitter;
- Custom lightweight wheels;
- A handling package that lowers the EV by more than an inch.
Among other things, the Shelby-modified Mach-E becomes the first EV to integrate the new Borla Active Performance Sound System.
Make some noise
“One of the biggest complaints about EVs is the lack of sound, which is an important visceral component to motoring for enthusiasts,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American vice president of Operations. “That is why we integrated Borla’s Active Performance Sound System into the Shelby Mustang Mach-E. This ‘auditory connection’ really intensifies the sensation and excitement of EV driving. Our Shelby Mustang Mach-E is the first production vehicle featuring the new Borla system.”
The custom package also provides carbon fiber mirror caps and door trim, racing stripes, Shelby-badged floor mats and an “official” Shelby CSM identification number.
“This is our first foray into a production electric vehicle, so we spent a great deal of time testing EVs on the track to understand their unique handling dynamics,” said LaViolette. “Based on that experience, we lowered the SUV over an inch, cut weight off the top of it, reduced rotating mass to enhance stability and enhanced the aerodynamics.”
What’s next?
What might be next for Shelby American? Officials aren’t saying. For his part, Patterson said he’s not yet convinced that EVs will click with serious performance buyers due to limitations like range and slow charging times. But he also said the raw power — and instantaneous torque — that electric motors can deliver could click with future fans.
“The jury is still out,” Patterson cautioned during a telephone interview, while adding that “you can speculate” Shelby American will explore ways to enhance the EV experience. The company is taking a “dual path” that will no longer be limited to working with internal combustion engines.
The upfit package for the Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT will go on sale in Europe this coming July. Only 100 will be offered at an MSRP of €24,900 — or $31,062. Customers will have to supply their own Mustang Mach-Es — and Shelby keeps any parts removed during the modification work.