Ford's electric crossover to join Mustang family with Mach-E name

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.'s new long-range electric crossover is not just inspired by the Mustang; it's joining the stable.

The automaker on Thursday said the vehicle will be called the Mustang Mach-E, making it the first crossover to wear the galloping horse badge in the iconic pony car's 55-year history. Ford plans to reveal the Mach E on Sunday night, ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Ford said it will begin accepting $500 refundable reservations starting after the reveal ends, around 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The deposit will allow customers to configure their vehicle and reserve their spot in line for when the crossover goes on sale next year.

Ford plans to have actor Idris Elba introduce the Mach-E after last week announcing him as a spokesman.

Ford has made a deliberate decision to focus on performance with its next wave of EVs after its early foray into electrification produced now-discontinued vehicles such as the Focus Electric and C-Max plug-in hybrid that were known more for their fuel economy than driving capability.

Speaking about the Mach-E at this year's Crain's Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year luncheon, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said it "is going to go like hell," a callback to the automaker's motto when racing at Le Mans.

"When we first started talking about electrification," Ford said, "there was this thought that there had to be a trade-off: It was either going to be green and boring and no fun, or really exciting but burn a lot of fossil fuels. Electrification has come to the point that you can do both."