How many things you discover in a winter day driving a Mustang Mach-E. For example, I understand what a dad feels when his daughter has a first date. How it feels to hang out with Brad Pitt, knowing he’ll take you to an organic restaurant. And how easy it is to impress men if you load up on your two inseparable friends and take them out to lunch * with the all electric SUV of the Ford family, just launched in Italy. Of the technical characteristics and performance out of the ordinary of the model that for the first time in the history of the brand comes with an electric-only propulsion, you can read here. This is instead a story made of beautiful sensations, small anxieties, great emotions, in short, of what it still makes today the relationship with the machines something that makes your heart beat.
For one who every 8 May is moved thinking of Gilles Villeneuve (who died that day, in 1982), but who does not distinguish a carburetor from an oil pan, getting behind the wheel is above all an idea of ​​freedom, being able to move without having to respect timetables, changing your itinerary at the last minute, perhaps lingering on the side of the road to enjoy the view. I go to the dealership appointment to pick up the car to be tested in the next two days with a thread of apprehension. What if they don’t take me seriously because I’m a woman and not specialized in motors? Worse still, if I make a mistake the start in front of everyone just because I have to get carried away? With a Mustang you can’t joke about it, if you hit it. Then there is the story of the door without handles and the opening that can be controlled with the smartphone. I already see myself frozen to death on some peaks because I have discharged the battery of the iPhone by dint of photos, or I do not understand where the hell I have to put my hand to operate the door.
“Do you mind if I call you tu?” You know we are very easy going, very American style », the chief mechanic smiles at me from behind the mask and I begin to relax. The whole workshop is in turmoil for the racing car arrived especially for me a few hours earlier from Germany. They are too polite to approach, but they don’t take their eyes off her. She, one Premium all-wheel drive, sparkles in the evening lights with its Carbonized Gray, a sophisticated shade of gray on which the fiery red brake calipers. He, with clear explanations, guides me in downloading the Ford app and configuring the functions controlled by the “frying pan”, as my friends and I have nicknamed the fantastic 15.5-inch central touchscreen, which mesmerized us at every red light. There are just a few steps, a very easy process even for those who are not at the top in terms of technology. Then we move on to the mother of all explanations, how to recharge the car when you are away from Ford Connected Wallbox in 7.4 and 11 kW versions to be fixed to the wall of the home garage with which you can fill up with energy from 10 to 80% in about 6 hours. Here, too, it’s all simple, to the point of suspecting not having grasped some fundamental advice, but no: in the car there is a nice cable to connect to the columns, with different attacks at the ends, so it is impossible to get confused. Here we are, the adventure begins. As I take off my coat to sit on the seat I see them all with legs apart and arms folded, like a string of dads ready to greet their daughter on her first date. I am the suitor, all in all they trust me because exchanging a few words, they realized that I understand driving, but who knows if I will make the Mach-E happy. I close the door, take a deep breath, think of the words a little while ago: “You feel it immediately yours“. I press softly on the accelerator, devil of a mechanic, you’re right.
The steering wheel has a sensual touch (it will become salvific the next day when I realize I can heat it, avoiding the icy fingers on 1500mt). The driver’s seat offers you comfort and visibility, so you can easily perceive the volume of the car, resulting in a smooth and relaxed movement in traffic. And even when you arrive at your destination you park without worries, using the excellent rear camera, if like me you flee fromAdvanced Active Park Assist, the automatic parking system (I know it’s cool, but seeing the steering wheel turn by itself gives me the impression that the car is possessed).
The next morning I wake up early and lie in bed fantasizing about the day ahead. A Mustang has been driven several times by Sean Connery as James Bond. The GT390 driven by Steve McQueen in the film Bullitt of 1968 was auctioned a year ago for 3.7 million dollars. in conclusion an icon fast & beautiful, a kind of four-wheeled Brad Pitt waiting for you under the house, to take you to a fantastic organic restaurant, because the story of the “Born to be wild” is fine, but it no longer feeds on pollutants.
Whisper, Active e Untamed are the three driving parameters to be selected according to the context, from relaxed, to brilliant, to indomitable. The first text just five minutes, to silence my conscience. On the highway, I settle for the middle ground, while looking forward to the fun on the mountain roads in mode Untamed. The system designed to prevent lane crossing it’s too sensitive for my taste. A slight shift of the steering wheel is enough to feel “pushed” back, a sensation I am not used to and that makes me nervous, rather than helping me, until I discover that I have set it to the maximum. The lower option is less intrusive and after a while I get used to it, in the meantime I immediately make friends with the panoramic roof from which I admire the blue sky when I’m still.
Between curves and hairpin bends, the pleasure begins. The shot is powerful (0 to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds is not for waffles), but never nervous. Mach-E is glued to the road in terms of stability, agile in steering and aggressive, if you need an extra tear. And when select the sound from runner of the engine it is a moment to identify with a spy in the service of his majesty.
The only problem is that I burn the range of kilometers up to the jugs quickly, so I find myself in the Alps blessing those who have thought of installing two charging stations in Bielmonte. Moment of panic when I realize the uselessness of ATMs and credit cards, given that energy managers each require their own card. Followed by gratitude and jubilation in remembering the card placed in the glove compartment by the brave mechanic: «In case I had to reload». Fortunately, it is from the same supplier, otherwise I would have had to follow the instructions of the on-board computer, deviating a little from the pre-established itinerary.
The return to the city, after a breathtaking sunset at high altitude, is in the name of relaxation, thanks also to the soft lighting (adjustable to suit your taste) and the Bang & Olufsen sound system with ten speakers. However, there is another moment of glory to live, the lunch the next day with the FF – Forever Friends in a magical place, just outside Milan. With friends loaded and seat belts fastened, we head towards the countryside, under the curious and fascinated eyes of the other motorists. There are those who throw their eyes nonchalantly, those who observe the trinket from the rearview mirror. Someone even brakes and pulls over to better observe the Mach-E line, while we leave the restaurant where we dined with water, because even a glass is too much at the wheel. «Girls, you can cook with the Mach-E!» We laugh happily. I take them back and go to return the Mustang. “Then? Did you have fun?They ask me. A lot and I already miss it.
*This driving experience was made before the entry into force of the restrictions imposed by the Government during the Christmas period to contain the infections of covid-19. The Ford employees delivered the car sanitized and the people who boarded it always wore FFp2 masks, providing for frequent hand sanitation. At that time, moreover, it was possible to move within one’s own region, even between different municipalities.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
