Your Definitive Guide to the Mustang Mach-E Rally EV

The Mustang Mach-E Rally EV - Your Definitive Guide

Supply and demand are the backbone of many world economies. As at August 2024, we have a curious position in the UK, with the company car and fleet market (including the salary sacrifice schemes) readily snapping up lithium tech with an almost reckless abandonment.

With so many financial and taxation incentives behind this transition, we are not surprised by the impressive statistics. However, for personal (or consumers / retail) customers there has been a notably steadier and cautious demand for pure electric cars, with a more practical whole of life costing rationale pushing any sales.

To be clear, there are no upfront incentives or support in place for a personal customer buying or leasing a new or used EV. However, intrigue is only likely to increase with the suggestion that Chinese product will be “dumped” into the UK, in response to the recent EU tariffs.

As reported in The Telegraph  and GB News , there are expected to be a swathe of new vehicles heading to our shores. Many of the bigger brands - SAIC and BYD - are already well known in the leasing industry, so there is an expectation that further discounts and offers will arise with their product.

Left-hand drive vehicles are expected to go to places like Norway and Switzerland, who also share the same enthusiasm for battery-led technology. In the UK, the Labour Government is driving the nation towards the ZEV Mandate, which will see more and more pressure being placed on manufacturers to ensure that zero-emission vehicles form part of their offering (or face financial penalties). But will there be a big enough demand in our market to absorb this supply?

This doesn’t mean that US and European brands are not going to be supplying pure electric vehicles. Having launched new options in the form of the Capri and Explorer SUV, the Ford group are attempting to address the suggestion that they are behind when it comes to pure electric transport.

For a well-known brand with some amazingly popular vehicles, like the Fiesta and Mondeo, the push into greener technology has not been as seamless as others. With pressure from the far-east now appearing to be even greater, the Ford engineers need to ensure they can provide solutions which are usable for the UK market.

In a surprise turn of events, the Mach-E, which has been available since 2020/2021, can now be purchased or leased in a unique Rally format. According to the Ford brand the RallySport drive mode is not just for show, with rally suspension and shock absorbers to be included.

The 19” gloss-white heritage wheels are standard, along with the Brembo brake callipers and rally-style mud flaps. The new Mach-E will also feature the dramatic rear spoiler and the protective rally seats. This electric SUV also features high level specification like B&O Sound System, Adaptive LED lights, panoramic glass sunroof, privacy glass, 360 degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, hands-free tailgate, wireless device, dual zone air conditioning, heated steering wheel, keyless entry and Thatcham Cat1 alarm.

And how does Rally Mach-E perform?

This AWD SUV will have a 91 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.6 seconds, 124mph top speeds and 358 kW (or 480hp). Expect a combined winter range of 215 miles with warmer weather allowing for 285 miles.

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour and 45 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 150 kW DC maximum allowing 47 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 322L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 113 mpg. It has no Bidirectional capabilities. The Mustang AWD can tow 750kg (Unbraked) or 750kg (Braked).

Browse our Ford Mustang Deals

But can my new-start limited company lease a new Mustang Mach-E Rally EV

However, the availability for this vehicle under a business contract hire arrangement does need consideration where you have a new company. To be clear, we are a credit broker and work with a panel of select finance companies who pay us a commission for our introduction.

This means we can access and review a number of solutions for the different types of personal and business customers we work with. The nature of contract hire and leasing is that it is a credit-based product. For a limited company, this means that an underwriter will review your accounts (filed at Companies House) together with the director’s details in a soft, or hard, credit search.

For a new-start company, which we consider as a company with under 12 months of trading (since incorporation) and with no accounts filed at Companies House, there is a potential to lease a vehicle. However, you do need to have some degree of organisation and information in order to process this with elements like:

•  Management Accounts (to show trading history); 
•  Bank Statements (3 months); and
•  Director Guarantee. 

As we work with various finance companies, they will each request slightly different information but with some similarities. Much of their focus is about your company demonstrating that there is a regular income and that your accountant (or financial team) are properly managing your financial performance.

In some cases, the enhanced initial rental / deposit will be requested, as the bigger initial outlay does show a commitment from the applicant. The director guarantee is available with some finance companies where this is a genuine SME and an owner-managed business.

However, the credit profile of the director is taken into account, so do check this with Experian first. In providing this undertaking the director is willing to step-in should the company fail to meets its obligations under the lease.

As ever, speak to our electric car experts about your new-start company if leasing is your preferred route. Or head to our  Ford Mach-E deals .