After declaring its European operations will no longer sell combustion-engined passenger vehicles in 2030, Ford has confirmed that its next electric car will be built at a redeveloped Cologne manufacturing plant. A plant that will be transformed into the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre dedicated to electric car manufacturing. It will house the development of two Ford EVs specifically made for the European market, the first of which will arrive in only two years.
The first vehicle that expected to be produced at the new Cologne site will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric car platform. Some were speculating that it will likely be a small SUV with inspiration stemming from the brand new all-electric Mustang Mach-E, extending the Mustang family tree even more.
Now we are learning the new electric Ford will be similar in proportions to the first MEB car launched, the Volkswagen ID.3. However, some think it will lean more towards a crossover-like body as seen with the new Mustang Mach-E. With the Volkswagen ID.3 being 4,261mm long, it lands almost directly between the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus in regards to size. The platform is modular and allows for length adjustment with different battery options, so Ford’s new EV is expected to be similar in size to the ID.3 instead of its much longer brother, the Mustang Mach-E. The interior of the mini Mustang however, is expected to be fairly roomy with a close similarity in size to that of the the Mondeo.
With the use of the VW Group’s MEB skateboard platform, Ford will also have to use the same battery technology. In this case, Ford will offer a choice of 58kWh batteries with power outputs of 201bhp or 143bhp, or a 77kWh battery also with 201bhp, but with more range. Ford’s new EV will also be capable of fast charging with an expected 80% charge in about a half hour.
Although Ford of Europe’s chief designer Murat Gueler confirmed that the new car would in fact be a crossover, he noted that will have a different profile than the Mach-E.
As it has been unofficially dubbed the “mini Mustang,” we can only imagine that when it arrives in 2023, it will be priced below the Mustang Mach-E. However, no official pricing has been released.
For now, Ford says it is considering the potential for a second electric vehicle to be built at the Cologne manufacturing plant, however there was no information on whether or not it will sit on VW’s MEB platform.