Automotive giant Ford has joined other well-known car brands like Audi, McLaren, and Porsche, as well as Italian motorbike maker Ducati, and released two e-bikes.
Ford has named them after two of its best known vehicles – the off-road/SUV Bronco and the iconic Mustang muscle car – and claims that the new bikes aim to evoke the "spirit and performance" of these models.
So, can you expect to off-road in style on the Bronco and will the Mustang offer you plenty of grunt? Read on to find out.
Both the Bronco and Mustang have aluminum frames. These aren't made by Ford - its teamed up with e-bike frame builder N Plus, which also supplies Mercedes with its AMG F1 e-bikes.
We are used to car and bike brands launching 'unusual' looking bikes, but these two from Ford could well take the title as the oddest-looking electric bikes I've ever seen, and they even trump the Optibike Riot e-MTB.
Both bikes feature a 750W motor that puts out an impressive 85Nm of torque. Ford has – unlike practically every other e-MTB manufacturer – specced a hub-mounted motor. So what makes these slightly more unappealing is that a hub-mounted motor shifts the majority of the weight of the bike to the rear. Ford says both models are 'full-suspension', with 120mm of travel front and rear, using what Ford calls the G.O.A.T. system, or Goes Over Any Terrain. However, for anyone taking these on proper trails that extra rear-specific weight could make getting these over any sort of obstacle harder and it likely impacts the suspension performance.
While we are talking weight these two take no prisoners on the scales, the Bronco's claimed weight is 30.4kg, while the Mustang is even heavier at 30.8kg. For reference, the Riot Optibike Riot weighs 31kg, the Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon weighs 21kg and the Whyte E-Lyte 140 Works is just 17.4kg.
Other mountain biking-related details on both include Shimano Cues U4000, 9-speed, mechanical shifting, Tektro brakes hydraulic brakes with 203mm rotors and alloy e-MTB specific wheels which are unbranded. The Bronco has the highly rated Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M 27.5 x 2.6-inch tires, and the Mustang rolls on a more all-road-friendly Pirelli Angel Urban GT 27.5 x 2.25 tire.
There are some eye-catching features on both bikes, but the most unusual is on the Bronco and what Ford calls their 'moto-inspired saddle'. According to Ford there is no need to raise or lower the saddle for pedaling efficiency or for clearance on descents, and it 'helps riders confidently negotiate obstacles and land jumps'. The Bronco comes in one size and Ford says this Universal size will fit riders 5'4"-6'5". Mustang comes in S-L.
The two bikes come with a fairly massive digital dashboard and having damaged a few e-MTB control units over the years I'd say it looks pretty vulnerable. Riders use this to control the four power modes Eco, Normal, Sport, and Baja (Baja is for all-out performance) and Ford says the unit is an easy-to-read full-color display.
Other performance data like speed and remaining battery, as well as lights – with 2000 Lm of output and 180 Lux –can be viewed/controlled from here, with the graphics and telemetry inspired by the infotainment system found on Ford's vehicles.
Tyler Hill, Ford's global brand licensing manager said, “We know the passion and thrill that gets unlocked when people get behind the wheel of a Bronco and Mustang and these new electric bikes will allow more people to experience the adventurous spirit of a Bronco and the exhilaration of a Mustang from the moment they grip the handlebars.”
However, the names may be as close to being legendary as these two e-bikes are likely to get. And I think Steve McQueen would have walked off-set in embarrassment if he'd been asked to ride around on one of these bikes in his classic film Bullitt, instead of the gorgeous 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback.
Both bikes are available to order from Ford.com with a retail price of $4,500 for the Bronco and $4,000 for the Mustang. Custom color options are available for an extra $390.
