The iconic Ford Mustang is now available without the iconic noisy gas-guzzling engine options - but is that okay? Our roving reporter Graham Courtney decided to take one for a spin to find out if the new electrified version lives up to the name.

When Ford announced they would produce an electric Mustang, petrol fanatics worldwide broke out in a heavy sweat, fearing that the thumping 5.0 litre V8 would be ditched.

Fear not, fellow petrolheads! The original Mustang is alive and kicking.

The electric Mustang is actually an SUV called the Mustang Mach-E. Why on Earth they called it a Mustang is a mystery to everyone. Surely Ford must have someone in a department who’s getting paid a fortune to come up with clever names. Perhaps they had the day off, or maybe the message is still sitting in their outbox. We’ve all been there.

Anyway, The Mach-E looks fabulous.

As with every electric car, there is one question on everyone’s lips. How far will it travel before you need a recharge? The answer is some really good news because it’s up with the best, going for an estimated 379 miles before drifting to a halt. Granted, cold weather with heaters, lights and wipers in operation will sap that figure, but 250 miles should be easily reachable in most conditions. If you have access to a rapid charger, you’ll get a 73-mile boost to get you home in around 10 minutes.

As for performance, go for the full-fat Mustang Mach-E, and you’ll hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds which is impressive, bearing in mind that this car weighs two tonnes. You’ll frighten the life out of most so-called supercars.

Price? Everything starts at £47,530, which, compared to other all-electric cars with similar range and performance, is decent value.

Three versions are available. Rear-wheel drive (with a single rear motor), all-wheel drive (with motors at the front and rear), and the GT. You have a choice of two battery packs, 75kWh or 98kWh. The bigger one gets the more extended range, respectfully. Power on the entry-level Mach-E is 264bhp, while the more extensive, extended range battery boosts things to 290bhp. The AWD twin motor Mach-E is also available with the 264bhp power level, but you can up the ante and go for 346bhp with a longer-range battery. The GT gets a whopping 480bhp.

Every Mustang Mach-E is well equipped, including sat-nav, climate control, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, and LED headlights. An enormous 15.5-inch touchscreen controls most of the gadgetry.

Out on the road, the Mach-E is comfortable and responsive. If you think it will drive like a Ford Mustang coupé, forget it. It drives like what it’s supposed to be; a family SUV that’ll be happy on the school run, family holidays and going to the tip.

Just like other electric cars, it is super-easy to drive. Hop in, turn it on, twist the gear knob to D and away you go. You can have some fun on twisty roads, but the Mach-E really excels as a cruiser. You can choose from three driving modes which adjust stuff like throttle response, brakes and steering. Ford calls them Active, Whisper and Untamed. Why? No idea. Just leave it in Active (standard), and you’ll be fine.

Ford is promising more fully electric cars over the next few years. If they’re anything like the Mustang Mach-E, we can’t wait.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Ford Press Office