Ford Hires Idris Elba To Help Launch Mustang-Inspired EV Crossover

The action star knows more about Ford than you might think.

Idris Elba Ford Mustang

Christopher Smith

By: Christopher Smith

Nov 4, 2019 at 7:36pm ET

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In case you haven’t heard, Ford is on the cusp of debuting its first-ever vehicle designed from the onset to run solely on electric power. If that’s not catchy enough, it’s said to be a Mustang-inspired crossover. Selling Mustang fans on a four-door crossover will already be a tall order, but nixing any semblance of a V8 for electric power could be a disaster-in-the-making if it doesn't appeal to mainstream buyers.

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Perhaps that’s why Ford has enlisted the help of critically acclaimed actor and all-around action-movie badass Idris Elba, who will assist the Blue Oval on this all-important vehicle launch. And as it turns out, he has more than fame backing him up on this gig.

“Most people don’t know this, but I worked at Ford as a young guy,” said Elba in a press release from Ford. “My dad also worked at Ford. It’s practically in my blood. So working on this project and getting behind the wheel of a car that takes us all towards the future feels like things are coming full circle, but with more exhilaration and tech.”

Ford Mustang-Inspired EV CAD Image

He’s certainly not wrong about moving towards the future. There’s no question the automotive landscape is experiencing a paradigm shift, and electrified vehicles with increasing levels of technology are at the forefront. There’s no reason to believe any storied moniker will be immune to the change, including the Mustang. The million-dollar question going forward will be whether such evolution benefits the brand, or signals the beginning of the end.

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To Ford’s credit, the company backtracked on calling this new offering Mach 1 not long after the EV crossover wasofficially announced way back in January 2018. Evolution doesn’t have to completely trump pedigree, and while we still don’t know what this Mustang-themed EV will be called, a trademark filing back in April suggests it could be called the Mach-E.

Whatever it’s called, you can see Ford reveal the name – and the entire vehicle – in a livestream event on November 17. We will carry the full stream here at Motor1.com

Source: Ford

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FORD PARTNERS WITH IDRIS ELBA TO REVEAL ALL-ELECTRIC, MUSTANG-INSPIRED SUV

Ford announce partnership with Idris Elba for the launch of the up-coming all-new, all-electric Mustang-inspired SUV.
Global reveal date is November 18th, 2019
The game-changing all-new vehicle has a targeted driving range of up to 600 km (more than 370 miles under WLTP regulations)
Reveal to be livestreamed from Los Angeles ahead of the LA Auto Show

BRENTWOOD, Essex, Nov.4, 2019 – Ford today announced a creative partnership with Idris Elba for the launch of the upcoming all-new, all-electric Mustang-inspired SUV.

The British star said, “Most people don’t know this, but I worked at Ford as a young guy. My dad also worked at Ford. It’s practically in my blood. So working on this project and getting behind the wheel of a car that takes us all towards the future feels like things are coming full circle, but with more exhilaration and tech.”

The reveal of the all-new vehicle, which will have a targeted pure-electric driving range of up to 600 km (more than 370 miles under WLTP regulations), will be livestreamed from a location in Los Angeles at 02:00 GMT on November 18th.

Ford’s new all-electric vehicle will be on public display for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2019.

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