Ford is developing a Mustang-related electric performance SUV, with the evocative name Mach1. The brand revealed that its first battery-electric performance car will sport an SUV body style, and will be related to the Mustang.

Ford says it has learned from early BEVs that people like 'really nice products'. According to Joe Hinrichs, president of global operations, the plan is to concentrate on 'electrifying the iconic nameplates’ and making cars with fairly high sticker prices, rather than specialising in electric compacts.

This suggests that the electric performance SUV will be a derivative of an existing nameplate, rather than a full, stand-alone EV. Ford’s popular SUV, the Explorer was shown in the brand’s announcement video for the project, although it’s not confirmed if this will be the host model for the Mach1. The Mach1 nameplate was originally used on the Mustang but hasn't been confirmed for production yet.

Ford’s Mach1 is a key part of a new doubling of its investment in electric cars from $4-5 billion to about $11 billion, slightly extending the period for that investment to 2022. Mach 1 will be apart of the new cars arriving in 2020. Between now and 2022, the company will spend on 40 new cars - 16 full EVs and 24 hybrids.

For India, Ford is expected to bring in the refreshed Mustang and the updated Figo, Aspire models this year. It will also launch a cross-hatch based on the Figo in the coming months.