$59,990 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally Has ‘Serious Performance On Dirt Roads’

This Mach-E variant has taller suspension and rally tires, and Ford says it can go sideways around a gravel road.

For the past two years, Ford has been developing a rally-inspired version of the Mustang Mach-E, specially designed to be great around a gravel track. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally has taller suspension, special wheels, and calibration, making it a unique proposition in the crowded electric crossover segment with its blend of performance and off-road ability.

This rally-inspired Mach-E is not a one-off special but a variant of the model that you can buy starting at $59,995. It comes with the 91-kilowatt-hour extended-range battery pack, but the EPA range drops from 280 miles to 265 miles because of the rally modifications.

The Mach-E for rally enthusiasts

While there is a wide selection of performance electric crossovers to rival the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the new Rally variant is a one-of-a-kind proposition in the segment.

Dual-motor all-wheel drive is standard, and it has a combined power output of 480 horsepower, just like the GT variant. However, it has 100 more pound-feet of torque (or 66 lb-ft more than the GT Performance), for a total of 700 lb-ft. This helps it complete the dash from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds (four-tenths less than the Mach-E GT).

Other Mach-E Rally modifications include a one-inch suspension lift, special tuning for the adaptive dampers and a set of 19-inch white wheels with Michelin CrossClimate2 all-season tires. Ford says the new suspension tuning should ensure a smooth ride over rough roads and the upgraded Brembo front brakes should help instill additional confidence while driving on a loose surface.

It also gets underbody protection, which should shield the battery pack and other vulnerable parts of the underbelly from rocks. It won’t be hard to tell the Rally apart from other Mach-Es with its special grille with integrated fog lights, a different rear spoiler, and a black roof complimented by black stripes on the hood and decklid.

Another addition unique to the Mach-E Rally is the RallySport driving mode, which is the one you want to be in when the tarmac runs out. The best part about it is that it allows the car to slide around a lot more, and it also changes accelerator pedal response to improve control—this could be the most fun Mach-E variant released so far.

You can order the Mach-E Rally with six available paint colors, but the most attention-grabbing is Grabber Yellow. These photos were taken while Ford was still testing the model, which is why the vehicle is quite dirty in all of them. It does look pretty good covered in all that dirt, though, and it looks like Ford’s engineers had a lot of fun testing it in the dirt.

I rode in Volvo’s new electric SUV and was not at all surprised by it

One hour east of Gothenburg, Sweden, the sun was shining on another blue sky spring day. The chamber of commerce weather was perfect for the full day of learning about and testing out the 2025 Volvo EX90 at Hällerd Proving Ground.

A small group of Volvo project managers and engineers gave us the lowdown on Volvo’s latest electric vehicle. The EX90 joins the company’s fleet as its flagship this year alongside its gasoline-powered XC90 counterpart. Though they are similar sized, the XC90 is a completely different vehicle.

Volvo knows a thing or two about EVs already. This new effort is one in a line of models that stretches from the 1976 Volvo Electric Prototype that sits in the new World of Volvo brand showcase center, to the C30 electric car from 2010 and into today with the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, both of which were part of my journey across the American West late last year, and the lauded EX30 small SUV.

When the EX90 debuted in November 2022, it was lauded for its funky animated headlights, well-appointed interior, and sleek exterior. Not much has changed since then, including the melanoma-like safety and driver assistance system-related technologies attached at the roofline above the windscreen.

Before we arrived in Sweden, Volvo warned us that we weren’t going to be able to drive the EX90, but that we would be able to experience it riding shotgun on numerous trails and tracks within the testing center.

Among the 17 to choose from, Volvo chose those tracks designated to test for handling, speed and stability, off-road prowess, and comfort as the ride destinations, clearly showing their priorities with the model’s development.

These tracks are not simply smooth paved surfaces. Each has a unique set of tests within it, from duplicating roadways in the U.S., Europe and Scandinavia that present their own set of challenges.

Have you ever ridden over a freeway in Los Angeles? That melodic thump-thump-thump that you could keep time with using a metronome has been replicated at Hällerd as something engineers need to take into consideration as they develop vehicles.

There’s sections of cobblestones, wavy pavement whoops like you’ll find on rural roads worldwide, and steeply banked surfaces with lanes marked so test drivers can track how well a vehicle stays in its lane using a variety of technology, only some of which has been employed in today’s vehicles.

2025 Volvo EX90
The Volvo EX90 electric SUV pictured parked in Sweden.

Buckled into the passenger seat, I spent my afternoon riding alongside Kenneth, a capable engineer who explained every bit of the test to me along the way, calling out speeds and the reasoning for each section of testing as it happened.

With the SUV set for comfort, we started at the handling circuit where whoops were hit at a little over 70 kilometers per hour (45-ish miles per hour) and the car’s weight was immediately apparent, despite the suspension doing everything it could to compensate. However, there was little axial movement.

The SUV’s sound deadening and stabilization efforts proved themselves over the cobbles and rougher sections of road but couldn’t do the heavy lifting as we picked up speed and headed into the corners.

There was no escaping the sheer heft of this SUV. That doesn’t mean that it was incompetent or unable to handle the pressure being placed on it by the driver. In fact, it stuck to the roadway with ease and proved quite nimble.

Switching to a sportier drive mode, the SUV’s dynamics tightened up, It was more easily able to turn into the corners at those higher speeds. However, the lack of seat bolstering became apparent at this point. While the SUV may have been tuned for sportier performance, its passengers were still in their comfort setting.

This made me wonder how it will do traversing the many, many roundabouts in Europe.

2025 Volvo EX90 Sweden Test Drive
A Volvo employee and Newsweek’s Eileen Falkenberg-Hull ride in a new Volvo EX90 at the automaker’s test track in Sweden.

Moving on to the off-road portion, Volvo’s engineers took the car up a hill and around a short trail to simulate what the SUV would be asked to do as Swedes leave the city and head to their summer cottage for a month, week, or weekend of relaxation. It’s perfectly well suited for that level of off-roading.

On the high-speed loop track, the Volvo did as it was designed to do, rapidly accelerating without passing on many G forces to the passengers, while proving stable and serene as we approached maximum speed and stayed there for a while.

It was also easy to keep in the lane at high speeds, even in steeply banked corners.

If there’s one thing that holds true about Volvos, it is that there’s little that is surprising about them. They’re notoriously good at doing their assigned tasks, especially modern ones.

So, it was unsurprising that nothing about the EX90 test drive surprised me. This Volvo is as competent and competitive as the rest of the Volvo lineup. I look forward to my turn behind the wheel in a few months.

What’s The Best Sight You’ve Seen From Your Car?

The greatest thing about a car is that it can take you anywhere. So often, though, we just use them to get to boring destinations — home, work, non-Wegmans grocery stores. Today, we want to honor those special occasions, the times you get to see something truly great through that windshield.

I’ve seen plenty of neat sights from the seats of cars: The Pacific ocean spreading out endlessly from the California canyons, the gorgeous snow of near-arctic Sweden, the trails of Catalina Island. My favorite view, though, isn’t one from the seat of a car — it’s from the seat of a bike.

Image for article titled What's The Best Sight You’ve Seen From Your Car?

Out in Brooklyn, there’s a great little park that’s incredibly frustrating to access with anything other than a car — or a motorcycle. It’s on the western side of the borough, meaning you can watch beautiful sunsets over the water right from the park.

I love to ride out there at the end of the day, occasionally with a dinner on my bike, and just recline on the BMW as the sun slowly dips into the water. It may not be the most breathtaking view in the world — though the Statue of Liberty standing over the water ain’t nothing — but it’s one I can see reliably and comfortably.

That’s my favorite automotive view, but what’s yours? Leave your comments below — bonus points for adding a photo of your own — and we’ll collect our favorites later in the week.

The Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Failed to Snag Caitlin Clark

Sorry fans, Cailtin Clark isn’t driving the Indianapolis 500 pace car. Another celebrity will have to sit behind the wheel.

Caitlin Clark and race cars go together, right? Well, it’s more like Caitlin Clark and basketball, even if she never got a national championship ring. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has to go without this rising WNBA star. See why Caitlin isn’t driving the Indianapolis 500 pace car.

Why isn’t Caitlin Clark driving the Indianapolis 500 pace car?

Unfortunately, fans have to miss out on Caitlin Clark during the Indy 500 because she’s too busy to drive the Indianapolis 500 pace car.

She was recently drafted to the Indiana Fever after completing her college basketball career, and has a game against the Los Vegas Aces the night before the race. Therefore, getting back to Indiana would be an issue.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles shared that she can’t make it because she’s playing ball and that’s where she should be. But eventually, when their schedules match up she will drive a pace car.

Former IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher will drive the pace car during the race instead. Officials are still trying to pick a celebrity to drive the 33-car field to the green.

An Indy 500 pace car leading the race
Indy 500 pace car | Getty Images)

A few contenders include food influencer Keith Lee, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, and former Indianapolis Fever WNBA star, Tamika Catchings.

But if you won’t see Caitlin Clark in the Indianapolis 500 pace car, what does she actually drive? It’s safe to assume that she spends time behind the wheel of a Buick.

She has a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Buick. Buick added her to its “See Her Greatness campaign to raise awareness to inequity coverage of women’s sports.

The campaign was created to increase the visibility of women’s sports, drive equity and inclusion, and create platforms to have women create meaningful conversations.

As a University of South Carolina alum, I need to be Cocky about the Lady Gamecocks. Caitlin Clark isn’t done bringing great things to women’s basketball, but I need to give a shout-out to Dawn Stanley, A’ja Wilson, Kamilla Cardoso, Te-hina PaoPao, and other excellent players.

Volvo EX60 set to arrive as new Tesla Model Y, Porsche Macan luxury electric SUV rival

A new all-electric luxury SUV is set to hit the market next year to compete with Tesla’s best-selling Model Y. Volvo is joining the luxury electric SUV market with its new EX60 launching next year. The new EX60 will rival premium models from Tesla, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

As one of the first legacy automakers to commit to an all-electric future, Volvo is seeing the results.

After launching its most affordable EV, the EX30, last year, Volvo’s compact electric SUV is already making a significant impact on the company.

Volvo set a new sales record in the first three months of the year with growing demand for its electric models. Fully electric vehicles accounted for over 40% of sales in 19 markets. That’s up from 13 in Q4 2023.

According to Volvo Cars’ chief commercial officer and deputy CEO, the EX30 is helping boost sales. Volvo’s EV sales share hit a record 21% in Q1, with 14,500 EX30 models sold. This was enough to top the EC60 (6,000) while inching closer to the EX40 (17,400).

Volvo's-new-EVs-Ferrari-likeVolvo EX30 (Source: Volvo)

Volvo also began production of its first electric minivan, the EM90, for China. Deliveries began in March. Meanwhile, Volvo is preparing to launch its larger EX90, which is already attracting Ferrari-like wait times.

Volvo's-new-EVs-Ferrari-likeVolvo EX90 (Source: Volvo)

Volvo EX60 to launch as the latest luxury electric SUV

Volvo looks to keep the momentum rolling next year with its new EX60 expected to debut as an all-electric replacement to the hybrid XC60 Recharge.

The new EV will compete against premium SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, Porsche Macan EV, and Mercedes-Benz EQC. It will sit between the EX40 and EX90 in Volvo’s expanding EV lineup.

Volvo-Recharge-EVsVolvo EX40 (Source: Volvo)

According to Auto Express, the new Volvo electric SUV will be based on the larger EX90’s platform, which could pack up to 100 kWh of battery power. Erik Severinson, chief product and strategy officer at Volvo Cars, calls it an “evolution of the Volvo-developed platform.”

Volvo’s EX60 is expected to maintain the brand’s new design elements, such as its Thor Hammer LED headlights, closed grille, and alloy wheels.

At least one thing remains a mystery. Volvo did not confirm if the EX60 would include advanced LIDAR like the EX90. However, Severinson said the brand is exploring “different kinds of sensors going forward.”

Volvo-EM90-electric-minivanVolvo’s first electric minivan, the EM90 (source: Volvo)

The EX60 will feature a new “structural” battery pack, similar to BYD and Tesla. The design leads to “improved energy density” and “great driveability.”

According to the report, the EX60 could feature up to 400 miles WLTP range. The EX90, with a 107 kWh battery pack, offers up to 364 miles. However, the EX60 is expected to feature a smaller, lighter battery with improved energy density.

Volvo-EX90-priceVolvo EX90 interior (Source: Volvo)

Volvo is moving to use a megacasted rear underfloor for the EX60, a concept used by Tesla, NIO, XPeng, and others. According to Volvo, the new floor design weighs 15 to 20% less than a traditional stamped equivalent.

The method will also increase storage space while speeding up production times. Volvo is expected to launch the EX60 when megacasting production begins next year.

We could see the Volvo EX60 unveiled by the end of the year, with prices and specs arriving at a later date. Check back for more details soon.

Avoid These First Time Car Buyer Mistakes

Getting your first vehicle is a significant right of passage. This is especially true when you’re responsible for the ground of work before the purchase. However, there are mistakes that a first time car buyer can make that will negatively impact them. Truthfully, some more experienced drivers can make similar mistakes that can make ownership a nightmare.

A common first time car buyer mistake is not researching

Many first time car buyer mistakes can cause issues down the road. However, one of the worst is not doing research beforehand. In fact, some people know they want to buy a vehicle but show up at the dealership and only take the salesperson’s suggestions. According to Lending Tree, about 40 percent of buyers later regret their choice.

Research is necessary so that a first time car buyer can find a car they love, but they can also ensure that it has a history that makes it more likely to be reliable. Besides early maintenance issues with the car, one of the worst things that can happen is to realize you need something else out of a vehicle than what you bargained for. Ultimately, a test drive isn’t enough. Still, this is an important step.

Not shopping around

Another first time car buyer mistake is not shopping around. Instead, they see shiny metal on a dealer lot and decide to give that company their business. However, shopping around for a new vehicle gives buyers much more freedom because the vehicle they want could be priced differently at a different lot. It’s also important to investigate the history of any car lot you’re considering.

A first time car buyer might get a car that’s too expensive

A first time buyer could easily make the mistake of getting a vehicle priced beyond their budget. This is because they can negotiate lower monthly payments to, in their mind, offset the price tag. However, expensive vehicles have pricey requirements that many first time buyers can’t afford. This is especially true for people who get luxury cars before they’re financially ready.

This is also why research is necessary. There are some expensive but unreliable cars on the market. So, getting a long contract on an expensive vehicle with poor reliability ratings could be a significant mistake. Of course, the first time car buyer also needs to understand fuel costs and the economy their vehicle of choice grants.

Not considering used cars

Many first time car buyers who have a decent income don’t consider used cars. This is because some inexperienced buyers look down on even the best used cars. However, there are many solid options that people have people have owned previously. In fact, buying a certified pre-owned model offers some of the peace of mind that new car buyers have.

Overall, getting a new car is an exciting endeavor. However, people need to do research, know what they want, and perhaps most importantly, don’t buy a vehicle based solely on how it looks or drives. There’s much more to the process than this.

Tragic Discovery on Cullen Boulevard: Investigation Launched After Man Found Beneath Vehicle

Distressing Incident Rouses Houston Early Morning

In the early hours of Sunday on Cullen Boulevard, Houston, a 43-year-old man was tragically discovered lifeless under an SUV. This alarming find occurred at approximately 4:40 a.m., prompting swift intervention from the city’s police and emergency services. This has initiated a thorough investigation to uncover how this unfortunate death came about.

Exhaustive Probe by Houston Police

Efforts to identify the deceased are underway by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. According to Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division, led by Sergeants A. Lopez and Detective N. Sharp, the event seems linked to a car accident. After the incident, a 44-year-old female driver was interrogated and later released, which adds complexity to the ongoing investigation.


Urgent Request for Community Input in Investigation

The exact circumstances of the man’s demise are still uncertain, with results from the forthcoming autopsy highly anticipated. The Houston Police remain open to insights without conjecture as to whether this was a mishap or involved criminal activity. They have requested anyone with knowledge concerning this distressing occurrence to reach out to the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600. As the probe continues, community involvement is vital for solving this mystery and ensuring the safety and peace of the local populace.

Investigation Underway After Man Found Deceased Under SUV in Houston

Mysterious Death on Cullen Boulevard

A somber scene unfolded in Houston early Sunday morning as a 43-year-old man was found deceased beneath an SUV on Cullen Boulevard. The discovery, made at approximately 4:40 a.m., prompted an immediate response from the Houston Police and emergency services. The area became a focus of intense investigative activity as authorities began to piece together the events leading to the tragic incident.

Details of the Incident and Initial Response

The incident, initially reported as a vehicle crash in the 13300 block of Cullen Boulevard, is under thorough investigation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division. Detectives A. Lopez and N. Sharp are leading the inquiry. A 44-year-old female driver involved in the incident was detained for questioning and later released at the scene, adding layers of complexity to the ongoing probe.


Call for Witnesses and Ongoing Investigation

With many questions still unanswered, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause. The situation remains shrouded in mystery, with no clear indications yet whether the incident was an accident or involved foul play. Houston Police encourage anyone with information to step forward and contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600, as community cooperation could prove pivotal in shedding light on this unsettling event.

Scout Will Reveal Two EVs This Summer. What Do You Want To See?

The VW Group subsidiary will soon give us the first glimpse of its retro-modern electric SUV and pickup truck.

2026 is on track to be a monumental year for electric vehicles. Carmakers have promised to deliver several new EVs built on dedicated platforms and the year would also mark the revival of Scout Motors, the iconic American truck brand resurrected by parent company Volkswagen Group last year.

We’ve known for a while that Scout’s initial offerings would include an electric pickup truck and an SUV. Now, the brand says a reveal is due in late summer 2024. The two EVs will be developed ground-up on dedicated platforms, bearing little resemblance to other VW Group EVs.

VW-backed Scout Motors makes a comeback.

The Volkswagen Group is the world’s second-largest automaker by sales volumes. Its subsidiaries include several acclaimed brands like Audi, Porsche and Bentley, among others. However, it doesn’t own a brand that offers what Americans traditionally love: ginormous pickups and SUVs. With Scout Motors, VW aims to fill that gap with electric-only 4X4s.

They would be built for American audiences that love big, bulky SUVs and trucks and also reflect the brand’s heritage dating back to the 1960-1980 period when it was part of heavy equipment manufacturer International Harvester.

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After poor sales and low profits in the 1980s, International Harvester sold its agricultural division to Case Corporation, which renamed itself Navistar. In 2021, Navistar was acquired by commercial vehicle manufacturer Traton, thus becoming part of the VW Group.

The German carmaker then acquired the Scout trademark. InsideEVs was invited to VW Group’s factory groundbreaking ceremony in Blythewood, South Carolina, in February. VW Group is investing some $2 billion to build a plant for U.S.-focused Scout EVs.

As competition heats up in the electric SUV and pickup segments, Scout has to make its models stand out. Scout’s President and CEO, Scott Keogh, confirmed during the groundbreaking event that it plans to do that by offering physical buttons.

Automakers are now heavily investing in integrating vehicle functions and in-car entertainment features such as gaming and streaming into massive screens. Cost savings are a big reason for this trend. But for an off-road-focused vehicle, that might not be ideal, and Scout seems fully aware of that.

That’s pretty much all we know about the Scout EVs so far. But there’s certainly more to come. The brand has been on a hiring spree since last year, with hundreds of engineers working from the new Scout Innovation Center in Novi, Michigan, to bring the EVs to life.