Ford recently made a huge splash by naming their innovative, electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E. This sent Mustang fans into a frenzy, as many wondered how could Ford name an SUV, an electric SUV at that with the iconic name. Since 1964, Mustang has been synonymous with a two door, rear wheel drive, pony car. The engines have varied from four cylinder to eight cylinder, naturally aspirated, to turbo or supercharged, but it has always had a gasoline engine.

According to Ford press release, the 2021 Ford Mach-E is capable of mid 3 seconds 0-60 times in GT trip. It is available in rear and all wheel drive with a range of up to 300 miles in more economical packages. This is an impressive vehicle with numbers that rival the Tesla Model X, but is it a Mustang?

This isn’t the first time a manufacturer has named an SUV after a popular coupe. Mitsubishi produced the Eclipse, a sensational sports coupe, from 1990 to 2012. At its peak, it was available as an all wheel drive, turbo four cylinder coupe or convertible. In 2019, Mitsubishi brought the name back for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV.

Dodge has referred to the Durango SRT as a “seven seat Charger,” but luckily they left it as an inference and not a name plate.

I may be showing my age, but I remember the confusion that General Motors caused by giving a minivan the same name as mid size sedan in their lineup of the time. I’m talking about the Chevy Lumina and Lumina APV. The Chevrolet Lumina APV was sold between 1990-1996. The Lumina coupe and sedan was sold between 1990-2001.

I hope this is not a trend to come. The Mustang Mach-E is undeniably a great innovation and I hope it will lead Ford into the future. I just don’t think it’s a Mustang.