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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT owners can make their cars quicker with a few taps of their phone and a one-time charge.

On Tuesday, Ford announced a Performance Upgrade for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT that increases torque and drops the electric crossover’s 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times. The performance boost costs $995 plus tax.

The Performance Upgrade increases the Mach-E GT’s torque rating by 100 lb-ft, which takes output from 600 to 700 lb-ft. Horsepower remains unchanged at 480.

The increase in torque and recalibration subsequently drops the Mach-E GT’s quarter-mile time of 12.4 seconds and 0-60 mph sprint of 3.8 seconds down to 11.8 seconds and 3.3 seconds, respectively, according to Ford.

Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari told Green Car Reports the update is only available for the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.

The GT Performance Edition, which used to sit above the Mach-E GT in the lineup, had 634 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The GT Performance Edition was discontinued after 2023.

The added torque comes standard on the Mach-E Rally.

The Performance Upgrade can be optioned when buying the Mach-E GT, but current owners can now buy the package via the FordPass smartphone app. Upon purchase the update will automatically unlock the increased performance for the EV “within minutes,” according to Ford.

Ford upgraded the Mustang Mach-E lineup for 2024 with faster charging and more range on some trims. The 2024 Mach-E GT gained 10 miles of EPA-rated range for a total of 280 miles.

A new in-house-designed motor and thermal changes were swapped in for 2024 as well.

Ford said the 2024 Mach-E fast-charges from 10-80% in 36.2 minutes, which is 8.8 minutes quicker than when the Mach-E launched.

• Mercedes could have a Tesla Model Y competitor in 2026
• Production will reportedly begin in October 2025
• The compact crossover will replace the EQB EV in the lineup

Mercedes-Benz may be prepping an electric version of its upcoming CLA-Class sedan, along with a related crossover SUV.

On Tuesday, Automotive News reported that an electric version of the Mercedes-Benz CLA four-door sedan will enter production. A crossover based on the electric CLA might follow the sedan and arrive in the first half of 2026.

AutoForecast Solutions has said production of this electric CLA-based crossover, which is being viewed as a direct shot at the Tesla Model Y, is expected to begin in Rastatt, Germany in October 2025.

The Model Y-fighting Mercedes carries an internal codename of X174. Mercedes won’t speak to future product plans.

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz previewed the upcoming electric CLA coupe in 2023 with the Concept CLA-Class. The concept was meant to show off the engineering of Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), which is to serve as the base for four compact EVs in multiple body styles. One will be the rakish four-door sedan while another will be the compact crossover bearing the codename X174.

The crossover would likely replace the current EQB EV crossover, which is an EV based on today’s gas-powered GLB. AutoForecast Solutions Vice President Sam Fiorani told Automotive News the EQB, which launched in 2022, will not be replaced when production ends in late 2025.

The MMA platform features an 800-volt electrical architecture that is said to enable DC fast charging at up to 250 kw, which would recover up to 248 miles of range in 15 minutes. The electrical architecture also includes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capability.

Mercedes touted that the MMA platform was designed around a “remarkably small” battery pack with multiple chemistries. Base models will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry while upper-end models will use an anode made with silicon oxide. The pack design is said to be lighter weight than today’s batteries and provide greater structural stiffness for the vehicle.

Mercedes developed an EQXX concept that went 746 miles on a single charge in 2022. The focus of that car was all about efficiency. The Concept CLA was said to use the silicon-carbide power electronics, battery-cell packaging, and heat pump all derived from the EQXX.

In February Mercedes delayed its EV sales targets that would’ve had the automaker going all-electric in some markets by 2030. Automotive News said a new gas-powered CLA will arrive in 2026 after the EV model. The gas and electric CLAs will reportedly share similar styling and both ride on the new MMA platform.

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• The City of South Pasadena’s police fleet is going all electric
• The fleet will consist of 20 EVs with 10 Tesla Model Ys and 10 Model 3s
• The project will cost the city $1.85 million

Even cop cars are going electric.

On Monday, the South Pasadena Police Department in California announced it’s the first police fleet in the U.S. to go all electric.

The department will completely replace its gas-powered vehicles with EVs.

South Pasadena electric Tesla police cars – Photo via City of South Pasadena Facebook fan page

A fleet of 20 Teslas will become the departments latest cop cars. The department will acquire 10 Tesla Model Ys as patrol vehicles and 10 Model 3s for detective and administrative duties. Photos of the electric police cars were posted to Facebook by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and reshared to the City of South Pasadena’s fan page.

UP.FIT, a division of Tesla tuning house Unplugged Performance, will up-fit the Teslas for patrol and administrative police duty.

Tesla Cybertruck Next-Gen Patrol by UP.FIT

The news from Pasadena comes just after the Irvine Police Department announced it will soon take delivery of a Tesla Cybertruck, which will also be uplifted for police duty by UP.FIT.

A bank of 34 electric chargers were installed at South Pasadena City Hall to ensure the cars are charged. More chargers are planned for the the police station, fire station, and it will all be backed up by a solar-powered system with battery storage to ensure power delivery during power outages.

“This transition reflects the city’s vision of a sustainable future based on both sound fiscal management and environmental stewardship,” said South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer. 

Zneimer said the city’s city council is behind the decision to have a “21st century police force.” 

South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky said, “switching to these vehicles offers the police department the opportunity to acquire a cutting-edge vehicle fleet.”

City staff expect the transition to save about $4,000 per vehicle on energy costs, with more savings on vehicle maintenance. The EV fleet is expected to be at least half the per-mile cost of the gas-powered cars used today.

Over half the funding for the project is coming from partners. Clean Transportation Funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee will contribute nearly $500,000 to the program. Approximately $530,0000 in work will be covered by Southern California Edison under the Charge Ready program. Clean Power Alliance’s Power Ready Program is providing no-cost solar and battery storage systems. The city said its net expense for the project will be $1.85 million, which includes the cost of the EV chargers and lease payments for the Teslas.

Historically police departments have wanted to electrify their fleets but noted there are few vehicle options to do so. Most cited cost being the major issue.