Pair of Mustang Mach-Es Drop By Jay Leno’s Garage
Jay Leno is arguably the world’s most famous car, and the Mustang Mach-E has gotten his seal of approval.
When you’re Jay Leno, you don’t have to prove your car-guy cred to anyone. Because while the longtime Tonight Show host might not be a funny as, say, Conan O’Brien, his collection of cars is hard to beat. From unicorns like the Bugatti Type 57 S to the McLaren F1, to muscle machines like the 1969 Mustang Boss 429, to eastern oddities like the Tatra 77, his famous garage is essentially a survey course in the coolest — and weirdest — vehicles in automotive history. Plus, unlike a lot of other collectors, he actually drives them, which makes him extra cool.
But while Leno might appreciate the smell of a carb running rich, he’s equally fascinated with forward-looking machines, like the all-electric Mustang Mach-E.
In this episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley stops by to show off both the production version of the futuristic pony, and a 1400-horsepower tire-slaying monster which should spark the interest of any proper gearhead. Seriously, while the weapons-grade machine might sound like the a giant radio-controlled car? I happen to find the noise kind of cool. And honestly, it wasn’t all that long ago that manufacturers started tuning ECU’s to add some snap, crackle, and pop to their exhausts. So tastes clearly change over time — and you can’t really argue with the plumes of tire smoke!
For folks who have been following the development of the Mach-E, there are plenty of stats — 300-mile range, four-wheel drive, more torque than a Bullitt — that are going to sounds familiar. But in addition to taking a much-deserved swipe at some Corvette fans, Lenoi’s conversation with Farley about the genesis and impact of the Mach-E goes in a direction I didn’t expect. And while it still sounds familiar? The reasons why have nothing to do with the Blue Oval.
At one point, Farley says that the Mach-E is the answer to Mustang fans looking for more space, and that electric vehicles are the reason that Ford will be able to continue to build the V8 Mustang GT. Since I’m old enough to remember the debut of the Porsche Cayenne, this gave me a bit of déjà vu, because that’s very similar to the argument we heard from Stuttgart when enthusiasts were livid at the idea of the company making an SUV.
Basically, the line from Porsche was that in polling their fans, they found owners’ second car was often an SUV, and in the years since its debut, executives have often stated that the success of the extra-large P-car is the reason it can continue to offer approximately 350 versions of the iconic 911. It makes sense, as a company can’t really afford to build niche sports cars when it’s broke.
Now, given that Leno owns boundary-pushing vehicles like the Doble E-20 Steam Car, the Chrysler Turbine Car, and the Aptera 2 Series, it’s not a huge surprise that he’d be interested in something like the Mach-E. Automotive history is jam packed with fascinating stories about inspired dreamers who wanted to go their own way, and the more you learn about their creations, the more you’ll wonder about what the world would be like if the push toward electric cars had started a century ago.
So check out the video below, but afterward, make sure to circle back on some of the alternative-fuel vehicles Leno has in his garage. Seriously, did you know he has a whole “steam room?” Because going down that rabbit hole will likely make you appreciate exactly what an achievement the Blue Oval’s latest electric vehicle is — and just how much potential these green machines have. Enjoy!
Photos: YouTube
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