Ford Gives The 2026 Mustang Mach-E The California Special Treatment
The California Special package—first introduced in 1968 as a limited-edition appearance trim—has been a recurring part of the Mustang story for decades.
Key Points
- Ford is discontinuing the gas-powered Mustang’s California Special package for 2026 and introducing it instead on the all-electric Mustang Mach-E GT.
- The $2,495 California Special package adds exclusive “Rave Blue” accents, subtle GT/CS badging, a blue-over-black hood stripe, and interior detailing—without altering the Mach-E GT’s 480-hp dual-motor performance setup.
- Orders for the 2026 Mustang Mach-E GT California Special open October 22, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2026.
2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT California Special: All The Details
For 2026, the package won’t be available on the gas-powered coupe—instead, it’s crossing over to Ford’s all-electric performance SUV as the new 2026 Mustang Mach-E GT California Special.
The new Mach-E GT version introduces a new “Rave Blue” accent color applied to the pony badge on the grille, the rear GT emblem, and subtle wheel details. Ford says the wide, single hood stripe—finished in blue over a black background—draws inspiration from California’s coastline.
The same new blue hue also appears inside, accenting silver trim pieces along with an embossed GT/CS logo on the center armrest. Ford kept the branding understated, with the low-key GT/CS script appearing only on the 20-inch gray wheels—it’s a quieter take on a historically subtle package.
Underneath the cosmetic touches, the California Special is a standard Mach-E GT. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup produces 480 horsepower and more than 700 lb-ft of torque. Power comes from a 91-kWh battery pack, good for roughly 280 miles of range. Ford claims a 0–60 mph time of about 3.5 seconds, which the automaker says makes this the quickest California Special it has ever built—a rather annoying bit of semantics.
The package will be offered exclusively on the GT trim for $2,495, bringing the Mach-E GT California Special’s starting price to $55,890, including destination. Order books open October 22, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2026.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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Car manufacturers are going to go bankrupt the American people don’t want battery powered cars We want gas powered V8 cars and trucks with horsepower that can still tow heavy loads. EVs have no resale value at all no one wants them and there to expensive to fix.