Ford gave the company's first electric SUV a performance upgrade that would beat the V8 Mustang GT in the sprint to 60 mph. But that speed spike comes at a hefty price.

The new Mustang Mach-E GT and Mach-E GT Performance Edition jump from the Mustang Mach-E's 346 hp to 480 hp. This means that both Mach-E GT models are 20 hp more than the gasoline-guzzling Mustang GT.

From the moment the pedal is depressed, the Mach-E GT produces 600 lb-ft of torque, while the GT Performance Edition produces 643 lb-ft, and that power is delivered to all four wheels.

In other words, the Mach-E GT goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, while the Mach-E GT Performance Edition does so in 3.5 seconds. In contrast, the V8 Mustang GT, at 420 lb-ft, takes about 4.5 seconds from start to 60 mph.

But this electric crossover power comes at a price. The Mustang Mach E GT and GT Performance models start at $59,900 and $64,900, respectively. This is about $24,000 more than the V8 Mustang GT.

Furthermore, Mustang purists may argue that despite the performance-oriented features of the new Mach-E models, they are not true Mustang cars. After all, the growl of a pair of high-speed electric motors is nothing compared to the roar of a V8 engine in terms of sending shivers down the driver's spine.

The Mustang has evolved since its 1964 debut, but it remains a muscle car meant to go fast in a straight line and does not seem to be trying to emulate the sharpness of a sports car like the Porsche 911.

However, the Mustang Mach E is more of a Tesla competitor than an evolution of the Mustang car. Its closest competitor is the Tesla Model Y performance model, a crossover with about 450 horsepower that can reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Starting at about $60,000, the Model Y Performance seems poised to go head-to-head with the Mach E, at least in the US.

The Model Y seems to have the edge when it comes to range, capable of running more than 300 miles on a single charge. The Mach-E GT and GT Performance Edition are expected to get 250 and 235 miles per charge, respectively.

However, the Mach-E GT model is tuned for more performance-focused handling. This includes a circuit-centric "Unbridled Extend" driving mode, designed to extract maximum power from the motor while getting more laps from the 88 kWh battery pack.

The Mustang Mach E appears to be more gentle on California roads than the Tesla Model Y. The Mach E may not be the Mustang of old, but it appears to be able to leave long tire tracks on the pavement.

Orders for the Mustang Mach E GT and GT Performance Edition will be taken on April 28, with delivery scheduled for this fall.

Whether these cars will be the cards that preserve the Mustang's legacy and further its electrification remains an open question. However, if Ford can deliver a dynamic driving experience without consuming a lot of gasoline, I expect the sun will never set on the Mustang.