The latest addition to the Ford Mustang stable, the forthcoming pure-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E has a lot to prove.

Yet however the Mach-E goes about proving itself, it won't be in motorsport competition - at least not for the foreseeable future. Asked about the prospect of racing the new Mach-E, Dave Pericak, Director of Enterprise Product Line Management for Ford's "icon" models and formerly the chief in charge of the automaker's performance division, said "not anytime soon" would Ford race the Mach-E.

The Mustang, of course, has a long history in motorsport competition, currently serving as the face of Ford's top-spec NASCAR stock car racing efforts, and campaigning sports car racing series like the Michelin Pilot Challenge and Australia's Supercars Championship.

Of course, those motorsport efforts are all powered by internal combustion; the new Ford Mustang Mach-E has the unique problem of only offering a battery-electric powertrain, which narrows the range of available racing options substantially. But pure-electric vehicles already routinely compete in hillclimbs alongside their petrol-burning counterparts, and the FIA World Rallycross Championship is scheduled to start allowing electric powertrains in 2021.

Even more promising, an Electric Touring Cars Racing series is in the works, with four races planned for 2020 before its inaugural full season in 2021. Hyundai, Alfa Romeo, and SEAT performance brand CUPRA have all signed on; the Ford Mustang Mach-E would fit right in with those other entrants.

But that's not in the cards - at least not for the time being - as Ford focuses its attention on executing a smooth, successful launch for the production Mach-E later this year. In fact, given the Mach-E's target niche - Mustang fans yearning for something roomy, practical, and inexpensive to operate - we wouldn't be surprised if a motorsport effort never materialized.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is expected to start deliveries in small numbers later this year ahead of a full launch sometime in 2021.