Next-gen Mustang to get V8 plus electric power?

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

A new report from Autocar UK has surfaced claiming Ford is working on a hybrid, all-wheel drive monster to spearhead the next generation of Mustang.

Ford confirmed back in 2017 that it would launch an electrified Mustang this year but those plans were pushed back to coincide with the next-gen model as well as allowing the Mach-E electric SUV to debut sooner.

The hybrid Mustang will use a 'twin-motor drive system,' according to a U.S. patent filing, working in tandem with a V8 engine. The motors would power the front wheels, 'mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine,' while the V8 donk would motivate the rear wheels.

Ford could use Mach-e knowhow to create a hybrid, all-wheel drive flagship for the next generation of Mustang.

This will help save fuel while also improving performance. A similar set-up is seen in the North American Ford Explorer Hybrid, which lends credence to the report as the next Mustang will be based on the same CD6 platform as the Explorer.

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Ford teased this back in 2018. Could it be the front of the new 'Stang? We hope so because that looks goooood.

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So, given the choice, would you take the combustion-only purist option or go for the ultimate in performance and emissions with a hybrid?

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Ford will likely use knowledge gained from the Mach-E in the electrified Mustang to further boost performance. This could include sophisticated torque vectoring technology.

It'll be interesting to see if the hybrid systems trickle down to lesser Mustangs, like the turbocharged Ecoboost version. We would imagine it would be a matter of money as opposed to packaging issues.

A hybrid Ecoboost could be a great affordable option, as well as giving Ford a powertrain for the recently deceased next-gen Focus RS.

Alternatively, give the GT500 the hybrid gubbins and create a 745kW beast to take on the rumoured top-tier hybrid Corvette.

As for the design of the next Mustang, we don't think Ford will radically change the look, instead opting for a gentle, modernist evolution. Electrified models could get a different pony badge to signal the different powertrain as well as other subtle bodywork tweaks.

Autocar UK reckons the infotainment and driver assistance systems from the Mach-E will appear in the next Mustang while the interior of the sports car will be more driver-focused than the spacious SUV.

So, given the choice, would you opt for a combustion-only purist Mustang or a tech-heavy hybrid with more power and less emissions?