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Ford's CEO dismisses the idea of an electric Mustang Coupe and embraces the notion of a hybrid

The V8 is the heart and soul of the Ford Mustang, and Ford CEO Jim Farley is adamant about keeping it alive for as long as possible.

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Ford Mustang

The future of iconic American muscle cars appears uncertain as the automotive landscape undergoes a transformation. The Chevrolet Camaro is poised to fade into obscurity, its destiny shrouded in uncertainty. Simultaneously, the current iteration of the Dodge Challenger is preparing to exit the stage, and upon its return, the traditional gasoline engine might be noticeably absent under its hood. 

In a curious turn of events, the Ford Mustang stands as the sole survivor of Detroit's pony cars for the second time in its storied history. Yet, despite the industry's shifting tide towards electric power, internal combustion engines seem poised to endure for the foreseeable future, at least to some extent.

This narrative emerges from a recent interview by Bloomberg with Ford's CEO, Jim Farley. Following the unveiling of the audacious Ford Mustang GTD, the discussion naturally drifted towards the possibility of a fully electric Mustang, distinct from the existing Mach-E variant. Drawing a parallel to Porsche's decision not to produce an all-electric 911, Bloomberg inquired whether Ford held a similar perspective on preserving the essence of the traditional two-door Mustang. While Farley acknowledged that this would be a substantial topic for deliberation with Bill Ford and other top executives, he shared an intriguing vision for the upcoming decade—a period spanning both the ongoing and next-generation Mustang iterations.

Farley's words, as reported by Bloomberg, revealed, "So when you say, could it be a fully electric Mustang coupe? Nah, probably not. But could there be a partially electrified Mustang coupe – and it be world-class? Yeah."

Naturally, attempts were made to glean further insights from Ford on this tantalizing revelation. Regrettably, a spokesperson from the company opted not to provide any commentary on speculation related to future product developments.

Ford Mustang V8

The notion of an electrified Mustang coupe, whether in the form of a hybrid or a complete EV, is hardly novel. In fact, Ford has already ventured into the realm of battery-electric prototypes. Among these is the Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800, an astonishing drag racing machine boasting a prodigious 1,800 hp and a rear-wheel-drive configuration. This beastly creation follows in the footsteps of the Cobra Jet 1400 from the preceding year. Going back even further to 2019, the Mustang Lithium EV made its debut at SEMA—a street-ready Mustang flaunting a single-motor powertrain that dispatched 900 hp through a six-speed manual transmission.

For the time being, the Ford Mustang remains steadfastly anchored to internal combustion technology. As if to underscore this commitment, the company recently revealed the GTD, the most potent and expensive production Mustang in its history. A road-legal iteration of the Mustang GT3 race car, the GTD boasts a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with an exhilarating 7,500-rpm redline, churning out over 800 hp. The power delivery is channeled to a new rear-mounted transaxle, contributing to an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Complementing this is a novel pushrod suspension system. Given its exclusivity, production of the GTD will be markedly limited, with potential buyers required to adhere to a selection process similar to that of the Ford GT. Those fortunate enough to be chosen must be prepared to part with at least $300,000 or P17,000,000 Stateside.

In essence, the American muscle car trinity—Camaro, Challenger, and Mustang—is navigating a transformative era. The Camaro's fate teeters on uncertainty, while the Challenger is on the cusp of reimagining its power source. The Mustang, with its enduring legacy, is poised to shepherd in a new era of partially electrified performance. Amid this transition, gasoline-powered engines persist, but the Ford Mustang's future is an electrifying blend of tradition and innovation.

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