QOTD: Hybrid Mustang, or Real V8 Power?

by Steph Willems

Published: January 3rd, 2017

qotd hybrid mustang or em real em v8 power

So, Ford’s press conference earlier today took a cluster bomb approach to the act of doling out news. Are you ready for a hybrid F-150? Will Chevrolet film a commercial showing how easy it is to pierce the battery pack with a toolbox?

Never mind that for now — it’s the looming hybrid Mustang that’s the real shocker, though perhaps it shouldn’t be. We’re all pretty certain that the V6 ‘Stang is a dead pony walking (trotting?), and that 2017 will be the 3.7-liter’s last go-around. That leaves a big gap between the 2.3-liter EcoBoost and the 5.0-liter Coyote, which Ford will soon swap for a 4.8-liter unit with gobs of refinement.

Mark Fields wasn’t dishing too many details this morning, but he did make it pretty clear that the mid-range power choice in future Mustangs will be a hybrid setup with “V8 levels of power,” starting in 2020. Undoubtedly, you’ll find a four-cylinder engine married to that battery pack and electric motor.

We’re left to assume this hybrid drivetrain’s power output will come close to the current Coyote’s maximum 435 horsepower, perhaps even surpassing its 400 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor puts down maximum twist from a standstill, so a hybrid drivetrain should launch the future ‘Stang in a respectable fashion before the four takes over, leaving all the messy tire smoke and rubber residue for the eco-unfriendly to enjoy.

The question is: how does the prospect of a hybrid Mustang sound to you? Is V8-like power with stingier fuel consumption a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too proposition, or does an electrified pony strike you as sacrilege?

Would Steve McQueen drive one, or would his turtleneck curl at the sight of it? Let us know your feelings, B&B.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

#FordMustang #FutureModels #ProductPlanning #QOTD #QuestionOfTheDay

Steph Willems

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4 of 113 comments

Fincar1 on Jan 04, 2017

It seems clear that hybrid fleet vehicles - including cop cars - are a good idea. It'll take some time for that to happen. As for hybrid Mustangs, I'm glad I got the 6-speed GT. But then I'm an old guy. Maybe the future for Mustangs will be all hybrids and eco-boost cars that make a sound like a big vacuum cleaner when they take off from a stoplight. We'll see.... You might think about a base Mustang GT for the Ace of Base series....

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Tjh8402 on Jan 05, 2017

As I said in the discussion about all the new hybrids, the Mustang model I would want to see is a base model with better fuel economy than any of the rest. There aren't any affordable rwd cars that get particularly good fuel economy, so a Mustang hybrid with 200-250 hp from say the 1.6 or 2.0 4 cylinders then boosted by the hybrid to 250-300 and able to average 30-35 mpg combined would be a nice addition.

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- Sportyaccordy on Jan 05, 2017
  
  The Miata wants to have a chat with you. And with the Ecoboost Mustang checking in at 3500lbs, any hope for decent fuel economy out of it is a pipe dream.
  
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- Tjh8402 on Jan 05, 2017
  
  @sportyaccordy I love the Miata but it isn't nearly big enough; I should've clarified that. The Mustang's seats are tight, but they can be useful in a pinch, whereas they are non existent on the Miata. The Miata's 4.6 cubic foot trunk is uselessly small. My Abarth has 9.5 cubic feet with the seats up and that's not enough for a grocery run to Costco. It spends 99% of the time with its rear seats folded. It essentially functions for me as an extra practical two seat car with back seats available for the few times a year I actually need them. The Mustangs 13.5 cubic ft trunk is about the same as a small or midsize sedan, and nearly 3x that of the Miata, never mind having the back seat available for stuff as well as well. I really wish Mazda or Fiat would do a breadvan version of the Miata or 124 with something like my Abarths 30 cubic feet of seats folded cargo space (which I regularly use all of), or that the Toyobaru had been available with a hatchback. As far as possible numbers, the 2.3 EB is already rated at 21/30/24. The BMW 430i is also a 3500 lb coupe, and with a six speed manual, already rated at 21/33/25. Downsizing the Mustang to the 1.6t or 2.0t and adding the hybrid components should at least make a 30-31 combined rating possible.
  
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