Ford May Offer 10-speed Mustang, Maybe With Mach 1 Name
Ford’s plans for the Mustang may include their 10-speed automatic transmission, jointly developed with General Motors, and a Mach 1 version, according to Automotive News (via Motor Authority).
The amazingly engineered 10-speed, which will make an appearance on the new Ford F-150 Raptor, may be mated to Ford’s four-cylinder EcoBoost engine in the Mustang in the U.S. — and only in the Mustang — which feels weird.
But Mach 1(!)
The report is fairly sketchy on whether Ford will revive the nameplate from the 1970s (and early 2000s, I guess) for this generation. According to the story, the Mach 1 may not arrive until 2018, which would be one to two years before the Mustang would be due for a major update.
It’s unclear what engine Ford may stuff into the future Mach 1. Every version up until now has included a V-8 strapped under the hood, but Ford’s upcoming GT hypercar will have a twin-turbocharged V-6, so things have clearly changed.
Any mention of the Mach 1 probably brings up more memories of this than this, so it could be a good move to help move more Mustangs toward the end of its lifecycle. But for now, I guess we’ll just have to deal with our flat-plane V-8 noises from the GT350.
More by Aaron Cole
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I liked the early 2000's Mach 1 with, at that time, the highest, naturally aspirated HP motor ever offered in a Stang, and the resurgence of the fabulous to watch Shaker Hood. Ford was genius, being clever in the long-in-the-tooth SN-97 body style still riding on a '79 Fairmont chassis, by offering the special edition models like the Mach 1, Bullit, and my personal fav the IRS supercharged '03-'04 SVT Cobra, to keep sales rolling and interest in the brand. Be great to see a new Mach 1 though not sure how Ford's gonna get the Shaker to groove with a twin-turboed six.
I didn't know until now this 10 speed was for RWD applications. Had always assumed it was for front drive based vehicles. Which makes me ask... Does ford have anything coming soon for these FWD cars beyond 6 gears?
Would it EVER stop shifting? I test drove a car with the ZF 8-speed, and it drove me NUTS. (Thanks for the CAPS, Big Al. If I'd known they upset some, I would have started using them MUCH sooner!)
Never buy an all new transmission from Ford the first year...I mean decade.