Ford Patents Hybridized V8, Could Offer Glimpse Into Future Product
Ford is currently on the road to electrification. Right now, the manufacturer is working on an electric crossover based on the Mustang and a new hybrid powertrain. But it hasn’t been particularly forthcoming when it comes to sharing its industry secrets with the public.
Fortunately, an application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office could give us a glimpse into what Ford’s cooking up. While technically filed in July of 2018, the document was officially published just last week and quickly located by the patent-sniffing dogs from our sister site, AutoGuide, showcasing a “twin motor drive system” for hybrid vehicles. The accompanying diagram clearly shows the system mated to a V8, but the filing seems to suggest that the setup could operate with any engine that’s mounted longitudinally.
Unfortunately, the document is rather vague. The abstract indicates that (in one version of the system) the internal combustion engine would be responsible for driving the rear axle while an electric motor would be responsible for the front. But doesn’t go in to much detail beyond that.
From the USPTO:
Methods and systems are provided for a hybrid electric vehicle including a front-wheel drive system and a rear-wheel drive system. In one example, the rear-wheel drive system includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, and the front wheel drive system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine. The first electric motor is coupled to a first reduction gearbox to drive a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the second electric motor is coupled to a second reduction gearbox to drive a second front wheel of the vehicle.
That said, there’s no guarantee that this is the system Ford will be running with. And, even if it was, we don’t know where it will be going. While the company has confirmed an electrified F-Series, which could use a hybridized V8, there’s been no such claim made for the Mustang — just a lot of speculation and subtle hints from the automaker. However, with Fiat Chrysler continuing to drop knowledge that the Challenger and Charger will probably offer hybridized power for their next generation, it would make sense that The Blue Oval would try the same thing with the Mustang or perhaps the upcoming crossover it has inspired.
Every automaker seems to be thinking about how to better incorporate electricity and all-wheel drive into its product line these days. As a result, it isn’t a stretch to imagine this patent eventually materializing at Ford’s factories. Though, we would advise you not to get overly hung up on the number of cylinders until the manufacturer says otherwise.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Ford already has the 319hp 3.3L conventional hybrid and a 450hp 3.0T PHEV setups going into their new CUVs. It would not surprise me to see either (or both) of those finding their way into the Mustang and/or F-Series in the next three years. A V8 hyrbid like this would likely replace the 5.0L across the board. On the plus side, this might mean more V8 vehicles options from Ford.
Patents: congratulation, you now have another one that you can cross license with your competitor. Just because you patent it doesn't mean you have to build it or it is going to be cost effective. I had a patent too, and by the time the patent lawyer finished working on it, I couldn't recognize what I did. It is meant to be as ambiguous as possible so it cover as much scope as possible, and can be used to sue as many people as possible.