The squeaky wheel gets the grease, or at least gets the manual transmission. I reported recently about a Change.Org petition started by a Ford Bronco enthusiast asking Ford to include the 7-speed manual transmission with the off-road Sasquatch package.
Ford must’ve listened to the more than 11,000 people who signed that transmission petition because according to a source at Ford, the company has done an about face and will offer the seven-speed manual with the Sasquatch package. The Squatch package (as I like to call it) will be one of the most popular package additions for consumers and this breaking news will surely be well received by the Bronco enthusiasts.
And as we know, the orders for the Ford Bronco and the Bronco Sport have been impressive. So, kudos to Ford for listening to the consumer. It got me thinking about other petitions that have been done, as well as other things we could maybe ask Ford for, as they approach the turnover of the 2020 model year and look toward the 2021 model year and beyond.
Indeed, these next couple of years are set to be transformative ones for the Blue Oval. Now, let’s look at a couple other “petitions” we ask of Ford.
#NotAMustang – The Mustang Mach-E
At the beginning of this year (pre-pandemic) I was pretty up in arms over the use of the name of Mustang on Ford’s Mach-E, all-electric crossover. Of course after some perspective, there's more important things going on.
I was never opposed to an all-electric Mustang. No, in fact I think one of those would be awesome, as we’ve seen with the Cobra Jet 1400.
What I take great offense at, and still have not changed my opinion about, is that the Mustang name should not be used on a crossover. It bastardizes the most iconic badge Ford has. The Mustang is the longest consecutive running nameplate in the auto industry.
It’s important to so many enthusiasts. And when Ford dropped that pony logo on the Mach-E many Mustang enthusiasts took it personally. So I did start the #NotAMustang petition. We got more than 16,000 signatures and it made some national news.
But still the Mach-E continues as a Mustang. I guess the Bronco enthusiasts got their way, but the Mustanger community doesn’t? Not sure. But let’s keep the petition going. Here’s a link to it.
Bring Back The V8 Raptor
I wrote an open letter to newly appointed Ford CEO Jim Farley, who is known to be a fan of V8s and muscle cars (see my above plea, please sir!). In it, I asked him to bring a supercharged V8 to the Raptor.
Of course at the time I wrote that, I had it in good authority that this was already happening. And just a few weeks later it was announced that the Predator V8 engine from the Mustang GT500 would be included in the 2021 Raptor.
So hey, we are at least getting somewhere with some of our “demands” to Ford, aren’t we?
Give the Mach 1 a Shaker hood
I broke the news last year that the Mach 1 would make a valiant return and replace the GT350 and Bullitt in the Mustang lineup. This news was met with much jubilation and most enthusiasts loved everything they saw from the Mach 1, including 480 horsepower V8 engine and the manual transmission.
The only real criticism I heard from some was the lack of a Shaker hood on the upcoming iteration. And I agree. It would look better and hold true to the classic Mach 1 if it had a Shaker hood.
So hey, someone start a petition and let’s get it circulated. Let’s have our voices heard!
So there’s my quick list, and I always appreciate a chance to rehash the #NotAMustang debate. I won’t concede on that point. In fact, I like to try to be the voice of the Ford consumer, whether that means F-150, Bronco or Mustang. Sure I’m a Mustang historian, and author of the book Mustang by Design, but here at Torque News, I cover lots of topics regarding the Blue Oval.
EDIT: Ford has finally confirmed this story to be true and released more information on the manual transmission.
What would you like to petition Ford to do? Leave me a comment and maybe I’ll do a story on it and who knows maybe it will become a reality, like the manual transmission for the Bronco Sasquatch.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
Comments
So does this mean we will be
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So does this mean we will be able to order the Bronco with a stick and the bigger engine, or just on 4 cylinder models with the Sasquatch package? These car companies offering a stick but only when paired with the puniest engine choice is almost worse than not offering it at all (looking at you, Mazda, Kia, & Genesis in addition to Ford).
I'm waiting for confirmation
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In reply to So does this mean we will be by D Baggins (not verified)
I'm waiting for confirmation on that 2.7-liter engine question.
... Suburban.
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... Suburban.
Suburban is the longest running nameplate in the automotive world, having been in continuous use since 1935.
Let’s get this transmission
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Let’s get this transmission
Where's the proof on the
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Where's the proof on the Bronco Sasquatch with a manual?
I said in the second
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In reply to Where's the proof on the by Wow (not verified)
I said in the second paragraph: Ford must’ve listened to the more than 11,000 people who signed that transmission petition because according to a source at Ford . . .
I'm told this week Ford will announce it officially!
It was a petition that
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It was a petition that stopped the use of the Mazda produced platform that eventually became the Probe, which was to become the Mustang.
Thank the Pony car God's for petitions.
Petition Ford for a bench
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Petition Ford for a bench seat option on the front row of the Expedition ( drivers row).
I agree about the bench seat.
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In reply to Petition Ford for a bench by Jim Smith (not verified)
I agree about the bench seat. When my wife and I rode in our 2014 f series, it seemed as if we were in different zip codes. My 97 had the split bench, so we sold the 2014. Please return the bench seat as an option.
Interesting on the bench seat
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In reply to Petition Ford for a bench by Jim Smith (not verified)
Interesting on the bench seat. I've heard others say that, but I have heard from many auto marketers that a bench seat would be totally unpopular.
I would like ford to bring
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I would like ford to bring back manuals for the f 350 to 550 as an option for work trucks
Have owned 4 Ford pickups
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Have owned 4 Ford pickups with manual transmissions, tried to by a new one but Ford wouldn't make it. Bought a Toyota Tacoma and took six months to get it with a manual. Why is it so hard to get a manual tranny? Vacation to Italy and the rental car was a manual! Fly to Mexico, manual transmissions everywhere....make what the customer wants!
Have owned 4 Ford pickups
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Have owned 4 Ford pickups with manual transmissions, tried to by a new one but Ford wouldn't make it. Bought a Toyota Tacoma and took six months to get it with a manual. Why is it so hard to get a manual tranny? Vacation to Italy and the rental car was a manual! Fly to Mexico, manual transmissions everywhere....make what the customer wants!
I want a full on lux version
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I want a full on lux version of the E to be called the Cougar
they need to put rubber floor
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they need to put rubber floor in all levels of 2021 ford bronco hands down and heated seats standard
Porsche crossovers should not
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Porsche crossovers should not exist but they do. So now ford is competing with the cayanne, big whoop
You're upset that Mustang can
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You're upset that Mustang can now be used for a lot more than just going fast and looking cool in?
The Mach-E is faster, more efficient, has greater utility than the classic coupe body. Look at the rooflines. Look at what you can actually shove in and take along. Look at how it can still smoke most trims of combustion-powered Mustangs.
As I've stated always, I'm
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In reply to You're upset that Mustang can by Jason Suggs (not verified)
As I've stated always, I'm fine with the electric portion and agree that they are stupid fast and crazy torquey. But a Mustang is NOT a crossover. Just don't use the name.
I would like to see an all
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I would like to see an all-wheel drive Mustang GT for those of us who live in the snow belt. I would like 400 pound feet of torque, manual transmission, all-wheel drive, handbrake, heated steering wheel and heated seats. I've written to Mr Ford and they told me that they take customer comments seriously. There is nothing on the market with all-wheel drive manual transmission and satisfactory torque and horsepower.
F250 with coil/air bag rear
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F250 with coil/air bag rear suspension and an eco boost 5.0
Bring cars back and I'm with
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Bring cars back and I'm with you 100% on the Mustang name not being used on the Mach E.
Cars, especially small cars are entry level for young buyers. This will cost Ford in lost opportunities to gain young buyers as time moves forward. The Ecosport is a terrible failure. People want to love their cars so make the Focus cooler, put a manual option, and bring it back.
The fact they offered the manual in the base engine Bronco but not the larger engine Bronco shows how out of touch with enthusiasts they are. Anyone who wants a manual wants the bigger motor.
I signed and shared that
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I signed and shared that petition when it first came out, and I would love to start celebrating. But not a single named source was cited. I also do not see any mention of it by Mike Levine. Where is the confirmation?
As I stated in the second
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In reply to I signed and shared that by GaryB (not verified)
As I stated in the second paragraph: Ford must’ve listened to the more than 11,000 people who signed that transmission petition because according to a source at Ford . . .
I'm told that Ford will officially announce this, this week. Levine is notoriously close lipped and they hate info like this leaking out. I'm told by my same inside source that Ford was upset that I broke this news and that it leaked out.
Roll out the pure electric
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Roll out the pure electric mustang already! I heard there will be a powerboost hybrid mustang for the next generation but that misses an opportunity to steal the electric performance crown back from Tesla.
I would also bet good money
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In reply to Roll out the pure electric by Jared Wright (not verified)
I would also bet good money that a powerboost gets added to the next Mustang.
The new mach-1 without a hood
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The new mach-1 without a hood scoop is blasphemy. Having said that I'm sure my hometown Mustang appearance specialists, Cervinis, will oblige us all with a proper hood and scoop set up in the near future.
Develop and sell a GT2
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Develop and sell a GT2 supercar. 2.7L turbo 100k lightweight sports car. Manual option of course.