Imagining a Ford Mustang with the All-Electric SUV Drivetrain
We know that Ford is working on an all-electric SUV with Mustang inspiration and we know that the Mustang will eventually receive some sort of electrification. Since a company exec stated that the Mustang would be part of their electrification program, we have assumed that the Mustang would share a hybrid drive system with the F-150, but with all of the talk of the upcoming Mustang-inspired, all-electric SUV, perhaps FoMoCo will build a full-electric performance car.
The Electric SUV
We have known for some time now that Ford is working on an all-electric SUV that has been designed with heavy Mustang inspiration. The company issued the first official teaser image a few weeks back, revealing a rear end that looks a great deal like that of the Mustang, showing that the company wasn’t kidding when they said that the electric SUV would be inspired by the pony car.
In addition to having exterior styling cues from the Mustang, it is expected that the all-electric SUV – which Ford has said will not be named the Mach 1 – will offer sporty driving dynamics that are also inspired by the pony car. Of course, we don’t expect that the electric SUV will be as fast or handle corners as well as a modern performance car, but it seems likely that the vehicle being discussed under the name Mach 1 will offer some driving excitement.
So, if the Mach 1 has been designed with Mustang inspiration while packing an all-electric drivetrain, perhaps more than just styling will be shared. What if the electric drivetrain in the Mach 1 is repurposed to create an electrified Mustang?
Electric Mustang
I am sure that some Mustang and muscle car/pony car fans are freaking out over the thought of an electric Ford Mustang, but that is the current direction of the auto industry. More importantly, Ford execs have stated that an electrified Mustang is coming and we have speculated that there would eventually be a hybrid Mustang – possibly using the 5.0-liter V8.
However, an all-electric Mustang could offer superior performance to a hybrid package while being less complicated and, along the same lines, less expensive. Figure that the drivetrain in the Mach 1 has been designed for a larger, heavier vehicle and as an SUV, it will likely have all-wheel-drive. In the Mustang, that drivetrain would be powering a smaller, lighter vehicle and only spinning the rear wheels, so the power would go much further in making for a quick, all-electric Mustang.
Would that go over well with hardcore Mustang enthusiasts? Probably not, but introducing an all-electric Mustang alongside the gasoline-powered versions would allow the company to promote new technology while still satisfying the demands of those folks who want a big, powerful V8.