Ford Mulling Mustang EV, Hybrid and Diesel Variants
What
would Steve McQueen and generations of muscle car fans have said if
they’d known Ford Motor Company would one day weigh alternative
powertrains in the Mustang?
Ford’s most recent step away from booming V8 power was shown last week with a turbocharged EcoBoost four variant, but Ford is considering all-electric, hybrid and diesel versions as well.
This revelation came via Ford’s global powertrain chief Bob Fascetti,
who spoke in Australia to GoAuto at the Sydney reveal of the EcoBoost
four.
Electric what?
“We’re not looking at diesel at the moment, but given where we need
to go with fuel consumption we are looking at all our options,” he said.
“And diesel is one of those options, along with hybrids and electric.”
Further details were not divulged, but the driving force behind
exploring all options is of course government fleet economy regulations.
Fascetti said Ford has few reservations about putting half the number
of cylinders in the Mustang for 2015, and expects customers will
embrace the new Mustang like F-150 buyers have gone for the 3.5-liter V6
EcoBoost version.
Ford’s willingness to mix and match brand imagery is becoming the norm, as Chevrolet boss Mark Reuss has said he’d be tickled to develop a hybrid Corvette.
But to go all-electric with the sound of silence replacing the rumble
of the boulevard burner would be a mix indeed. Any bets on whether Ford
will do it? Would such a car sell?