As Ford’s cross-town rival, Chevrolet, continues to keep secrets about the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette close to the vest, Ford has announced a new vehicle that will give it a run for its money. That vehicle is none other than a new mid-engine Mustang SUV.
Revealed at a surprise, invite-only event on April 1st, the ultra-high-performance, mid-engine Mustang SUV will have enough performance to embarrass the upcoming mid-engine Corvette – if Chevy ever figures out how to bring it to market, that is.
That’s right, Ford says that not only can its new mid-engine Mustang SUV keep up with the new mid-engine Corvette C8, but it can also beat it in every performance category, while having enough room for the whole family, as well as their cargo – something the Corvette can’t even begin to dream of.
Ford says the new high-po Mustang SUV is capable of sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 1.2 seconds to a quarter-mile time in under eight seconds when equipped with Michelin Pilot SuperDuper Sport tires specially developed for the vehicle. The specialized rubber costs $5,000 per tire.
But how does the mid-engine Mustang SUV manage this level of performance? Ford took the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from the 2020 Shelby GT500 and placed it between the axles of the new Explorer. To make it hook off of the line, the hybrid-electric performance crossover features a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and two electric motors for instant torque. One electric motor is placed at each axle, in much the same way as performed by supercars such as the Acura NSX and hypercars like the Porsche 918 and McLaren P1. But the mid-engine Mustang SUV has the added advantage in that it’s Built Ford Tough.
Ford also said that the new performance-oriented crossover will outperform the upcoming Shelby GT500.
“Though our competitors continue selling sedans by the boatload, we know that everyone really wants an SUV – so we figured that we should build a utility to make us all proud,” said Ford CEO, Jimbo Jacket. “Sure the new Mustang GT500 is cool and all, but it’s just not all that practical. By comparison, our Mustang SUV is fun, fast and practical – all at the same time. Call it the perfect vehicle, if you will. Your words, not mine.”
Altogether, the mid-engine Mustang SUV makes 1,000 horsepower and a staggering 2,500 pound-feet of torque thanks to those electric motors. But that’s only where the fun begins. Since Ford is shoehorning the engine in the middle of a wagon-like SUV body, engineers had to get creative when it comes to the vehicle’s seating arrangements.
The result is a non-traditional seating layout: the driver and front passenger occupy the two buckets in the first row, followed by the engine smack dab in the middle of the vehicle. A second row sits aft of the engine and seats two more passengers.
“Though it’s an admittedly unusual seating arrangement, it does carry very unusual secondary benefits,” said Ford Motor Company product development chief, Tea Thai-Tang. “For instance, second-row passengers can use the engine as a cooktop should they get hungry. Plus, having a big, loud engine separating the two rows gives parents the joy of never hearing their screaming children in the back.”
As for the name, Ford has decided to keep things simple and call the new beast the Mid-Engine Mustang SUV. It arrives on dealer lots on April 1st and carries a base MSRP of $150,000. But there’s a catch: to drive it, one will need a Class 21 commercial drivers license, because NHTSA classifies the vehicle as a “F#c%ing TANK.”
Before you get overly excited, we’d advise you to look at your calendar and note that it’s April Fools’ Day!
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Comments
Good one! It’s still 4/1 here in the central time zone…..
On a more serious note, there were some other real posts out there about the upcoming mustang. The thing is, this kind of confirms my thoughts on the S650 Mustang being a bit more of a rival to the BMW M850i, but it also does something good for the Mustang and the S650 platform as a whole. With the mustang adding a bit of girth, the means the mustang will need a bit more power. Ford has been doing a lot with their V8 lineup still, the Coyote V8, the Voodoo V8, the predator V8 and the ALMIGHTY GODZILLA!!!!! (sorry, I’m a Godzilla fan and I’m pysch’d about the new movie coming out at the end of may!!!) What I do see that may possibly be happening for the V8 is that Ford will move the Coyote to the Gen-4 Coyote. Using a naturally aspirated 5.2L V8 with the GT500 block, Ford may just go ahead and put the Ford Performance heads, the GT350 style cams for the cross plane crank, a revised intake manifold, the 87mm throttle body and cold air intake from the GT350, use the GT500 style exhaust manifolds, etc. and give us a 495hp/455tq 5.2L V8 naturally aspirated engines with the twin fuel injection system, 10-speed auto and a few other things. While some may think my numbers for the HP rating are low, keep in mind that the GT350 only makes 526hp and 420lb-ft of torque with it’s setup and a cross plane crank isn’t going to rev as high so i conservatively use those numbers (also ford is probably going to want to do that for insurance reasons). Also with the new CD6 body, I’m hoping that Ford will return to a center muffler setup with resonators at the rear (Similar to what Dodge has). Another thing this car would gain would be the ability for wider tires without a wide body kit. The larger car should be able to handle a wheel and tire package identical to what the current GT500 will have when it debuts. a Revised suspension with magnetic ride should keep the car planted and make it handle better. A larger trunk, a more spacious interior that evolves from the current one, a sunroof and new exterior styling that still says mustang should all be present on this car. While the GT name remains, I would honestly love to see the Shelby names dropped from the lineup and Ford bring the Return of the Cobra back to the lineup as well as the LX for the 2.3L. Truthfully that’s all the mustang really needs are those three trim levels with different options and packages on each trim. To be honest, I’d rather ford drop the 2.3L in favor of the 400hp/400tq 3.0L ecoboost V6 and have their base car walk all over the Camaro and the Challenger and give it an AWD option and a performance pack option. The GT would get a Mach 1 performance pack option and the Cobra would get a Track performance R model. (yeah bring back the Cobra R it’s time) etc.
The CD6 platform has a lot of potential when it comes to performance. Ford could easy bring out the next gen Ford Falcon and bring it to the US and have it feature the same three engines as the mustang. the 3.0, the 5.2L N/A Coyote Gen-4 and the 5.2L Predator Supercharged V8 and let it walk all over Dodge. Same with the Explorer. A 3.0L ST, a 5.2L GT and a 5.2L Supercharged RS. I’d even suggest ford Doing a Mustang based gasoline powered performance CD6 Crossover with all three of those engines Ford would seriously be in business and it would take over what Dodge has going on and compete with cars like the Lexus GS-F, RC-F, LC500 and other vehicles such as the Challenger, Charger & Durango and some of the BMW lineup. Also, with Toyota about to release a new tundra and possibly a higher performance TRD tundra, Ford needs to do something more with the F150. Honestly, it’s time to bring back the lightning and this time do it all the way right. This truck needs and AWD setup with a supercharged 5.2L V8 under the hood with a 10-speed AWD setup, Magnetic ride, huge Brembo brakes, performance 22×12″ wheels on massive tires, lowered stance, aero upgrades, short bed, different cab configurations, performance interior, etc. The Raptor needs to be a beast as well with a proper V8 supercharged engine. The F150 also needs a cool, not as extreme GT pickup. a Hot 460hp 5.2L V8 with 445lb-ft torque, short bed, AWD independent rear suspension, magnetic ride, Big brakes (brembos optional), sport suspension, 20×10″ wheels, GT appearance package (grille, hood, bumpers, single piece bed cover with a pronounced rear lip spoiler, dark housing LED lamps, GT badging & graphics & GT interior) Of course Ford will always have its other more pedestrian stuff and luxury stuff and the Bronco and then Lincoln on top of that but Ford needs to get back to business with some real V8 stuff. Not saying that there shouldn’t be some electric stuff out there but give it some balance and give us performance guys and gals out here what we need and want. We have the money, we just need something that we’re going to enjoy.
I know it is an April Fool joke. But the Ford Econoline van had its engine between the two front seats.
You have a valid point