The Blue Oval first announced that it was developing a Ford Mustang hybrid way back in 2017, investing $700 million in the Flat Rock Assembly plant in Michigan, where the pony car is built, in part to support production of a hybrid V8 model slated to debut in 2020. That obviously never happened, and today, the traditional Ford Mustang lineup is still devoid of any kind of electrified option. However, that may not be the case much longer.
As Ford Authority exclusively reported yesterday, sources familiar with the matter have revealed that The Blue Oval currently has an S650 Ford Mustang hybrid model in operation – known internally as S650E. It’s unclear what sort of hybrid powertrain is present in this pony car, as it could be a traditional hybrid or plug-in hybrid. It’s also unclear if this project will ever see the light of day, given the fact that the Trump administration has worked to relax fuel economy and emissions regulations for vehicles as of late.
Regardless, S650E prototypes are running around and have entered the Technology Prove-Out stage, meaning there are mules being tested that likely feature some form of electrification. The Blue Oval also previously announced that it planned to add some sort of hybrid powertrain option to every model in the ICE-focused Ford Blue lineup by 2030, and the Mustang just so happens to fall under that umbrella, making such a thing seem likely to happen. CEO Jim Farley has hinted that a Ford Mustang hybrid remains possible on more than one occasion in recent years, too.
Otherwise, we don’t yet know much about the S650E Ford Mustang hybrid, including what sort of gas engine it might pair with an electric motor, or two, or more. Regardless, whether it be mated to the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 EcoBoost, 5.0L V8 Coyote, or something else entirely, it stands to reason that a potential model could improve both fuel economy ratings and performance compared to standard ICE offerings, as is usually the case with these types of sporty hybrid vehicles.
Thus, we’re curious whether or not pony car fans would actually buy a Ford Mustang hybrid, if such a thing does finally come to fruition in the near future. We’ve created a poll for our readers to vote on below, so be sure and tell us how you feel about the possibility of a partially-electrified pony car!
Comments
Yes I would. I could even buy it electrical. What I will never buy, is an SUV or a crossover with a Mustang badge.
Yes I would also. After witnessing many performance brands utilize the hybrid aspect of a combination drivetrain for enhanced performance gains…very much. It almost seems like a natural next step. It’s being used to great effect in racing, why not in a road performance vehicle like a Mustang. And if Ford is really on their game, make an all wheel drive option. That would really be cool. Hey, the guys across the street have done it with the Corvette.
V8 all day every day. From a Gen Z.
Yes!!! As long as it’s a V8 hybrid and preferably AWD like the Corvette E-Ray. I’ve been holding my money waiting to see one get released for a couple years now.
Also, I highly recommend NOT putting “E” in a hybrid’s name, especially for the Mustang. That definitely hurt the E-Ray. Even many people at car shows/events thought the “E-Ray” meant it was a full EV.
5.0 Coyote with dual electric motors driving the front wheels? Yes please.
3.0 EcoBoost with dual electric motors driving the front wheels? Yes please.
3.0 EcoBoost on its own? Yes please.
Keep the 2.3 and 5.0 as well? Yes please.
I like options. 🙂
I have actually been waiting for a hybrid Mustang for a few years now. Maybe the 3.5EB + hybrid system. The cyclone engine that it’s based on can actually be safely opened up to 4.0L, but seeing as they didn’t even do that for the FGT, I don’t imagine they’d do it here. The reason why I say the 3.5 is because it already has a FR layout in hybrid form. All of FoMoCo’s other hybrid options are FWD and would require massive re-engineering to make them work in a FR layout and they’re also much less likely to fill the “performance” measure needed for Mustang.
I know everyone here is all “muh vee-aight motuur” but let’s be realistic here. besides, there is already going to be a weight issue with a hybrid system, and with the dressed 5.0 weighing in at 444lbs and the dressed 3.5EB coming in at 449lbs it’s kind of a wash. Then consider the ROI of using an already available powertrain vs engineering a whole new one. Plus we’ve already seen the 3.5 making decent power in FGT, not that we’d see the same here, but it does have the potential and the hybrid would only make it all the better.
Yes I would take a hybrid if it’s available with the 5.0, the electric motor(s) powers the front wheels and isn’t just sandwiched between the engine and gearbox, and if the name of this thing doesn’t have “E” tacked on anywhere.
Having a hybrid is the easiest way to give the Mustang AWD, and some better fuel economy. If it’s a plug-in and has a limited-range electric only drive mode, that’d be a great way to get out of the neighborhood with a modified exhaust without waking up your neighbors.