8 APRIL 2 020 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5
also details battery assistance
in the form of two electric
motors “mounted directly to
opposing sides of the engine”.
This means such a model
would have four-wheel drive,
with electric-only power
heading to the front axle
and, in performance driving,
stepping into play when
the car’s rear wheels lose
traction. The system could
offer torque vectoring, too.
In more eco-minded modes,
that same set-up would allow
the engine to be shut off in
situations with low powerdemand and high battery
charge, boosting efficiency.
A similar powertrain concept
is used in the recently launched
Fo r d E x p l o r e r H y b r i d i n th e US.
A likely factor in the decision
to g o hy b r i d i s Fo r d’s i nte nti o n
to base the next Mustang on
the same CD6 platform as theExplorer SUV and its sibling,
the Lincoln Aviator. In 2018,
the company announced it
was streamlining its platform
line-up with five highly modular
underpinnings, including one
to cover all rear-wheel-drive/
four-wheel-drive unibody-
construction cars (such as
the new Explorer and next
Mustang, among others).
However, it remains to be
seen whether Ford will offer
alongside the hybrid a cheaper,
non-hybrid V8 option and a
turbocharged four-cylinder
engine, as are available today.
Ford recently dropped
automatic versions of the four-
pot Ecoboost Mustang in the
UK due to their low efficiency.It’s also unlikely that a
traditional V8 without some
form of electrification would
continue in Europe, given the
need to meet stringent fleet
average emissions targets.
As for the new Mustang’s
design, we’re expecting it
to stray not too far from the
formula so well loved by its
customer base. The muscle
car’s shape has gently evolved
over the decades and, given
the Mach-E takes inspiration
from today’s Mustang and will
be on sale alongside the new
car, it should be recognisable,
albeit with a more modernist
approach to the detailing.
However, we’ve yet to see any
disguised test mules to give usa clear indication of its shape.
It’s likely that a convertible
version will again appear,
despite some makers moving
away from that market,
because the drop-top still
makes up a significant
proportion of Mustang sales.
Inside, expect the Mustang
to be more driver-focused
than the tech-heavy and
space-maximised Mach-E.
The infotainment and
driver assistance systems
on that car are expected
to be moderated for their
introduction in the Mustang.
The four-seat layout
should continue largely as
it is today, with engineering
developments ensuring the
hybrid system has a minimaleffect on interior space.
LAWRENCE ALLAN
Current Mustang’s
basic character
will be retained
M a ch - E i s t i p p e d to
give style pointers
to the new Mustang
IMAGE
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It remains to be seen if Ford will
also offer a non-hybrid V8 option
and a turbo four-cylinder engine
a