Ford’s V8 Rebellion: Clinging to the Mustang’s Roar Amidst the Electric Shift

Stark: Ford Insists on Producing V8 Mustangs Until They're Banned

The American behemoth resists the electric vehicle trend, determined to keep the legendary muscle car alive

What's the connection between the Gauls, led by Asterix, and Ford's Americans? Both are staunchly resisting the overwhelming tide of conformity. For Asterix and his village companions, it was the dominating force of the Romans they successfully defied. As for Ford, despite the current push towards electric vehicles, they're committed to preserving the quintessential muscle car, the Mustang, complete with a V8 engine – preferably manually shifted. That's a promise!

The once-glorious era of pony and muscle cars has largely faded away. The Chevy Camaro has been discontinued. The Dodge Challenger has also reached the end of the line. Not to mention the iconic Pontiac Firebird or GTO. At least the Camaro and Challenger went out with a bang, releasing special editions like the "Collector's Edition" and the "Black Ghost." Ford, on the other hand, is celebrating something different – a commitment to the V8 pony car!

According to Laurie Transou, Ford Mustang's global chief engineer, Ford is committed to manufacturing and marketing their V8 engines for as long as they can. This determination is fueled by the belief that there's still a robust market for high-performance internal combustion engines. The Ford Mustang, especially versions like the Mustang Dark Horse, which boasts a 5.0-liter V8 engine, and the Mustang GTD, equipped with a 5.2-liter V8 engine, continue to be in high demand.

These vehicles not only come with remarkable performance metrics but also provide a driving experience that is highly valued by many aficionados. The allure, distinctive sound, and power of a V8 engine are elements that electric vehicles have not yet been able to emulate satisfactorily, which of course also raises questions about the purpose.

Another factor influencing Ford's choice to stick with V8 engines is the ambiguity surrounding future regulations. Despite numerous declarations and objectives to phase out combustion engines, many of these deadlines are not concrete or have been postponed. This is also true for the self-imposed zero-emission goals of many car manufacturers and nations. These uncertainties afford Ford the opportunity to continue leveraging established technologies as long as there's consumer demand and in the absence of stringent legal requirements.

Ford also emphasizes that the choice to continue manufacturing V8 engines aligns with customer desires. As long as there's a market for vehicles equipped with V8 engines and manual transmissions, Ford won't be abandoning heartthrobs like the Mustang Dark Horse. This commitment is evident in their ongoing provision of manual transmissions, which remain a favorite among numerous drivers. Customers of many other brands can only wish for such options…

Incidentally, Ford isn't the only manufacturer clinging to conventional engines. Other luxury and sports car makers such as Pagani and Bugatti continue to favor powerful internal combustion engines. These firms maintain that there is still a market for such vehicles and they aim to supply their clients with what they desire.

Increased Presence of Muscle Cars:

From the perspective of a car enthusiast, one could really applaud Ford for adopting this philosophy. Moreover, it's not a bad marketing tactic to position oneself as a defender of powerful gas-guzzling engines. However, how this aligns with their production of electric vehicles such as the Mustang Mach-E or Capri is a question that remains unanswered.

Source: The Drive

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