Ford is considering launching new Mustang variants with SUS engines, including the Mustang sedan.
Ford CEO Jim Farley claims the Mustang is now “by far” the best-selling coupe in the world and has a huge following around the world. However, he admitted that these supporters would only accept the new derivatives if they had the “performance and attitude” of the existing models.
“We’re never going to make a Mustang that’s not a Mustang,” Farley says. “For example, there will never be a place for a small Ford SUV with two rows of seats with the Mustang badge. But could we do other Mustang body styles – four doors or whatever? I believe we could, as long as these models have all the performance and attitude of the originals.”
To begin this latest phase of the Mustang’s expansion, Farley believes Ford needs to start by adding luster to the original coupe, investing in both models available to traditional buyers and other versions that take the coupe to the next level, the way Porsche did with with its 911 GT3 RS and GT2 RS models.
“Porsche has been smart about creating derivatives over the last 20 years,” says Farley. “But we wouldn’t want to do things their way. We want to give them a good American-style run for their money.”
One way to reduce costs while increasing performance in an affordable version, he believes, may be to reduce weight, and a development program is already underway to explore ways to achieve this.
Farley calls the recently announced 800-hp Mustang GTD an “advance” on the Mustangs of the future. “We’re not going to stop with GTD,” he said. “We have to keep making derivatives that will surprise people.”
For all its expansionist plans, Farley believes Ford needs to be cautious about diversifying the brand.
“Some people think we could combine the Mustang with off-roading – look at what Porsche did with the 911 Dakar and what Lamborghini did. But I’m not so sure about that.”
One point of reassurance for the Mustang faithful is Ford’s intention to continue producing V8 engines “as long as God and the politicians allow us.” Farley promises to fight hard to keep these iconic engines and the manual transmissions often associated with them in production.
However, future Mustang models will likely offer hybrid power to reduce emissions and improve performance. Farley said: “We’ve tested and we really believe that partial electric drivetrains work well for sports drivers.”
“One thing I can promise is that we will never build an all-electric Mustang,” Farley added, dismissing the unrelated Mustang Mach-E electric SUV that shares its name.
“I look at other electric users like Formula E and even companies like Rimac, and I just don’t think it would be right for the Mustang. Great for other Fords – look at the global success of the Transit – but not for the Mustang.”
Farley, who was named Ford CEO at the end of 2020 and has since been revamping the model lineup, sees the Mustang’s rise to global prominence as a major win for the company. “When we decided around 2015 to go global with the Mustang—with right-hand drive and other expensive changes—it felt like we were taking a big risk. But it was worth it. Today, some of our biggest dealers are in countries like Sweden and Australia. I would say the Mustang’s future has never been brighter.”
In the factory drawing from September 2022, there is an otherwise interesting idea of the Mustang in the form of an elegant sedan with four doors. The sketch comes from Christopher Stevens, the company’s senior exterior designer.
The sedan retains the model’s iconic coupe-like shape, with fastback styling that flows into the short rear, like the two-door model. A contrasting top helps to hide the length, and the door handle on the rear fender is noticeable.
