DeluxeStang

I think it'll depend on the application. Engineers are always finding a way to get more power out of electric motors. So if Ford can bump the power rating of the 2.5 hybrid from like 190-200 hp to about 250 hp, it would be faster off the line than a 2.0 Ecoboost, while getting much better fuel economy, and being much more reliable long term. If Ford can get up the power, I can see the 2.5 hybrid being a really solid choice for a next gen bronco sport, maybe even the only powertrain offering. It'll make it a lot easier for the BS to meet future emissions targets, the improved fuel economy will make the BS a more aspirational and desirable product, and the 2.5 is basically indestructible, so it'll help reduce Ford's warranty costs by bringing it into other models.

The vibe I'm getting is Ford is done with engineering their own 1.5 3 cylinders because no-one cares about those engines, and the lifespan of them is very limited, so it's hard to justify future investment in developing them any further. EVs, especially affordable EVs, are gonna become the go to option in the future for people who just want easy, reliable, low hassle transportation. That's all the people currently buying crossovers with sewing machine engines. If I put an electric compact crossover in front of someone that looks better than an escape, is cheaper and more reliable to own long term, is more refined, and quieter inside, and better to drive, most people are gonna buy the electric escape. I personally believe Fords future is gonna be a lot of it's icons still using gas engines, but hybridized, think a 5.0 mustang hybrid in a decade, or a 2.7 hybrid bronco. Then you'll have buyers that want EVs like CE1 because they're just better options for the people who want reliable transportation pods. Then you'll have a third, relatively small group, that doesn't want aspirational products like mustang, but also isn't ready to go EV yet. That's the crowd who Ford will outsource engines for. People who still want a gas engine, but don't care what kind it is, and are just waiting a few more years until buying an EV. It makes a lot of sense to have this strategy. Invest in powertrains where people actually care out them, outsource the work to another company to save a ton of money for vehicles where buyers don't care. It's a win-win as long as the quality of those powertrains is world class.

Taking everything into consideration, it seems like Ford killed their hatches and sedans as they were because they weren't fiscally sustainable, and they didn't align with Ford's desire to lean into passion products. That being said, there's a significant amount of evidence to suggest hatchbacks and sedans will return to the Ford lineup at some point in the future. Everything from comments made by leadership about how there's space in Ford's lineup for low slung, non suv EV models, and how that's something they'll consider once the capri, explorer, and puma EVs were launched. Farley said in an interview how their skunkwork EV platform could allow them to reenter segments they left previously. Do I see a cheap rental spec hatchback returning? No. Do I see a fun, interesting hatchback that ties into Ford's fast Ford heritage returning if Ford can make a profit on it? That's a real possibility.

So a recent presentation from Ford designers had them talking about the rs200 concept I shared a while back. Where it gets more interesting is at the very end of their presentation, they teased future variants of this concept. It's blurred out, but looking at the stance of this product, it's very clearly a lifted, more off-road oriented version of this design. The designers said there were "New terrains to explore". Why does this matter? because I firmly believe this could hint at the off-road supercar Farley talked about a few months ago. I'll also add they said they would reveal this later this year.

Very similar to what I have in mind. That being said, I used to want to see fox body design cues, but I'm kinda leaning more in the 60s now just because it's more timeless. Keeping the V8 mustang a fastback like a modern 1967 gt 500 blended with the surfacing and proportions of an Aston Martin. There's something called like the Aston Martin victor that looks pretty close to what I'd love to see with a next gen mustang. Still clearly a muscle car look, but with more evocative proportions. As for the CE1 mustang, something that's more like a notchback look like that lancia rendering.

That color is incredible, can't wait to see it on a normal gt.

Still, I like the way you think. I wonder if Ford would consider supplying its own engines and platforms to other brands. I can see a future where Ford sells 5.0s and CE1 platforms to brands with lackluster engineering departments. It could be a way for Ford to generate a considerable amount of revenue that goes beyond what it's currently doing.

They've been profitable for I want to say the last few quarters in a row. They've also made a ton of progress on cost efficiency and reducing losses. They're also basically the exclusive provider of vans for Amazon, and with this news, are providing the tech for one of the biggest car companies in the world. No-one has a crystal ball, who knows what tomorrow brings. But I have more faith in Rivian being around in 20 years than I do Subaru, or Dodge.

That's possible, but even if Ford buy engines from ram at a low cost, I don't know what they would buy the 3.0 from them when their own turbocharged v6 motors are so much better. Ecoboost engines are basically best in class as far as turbocharged engines are concerned. I could see Ford outsourcing powertrains in segments where it doesn't really matter, and they aren't all that remarkable, think things like the escape engine lineup. But in areas where Ford is a powertrain leader, or where those engines are still seen as being a major point of differentiation in the product, I firmly believe Ford will continue to invest. I could see Ford giving the 5.0 or their larger ecoboosts several additional reiterations in the coming years and decades. As with all things, it'll be a mix. No-one cares what kind of engine an edge has, so I could totally see Ford buying from an external engine supplier for products like that, but still developing next gen truck and performance vehicle powertrains in house.

I don't believe they'll be able to drop the price significantly. What would help is sharing the coupe platform with a mustang sedan, which we know is the plan for now, with the goal of stabilizing prices even if they don't reduce them. Sharing the platform with multiple vehicles would also in theory make it easier to invest more in the mustang moving forward. For the prices the gt and above are now selling for, I personally believe an effort should be made to give the mustang more seductive proportions. Longer wheelbase, shorter rear, and much shorter front overhangs. Maybe push the a-pillar back an inch or two. Lower the roof maybe 2 inches, and the beltline by an inch. Keep the strong haunches, and accentuate the fastback rooflines. The s650 is a good looking car, but the size of the overhangs drive me nuts, I'd love to see whatever came next keep the 60s inspiration, but push the wheels to the corners more. Give it larger, more eye catching wheels as well. Basically just minor tweaks here and there to make an already good looking model even better looking to help justify the higher price tag. The s650 in well equipped gt form is a 55-60 grand car with the same basic shape and proportions to an s550 that was 30 grand new. Casual car buyers don't notice that, hard core sports car enthusiasts do. I don't know how flexible the hard points on the s650 chassis are, but assuming they're making a sedan using that chassis, it seems like there's a fair amount of flexibility with the dimensions.

Nah, I have, that's why I'm concerned lol.

I really hope there aren't people within Ford right now trying to cite low sales as an excuse to get rid of the mustang or something. I know it doesn't sell super well, but it's arguably Ford's most iconic product. It would be a devastating blow to the auto industry if the mustang was killed off. I'm just concerned seeing these sales figures.

It's funny that probably half of us on this site have said Ford should do this, because it feels like the most logical thing in the world, yet they probably won't.

Do you think we'll even get a second generation mach-e at this point in time?

True, but it's not working. If it's not gonna work as an edge replacement, I just say lean even harder into the idea of a muscle car utility. Believe it or not, a lot of mustang owners kinda like how the mach-e looks, they just don't believe it should wear the mustang pony. Making it even more muscle car like would win some of those people over imo. I'd love a sharper, meaner design with more muscular surfacing. I'd love a mach-e front end with this lighting, and a less bulbous looking grille cutout.

Yikes my friends. Toyota design is very hit or miss, and this is a miss for me. The combination of the stubby hood and thick c-pillar looks so disproportionate. It's basically the opposite of a bronco sport, which is good looking as hell, maybe even better looking than the full sized bronco imo.

I'll say if the current mach-e is a crossover with some mustang design cues thrown in last minute, I hope the next gen mach-e leans harder into the muscle car theme. Apparently they wanted to make the first gen mach-e lower and wider, but couldn't due to platform limitations. Hopefully they really lean into this the next time around.

I don't believe any of that will translate to a road variant. Well then again, I noticed how the lower fascia is very GTD in appearance. So maybe if they made a high performance mach-e beyond the gt, they'd give it GTD styling cues. Overall, not bad. I still think supervan is my favorite EV demonstrator because of the insane flying buttress design, but this is badass.

I believe they would if the price was right. Even a good portion of the Ecoboost mustangs you see are optional into the high 30s or low 40s. Even the Ecoboost is gradually becoming less affordable for young enthusiasts. So that's opening up some room for something to slot beneath it. We know CE1 is super optimized for cost, to be profitable on vehicles starting in the mid to high 20s. Do I believe people would accept a 200 hp electric mustang that was 40k? Hell no. Will they accept one that has a starting price of 25-27k? Hell yes. I've even thought about how just like the slate truck can be converted into an SUV quickly and easily, Ford could sell a kit where the sloping rear glass and decklid can be pulled off and be replaced with a hatchback cap or something. Giving you a lot more practicality than a conventional coupe, thereby addressing one of the biggest drawbacks most sports cars have. You could sell lowering kits, bigger wheels, aftermarket lights, spoilers, splitters, diffusers, etc, all to boost profitability, and public perception of your EVs. Think about it, young people like EVs, but all of their dream cars are Tesla's because that's one of the only ev brands in America offering evs beyond utilities and trucks. The model 3 for instance really appeals to those young people. Now what if we could give them an affordable EV, and make it a mustang? That's a product worth getting excited over.

The issue is if Ford makes the mustang smaller, smaller cars are subjected to more intense emissions requirements, which a v8 would almost certainly not be able to meet. So this would mean the end of a V8 mustang. Farley mentioned how the mustang needs to lose weight, I could see them losing a few hundred lbs by ditching a lot of the steel in the body in favor of aluminum. But that brings up the challenge of adding more cost to the manufacturing process of the mustang. The reason I've suggested a smaller EV mustang is because there's really nothing on the market in the fun, affordable EV market, especially for coupes. So Ford would have the market basically to itself. Like Slate, they could offer a ton of accessories to not only increase the aspirational nature of the product, but serve as profit drivers as well. Not to mention an EV isn't gonna have to worry about emissions standards, and using the CE1 platform that would be shared with much higher volume products, so it would be, in theory, pretty cost efficient to develop. Not to mention it would just be cool, and give Ford a way to compete that stood out, and gave it's EVs additional wow factor and desirability. As the mustang brand expands, I think keeping the V8 manual full size mustang around as a higher performance, more high end model is a solid idea. But ford should also explore an addition to the stable of a mustang that returns to the humble roots of the mustang. Something that's not super car, maybe 200-250 HP, but that looks great, is still fun to drive, and anyone who wants one can afford one.

I couldn't agree more. That being said, if the '25/26 color palette for the s650 is any indication, it seems like Ford is trying to bring back fun colors. I genuinely hope these colors extend to bronco and other products. So many of us consumer are tired of the colorless hell scape.

Found the student project I was thinking of. As far as mid-engine mustangs go, I prefer this one.

Trying to find something nice to say, I like the shoulder line on it. But overall, none of these are really winners or the direction the mustang should go in. I'm an advocate for a mid-engine mustang, I walk about it all the time, but that specific design just doesn't do it for me. There was a other mid-engine mustang student project I liked a lot more, I'll see if I can find some pics of it.

There's certainly potential with this idea. I just believe if they do make it, it should be its own thing instead of part of the mustang brand.

IDK man, we've discussed how Ford needs to be careful with expanding the mustang brand and not having too many models with mustang branding. I feel like a mustang truck would really bury the mustang brand for a lot of people, and would be a bit too far. That being said, I like the way you think. With Ford leaning so heavily into all these trucks models, and pretty much all of them looking like conventional trucks, it would be neat if the CE1 truck or some other future truck models looked nothing like traditional trucks, and had bolder, more expressive designs to differentiate them from the rest of Ford's lineup.