The LT8 6.6 was a good effort by GM but when Ford released the 6.8 Godzilla I suspect that GM felt they had to do a serious upgrade to the future V8 plan.   GM 6.6……..401 hp / 464 lbft Ford 6.8…...405 hp / 445 lbft…….just imagine with DI or Ford DI+PFI Just spit balling here, So what if edselford is right and Ford does a redesign to a smaller bore, longer stroke 7.0 and one that springs to mind is FE bore size 4.13” (104.9 mm) with the 7.3’s 3.98” stroke. they get to reuse the crank and rods while the block gets better coolant flow, lots to like. The smaller bore may give better emission profile especially if DI+PFI is added to the mix. (if deck height was also increased, a 4.4”/4.5” stroke may be possible for a nice MD 7.7/7.9)  

Ah gotcha. Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if the CE1 utility is just an escape in electric form.

At least Mexico has the option of importing Kuga from Europe without significant tariffs…

None whatsoever.  I just made the comment that I would like to see a 'Godzilla' with a smaller bore (7.3 and 6.8 share the same bore, just the stroke differs) for high perfomance aftermarket activities.  As edselford pointed out, the 7.3L block cannot be over-bored very much due to the siamesed cylinders, which required the fly cut across the block deck between the cylinders for cooling.  While that has not caused issues with the NA 7.3L, similar cuts on many Ecoboost engines proven to be disasterous.  GM's 6.6L block is basically a high performance 'LSX' block with the extra head bolt bosses deleted.  While it is siamesed too (though it really doesn't need to be) GM bored coolant passages between the cylinders which does not compromise the head gasket sealing surface.  The 6.6L block can take a .060" or more over bore with ease but a 'Godzilla' can only be bored .030" over, and even that could be risky due to core shift and head gasket sealing surface (notice Wolfe welded up the cuts on some of the 7.3L's he built).  Of course the drawback to the GM 6.6L block is that it is very heavy!   There is no problem with the 7.3L in stock truck applications now that the cam/lifter issues seem to be under control.  I would not hesitate to buy a truck with a 7.3L because of the engine.  

Can't find it now but he said something like if you liked Escape you'll be happy or something to that effect.

When did he say that? 

Not really sure.  They had the Chevy Volt, an EREV, back in 2010.  They could have further developed that technology, but Mary Barra made an executive decision to go 100% EV's.  Now they're playing catchup. 

I see where you're coming from. I personally believe a smaller hatch/coupe based on CE1 would be an interesting idea. A smaller, very affordable, highly customizable mustang to appeal to younger people. It wouldn't be as fast as the V8 coupe slotting above it, but it would be a return of the mustang's roots, good looking, fun to drive, and virtually anyone who wanted one could afford it. Let the V8 take the idea of the full sized muscle car to new heights, and let this EV be the mustang of the people.    If CE1 is optimized for cost and already designed for 25-30k EVs, I see no reason why it wouldn't be sustainable. 

If they tried they would need a 3rd shift at MAP plus more R&D, more stampings for more body styles and probably lower prices.  And probably very little additional profit.

I do believe he did.  And in retirement he has been getting all kinds of wild numbers out of it.  If you google him on You Tube there is a lot of info on him