The Green Mustang: Will Ford’s Muscle Cars Go For Energy Over Iron?

by Driveway on Monday, December 9th, 2013

The Ford Mustang. It oozes Motor City. Bleeds red, white, and blue.

The quintessential American muscle car. But is it going vegan?

According to Ford’s global powertrain chief Bob Fascetti, fuel economy is the company’s priority, and that means the Mustang could see itself in versions Diesel, Hybrid, and even Electric, although Fascetti was mum on just how real this possibility is.

Ford has unveiled its 2015 Mustang, a 2.3-liter EcoBoost charged horse with a four-cylinder engine. Ford has also said it will start building nine or ten-speed automatics into its transmissions, which will make its way into the company’s cars in the next three years. Again, no word on whether future Mustangs will replace their current six-speed standards and automatics with something a little more vogue-to-be.

from Green Car Reports:

The EcoBoost is actually the Mustang’s mid-level engine, splitting the difference between a 3.7-liter V-6 that will produce at least 300 hp and 270 lb-ft, and a 5.0-liter V-8 with at least 420 hp and 390 lb-ft.

While the Mustang isn’t a green car, these measures should improve its EPA fuel-economy ratings and help Ford achieve Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) targets.

Still, a diesel, hybrid, or electric Mustang might be a hard pill to swallow for the car’s fans.