Mustang GT Coupe

Make
Ford
Segment
Coupe

The all-new, seventh-generation Ford Mustang has finally been revealed, bringing with it an updated V8 engine, a standard manual transmission, and plenty of new technology. That V8 engine is a big part of the Mustang's appeal and also why its new racing versions are so exciting to contemplate, but with the advent of the electric age, one can't help but wonder if this S650 Mustang will be our last with a big V8. After all, the new model was tipped to debut with a hybrid powertrain in preparation for the electric shift.

Thankfully, Henry Ford's great-grandson, William Clay Ford Junior, has revealed that the Blue Oval remains committed to the V8 engine.

Speaking at the reveal of the new 'Stang, Mr. Ford revealed that he is aware of the speculation surrounding the death of the V8 while putting fears of its demise to rest: "People have asked me 'well, is this the last internal combustion Mustang?' and the answer is 'we'll see.' Customers will let us know when that day will come. Firstly, that day will come with a tear in my eye. Because, you know, I've loved the Mustangs all the way from 1964 through to [today's model]."

So the V8 will live on for as long as customers demand it, but what of government regulations forcing its retirement early?

Mr. Ford didn't reveal exactly how things may change but did indicate that the creation of a new range of electric vehicles is designed to get the brand ready for just such a thing. Essentially, Ford will continue to offer a V8 for as long as it can, and when it has no other choice but to go electric, existing experiments like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning will have provided the automaker with the insight and experience it needs to guarantee an exciting experience way into the future.

Similarly, Ford CEO Jim Farley said, "Everyone wrote the story that [EVs] are, you know, the next cycle of our industry. It's not that simple. There are different customers who want different things and have different duty cycles," or vehicle requirements.

Farley also drew attention to the fact that an instantaneous worldwide shift to electric vehicles would be impossible to facilitate, not because the technology isn't there - it is - but because there are just too many people who need cars. Farley notes that there are more than 60 million new cars sold annually worldwide, and if all of these were to become EVs at once, the materials required to create these EVs and their battery packs would be impossible to supply. Electricity grids would also face unprecedented challenges, which is why Ford has been working on EVs that can return power to the grid.

Simply put, Ford continues to provide its customers with the engine they desire and will do so until there is no other option. When the day comes that EVs are our only choice, Ford will be ready.