Skip to main content

Is Ford planning diesel- and hybrid-powered Mustangs? You bet

think four cylinder mustangs sacrilege wait diesel hybrid variants ford mustang 2015

Ford, as I am sure you know, unveiled the 2015 Mustang last week and it, like we presumed, will be offered with V6, a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 5.0-liter Coyote V8.

This is not where Ford is planning to stop with its powertrain options. Bob Fascetti, Ford’s powertrain boss, told GoAuto that the American automaker has pondered both diesel and hybrid variants of the world’s most iconic pony car.

“We’re not looking at diesel at the moment, but given where we need to go with fuel consumption we are looking at all our options,” he revealed. “And diesel is one of those options, along with hybrids and electric.”

If an automaker says its not considering something like diesel at the moment but that it has considered it in general, you can believe that it’s absolutely seriously considering diesel. A diesel Mustang – especially for the global markets Ford aims to conquer with the Mustang – makes a lot of sense, especially given the increasingly stringent Federal fuel economy standards coming down the line.

Diesel is the most affordable option in the global markets outside the U.S. Not only is it economical, it’s also torque-y. Pony cars have always benefited from a lot of rear-wheel drive torque. A turbo diesel could be a perfect source of penny-pinching torque.

As for hybrid, it’d be ideal for the U.S. where diesel is more expensive. Just like diesel, hybridization adds torque and boost acceleration while also cutting down on fuel consumption.

Add to those drivetrains Ford’s forthcoming 10-speed automatics that it is working on developing with hometown rival General Motors and the 2015 Mustang could be brilliant looking, powerful, and eco-friendly – all in one.

We’ll be watching this story closely so be sure to check back for more on this and any news on the all-new Mustang.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Ford’s plan for Rivian-powered, electric Lincoln SUV canceled due to coronavirus
ford and lincoln cancel rivian electric suv over coronavirus r1s feature

Ford’s plan to add an all-electric Rivian-powered SUV to its Lincoln model lineup has reportedly been canceled due to the coronavirus. 

The companies announced the decision to cancel the car’s production on Tuesday, April 28, Automotive News first reported. The electric SUV was supposed to be ready for release by 2022. 

Read more
Mechanics will use Bosch’s VR tech to learn how to fix the Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford Mustang Mach E front view

The electric Mustang Mach-E due out by the end of 2020 is Ford's most high-tech car to date, and the mechanics who will work on it will undergo a suitably futuristic training process. The company teamed up with Bosch to create a virtual reality-based training course to teach technicians how to keep the crossover in tip-top condition.

Instead of traveling to a workshop, mechanics will learn how the Mach-E's electric powertrain is put together using an Oculus Quest headset programmed with instructions. Bosch and Ford placed a major focus on the high-voltage electrical system, which was developed specifically for the model and isn't currently found in other cars. VR will teach technicians how to remove, diagnose, repair, and reinstall the lithium-ion battery pack, for example.

Read more
Most Ford Mustang Mach-E reservation holders go for extended-range battery
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2020 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the most anticipated new cars of the upcoming year. Treated to a glitzy unveiling at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the First Edition of the new electric car sold out in a matter of days. Now we have more information on what the first production cars will look like, and when they will arrive.

The Mach-E First Edition was listed as sold out on Ford's website by the end of November -- shortly after order books opened November 18. Ford finally confirmed that reservations for the First Edition are full, without saying how many First Edition cars it plans to build. Customers can still place reservations for other models. However, as the name implies, First Edition models will roll off the assembly line and into customers' driveways first.

Read more