Emissions regulations are killing old-fashioned petrol V8 engines around the world, but Ford will keep the fire burning as long as it possibly can.
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, told Australian media the Blue Oval has “not identified an end date” for the V8 engine.
“As long as we can [offer a V8], we will,” he said, speaking at the launch of the Mustang Dark Horse in Charlotte, USA.
Mr Rushbrook didn’t rule out Ford developing a new Coyote V8 engine, provided there’s enough demand out there – and “depending on where the regulations go”.
Seventh-generation Mustang
Ford isn’t the only American brand to commit to the future of the V8 engine. Its cross-town rivals at General Motors recently invested in production for the V8 engine until 2035 in its large utes and SUVs.
It’ll replace the fifth-generation engine family debuted in the 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette, and currently featuring in the Chevrolet Silverado pickup sold in Australia by GM Speciality Vehicles.
Rumours of a hybrid Mustang swirled before the seventh-generation car’s launch, but there’s no sign of an electrified version just yet.
Mr Rushbrook says Ford considered developing a hybrid version of its iconic pony car, but didn’t follow through.
“We certainly considered did it make sense or not,” he said. “We think there’s a market of people that want fantastic driving, sounding, performing internal-combustion engines with an automatic transmission, with a manual transmission.
Power in the new Mustang comes from a choice of turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder and naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine options.
In its most powerful guise, the naturally-aspirated V8 makes 373kW of power and 567Nm of torque, mated with a choice of six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions.
If you want a Mustang with electric power you’ll need to settle for an SUV. The Mustang Mach-E will be in Australia towards the end of 2023.
MORE: Everything Ford Mustang
