Ford Engineer Seems to Confirm V8 Mustang Hybrid

By John Coyle - October 29, 2021

It’s far from official, but a LinkedIn post seems to indicate that a hybrid Mustang with a V8 is on the way.

Remember that time, when in a moment of carelessness, you posted something on social media that you shouldn’t have? Well, things could really be worse. Because instead of providing fodder for an “interesting” wedding toast, or setting up an uncomfortable Thanksgiving, you could have spilled the beans on a pair of unconfirmed powertrains from one of the world’s largest auto manufacturers. That’s what one Ford engineer appears to have done, and said powertrains sound interesting indeed.

Details come from our friends over at The Drive, who spotted the intel on a Mustang enthusiast forum, which referenced a LinkedIn profile from a purported employee of the Blue Oval. Specifically, under the experience section, the Product Development Engineer mentioned the next-gen S650 platform, along with a pair of unconfirmed hybrid powertrains. The first was a 2.3-liter I4 hybrid, while the second — and far more exciting option — was a 5.0-liter V8 hybrid setup. Both hybrid references have since been removed.

The eight-pot in question could be the one described in patent drawings we first saw back in 2019, and might prove to be the bridge between the upcoming Mustang redesign and the fully electric version expected to drop in 2028. Obviously, the possibilities here are fantastic, as along with adding some immediate off-the-line torque, this package could also mean buyers will get an all-wheel drive Mustang option. Power figures are pure speculation, but it’s safe to say they’ll be formidable.

For purists, the elephant in the room is what electrification means for the manual transmission. And while many folks seem to think a hybrid drivetrain precludes any possibility of a three-pedal Pony, it’s important to note that Honda has offered not one, not two, but three different vehicles with just such a set up. So whether any hybrid Mustangs will allow drivers to row their own will likely come down to how many buyers Ford predicts will opt for a stick. As of 2019, the company said half of GT buyers prefer a manual, so I’d say the engineers will find a way to keep that option on the table.

Photos: Ford, USPTO