Future Ford Performance Models to Focus on Drive Feel, Not Numbers
Future fast Fords may shift towards driving experience and away from zero-to-60 and 1/4-mile times.
It’s no secret that the ever-accelerating race for better fuel economy and cleaner vehicles has had a big impact on performance cars. Smaller and more efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines are replacing naturally aspirated, large displacement V8s. One big question is how exactly the various car manufacturers are going to respond to this changing landscape. Companies like Ford have long relied on those big V8s for their performance models like the Mustang and previous generation GT supercars. With V8s being harder to make for a global market, Ford must explore alternative approaches to designing and building high-performance Mustangs and other vehicles.
In part it comes down to a change in philosophy. Dave Pericak is in charge of Ford’s “icon” cars. Think models like the Mustang, GT supercar and the soon to be released Bronco. Pericak recently sat down with CNET Roadshow’s Sean Szymkowski at the Chicago Auto Show to talk about the future of Ford Performance cars. Ford unveiled the 2020 Ford GT at the show as well. That made it a perfect time to discuss the direction that fast Fords will be going in. Pericak told Roadshow that changing regulations are practically forcing performance cars out of the market. But Ford is working hard to ensure that buyers still have access to high-performance vehicles.
“Our job is going to be two-fold,” said Pericak. “One is to figure out how to continue to make performance that will exist in some of these regulated countries, even our own, and how do you do it so it’s a global offering?” One thing Ford does not want to do is design different vehicles for different global markets. 
Paricek also discussed how the younger generation of car buyers have different expectations than existing customers. Which is where the shift away from focusing on numbers comes into play. Instead, there will be more emphasis on how the driver interacts with the vehicle. “It doesn’t mean we still won’t make the car go like a bat out of hell,” Pericak told Roadshow, “But maybe (0-to-60 mph times) aren’t the way we talk about it.” The focus will be on how the driver engages with the way the vehicle accelerates and how much power it has. That actually sounds pretty good.
Pericak also hints that some kind of electric racing may be in Ford’s future. “We’ve been racing since (the company) was created and racing’s in our blood,” he said. But whatever type of additional racing Ford does decide to enter it has to bring something relevant back to the Ford company. Ultimately though Ford is definitely not taking any chances with the name that they have made for themselves in the global automotive industry. “What we would never do is compromise,” Pericak told Roadshow. “If it’s a Mustang, it’ll be a Mustang. Whatever is offered will be a Mustang and live up to the Mustang expectation.” It sounds like Ford’s performance cars are in pretty good hands for the moment. What do you think the future holds for high-performance Fords?
Photos: Ford
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