A sign of the times, future forward, whatever you want to call it, it’s a pretty big announcement. The Chevrolet Camaro’s longtime rival, the Ford Mustang, is receiving a hybrid variant. The sixth-generation Camaro has continually romped on similarly equipped Mustangs on the track since its launch, and continues that pattern with the 2017 Camaro ZL1. The performance benefits of electrification are well documented, so this could be Ford’s attempt to leapfrog the Chevy Camaro, which has no plans to go hybrid has far as we know.
Ford Authority reports that the Blue Oval will debut at hybrid pony car in 2020, likely when the Mustang will undergo other significant changes, or possibly be all-new by that time. The Mustang hybrid announcement was coupled with a $4.5 billion commitment for the future of Ford propulsion methods in conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles; Ford officially plans for 13 new electrified vehicles by the end of the decade.
Ford states the Mustang hybrid will arrive with V8 power and will receive “even more low-end torque” thanks to electric motors. The automaker did not go into further specifics on the 2020 Ford Mustang hybrid, but we can imagine fuel economy improvements will be present, too.
With these sorts of innovations on the horizon in the pony car segment, it’s safe to say the rivalry between the Camaro and Mustang is not slowing down any time soon.
Comments
The question is, can the alpha platform fit a hybrid system into it?
yes, Cadillac will have it first.
But that’s just Omega isnt it?
I haven’t seen anywhere that the Mustang hybrid will be powered by V8, only that ‘it will have V8 power’. Did I miss something?
Six cylinder engine with these hybrid system.
Very interesting offering! This’ll truly make a huge impact on the pony car segment, if done right, of course. Taking the pony car to a level it’s never been. The truth is, with declining sales in coupes, this is perhaps the best companies can do to boost appeal against the tide of SUVs and crossovers. Fiat-Chrysler is offering an AWD option for the Challenger, which is good! And now Ford is prepping a hybrid Mustang, so it naturally begs the question what GM has in store for the Camaro.
The next question: will the new Mustang offer AWD? My guess is that it will, given that most high performance hybrids are AWD.
As far as Camaro getting a hybrid, I think it could easily be done. If the next Camaro stays on Alpha (or at least shares a platform with Cadillac), then it is entirely possible. JDN has said that he wants to offer hybrid and electric powertrain options to its future vehicles, and not necessarily stand alone electric vehicles. If Cadillac gets the engineering down on platforms like Alpha, a hybrid powertrain option on the Camaro could easily move forward.
Cadillac is already working on these new gen alpha chassis.
gm’s new gen full size trucks and full size suv’s will get these same kind of chassis development as these omega chassis, corvette c8 me chassis, next gen midsize pickup trucks chassis will get too. These C8 corvette ME will have a PHEV, eAWD. Camaro will and so will these full size trucks/SUV’s, have a hybrid system.
Gm is working a eAWD system, I haven’t hear any more about it, but I know they are.
For this to work in the Mustang it needs to have as good or better performance than the regular V8.
They also need to price it in the same range as the V8 car.
If the performance is similar and the price is higher I do not see many going for this.
Performance car people are not much for hybrids systems as they generally cost more and in a car like a Mustang few can modify them let alone afford to modify them.
When they can buy a new model and call Summit Racing to buy a Supercharger they are happy.
I have wondered how long till people attempt to modify EV cars and who will be the first to electrocute themselves.
The bottom line is most Muscle car and Pony car fans are going to only be interested in the performance aspect here as few are worried about MPG or the Green movement.