Ford built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we're mad.

[Eugene]

Source: TechCrunch

Ford built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we’re mad.

Kirsten Korosec @kirstenkorosec / 3:27 pm EST • November 5, 2019

Ford wants the world to take notice of its plans for electric vehicles. And what better way than to build an all-electric Mustang fastback with a six-speed manual transmission?

And that has us angry over here because it’s a gigantic tease of a prototype that will never make it into production. Or least that’s what Ford is saying.

Ford and Webasto revealed Tuesday the “Mustang Lithium” high-performance battery electric vehicle at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. The vehicle is a one-off, meaning this won’t hit the marketplace anytime soon, if ever.

Ford does say this electrified Mustang is more than just a prototype. It’s also a testbed for battery and thermal management technologies Webasto and Ford are creating for the growing e-mobility automotive segment. So maybe there is a chance?

The vehicle has a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters powered by an 800-volt Webasto battery system. The package produces 900 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, ensuring its muscle car status. The vehicle has custom carbon fiber body components, a 1.0-inch lowered stance and 20-inch staggered fitting forged wheels, according to Ford.

-snip-

Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/05/ford-built-an-electric-mustang-with-a-manual-transmission-and-were-mad/


Image Credits: Ford

[nykym]

1. Betcha Jay Leno

will get one.

[lapfog_1]

2. 0-60 is likely "Ludicrous" level

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Will someone kindly explain the usefulness of a...

6 speed in a car that can break all US speed limits in 4 seconds.

[pangaia]

4. small dicks

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. So they can repeatedly fondly

a phallic object while going "Vroom! Vroom!"

[Cartoonist]

6. I will never buy a stick again

Why do they even make them?

[CentralMass]

7. Some of us still drive and like nanual transmissions. Thouh i think this 900hp beast is a one off.

[Cartoonist]

8. Why?

Do you still have one of those cranks on the front to turn over the engine to get it started?

[CentralMass]

9. For a number of reasons. I enjoy driving with a manial transmission and I like the simplicity of the

design.
Manual transmissions are less expensive and at least in my experience last me the lifetime if the vehicle with little or no maintenance costs.

[Cartoonist]

10. Huh?

Are we talking about the same thing? Simplicity? You've got a stick and an extra pedal. Ever had your clutch replaced? It ain't cheap

[EX500rider]

15. Clutch replacement is WAY cheaper then automatic transmission replacement.

My last one was around $400 in my Focus, an AT will cost thousands.
And manuals usually have better gas mileage and acceleration.

[Cartoonist]

16. I guess it depends on the car

My Ford Ranger sold the clutch as a kit for $700. Add labor to that. Add it a few more times as it needs to be replaced routinely. Most automatics last the life of the car.

[EX500rider]

17. I guess it depends on what you consider "life of the car"

In my experience AT's last somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles...and then you are looking at 2 to 3 grand.

I can get the clutch kit for my Focus as cheap as $85 and labor $2 to $300 if you don't go to the dealer.

https://www.ebay.com/i/132886701098?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=132886701098&targetid=484372162559&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012122&poi=&campaignid=1498383093&mkgroupid=60666402667&rlsatarget=pla-484372162559&abcId=1139446&merchantid=136037703&gclid=CjwKCAiAqqTuBRBAEiwA7B66hQcZewFA3cgs50Wb-NrzCaelhLIrfbm3tteRGvSywSPDtA-TLqFc0xoChIgQAvD_BwE

[flotsam]

12. Not now

but my first car did (1958 Triumph TR3).

[Popcorn Samurai]

19. Well, when you look at a car

do you see something to be driven and enjoyed or do you see an appliance?

[Cartoonist]

20. You can't enjoy driving

Unless you get to shift the gears yourself? I'd rather use my hands and feet for something else.

[Popcorn Samurai]

21. Then I guess

you aren't an enthusiast, whatever, to each their own.

[Auggie]

11. Sticks are good with smaller horsepower engines ...

a little more "oomph" when merging onto freeways and going up hills.

I believe (in theory) they get slightly better gas mileage.

Test drove a small 4 cylinder VW with manual and auto. No contest -- manual won out.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. I agree that sticks are a lot more fun in some cases...

but I'm not sure I need to double clutch into a drift on my way to get a quart of milk.

I had 2 standard Beetles over the years and they were vastly superior to the oddball automatics VW insisted on foisting upon us. However, modern transmissions are nothing like that old 2 speed Powerglide I had in a '60s Malibu. Or like old Beetle slushboxes.

A modern 8 to 10 speed auto is incredibly smooth and actually gives better gas mileage. Downshifts are faster, too. And even the modern "rubber band" transmissions are becoming respectable.

Back to my original comment-- electric cars have so much low end torque that they often don't need much of a transmission at all.

[Auggie]

14. This is an apples to oranges comparison ...

I bought my car 19 years ago. My Golf drive train has 220,000 miles on it after 19 years, and is on its second clutch. This little car is quite a trooper. I've never regretted the stick. The auto version with the same engine was a dog.

I agree with the electric assessment -- seems silly to offer a manual transmission.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

18. I'm kind of confused myself.

Does this thing have one big electric motor going through a transmission that sends power mechanically to the wheels? Isn't that missing the whole point of electric cars?

I guess I need to read more about this.