Table of contents
Introduction
In a world of electric vehicles, downsized engines, and alternative powertrains being sourced, Ford says no. Ford wants to keep making us affordable v8 engines. In a bold marketing announcement, Ford told the world that they will never get rid of the V8 engine in the Ford Mustang. This is a huge statement compared to their rival, Dodge, who removed V8s altogether in their cars and trucks, like the Ram RHO.
Ford CEO Jim Farley wants the world to know what the Mustang’s V8 is compelling to racing enthusiasts and is a flagship of the Ford brand. “What other car in the world races on six continents on any given weekend? And that’s because we have a V8 engine,” Farley inquired, per Motor1.
Ford’s racing teams, including the Australian Supercar Series, GT3, GT4, and NHRA Drag Racing teams, will be sporting V8 engines in their cars. To me, this is huge because the current technology is pushing a lot of manufacturers to produce smaller hybrid or electric powerplants for their cars.
Ford’s Current Lineup
Ford currently has a product lineup consisting of their crossover SUVs, iconic F-series pickup trucks, and the Mustang. Personally, the F-Series trucks (minus the current lightning) and the Mustang are the only ones appealing to me. Crossover SUVs are a dime a dozen and the Mach-E, while a fun car, does not appeal to me.
The majority of F-Series trucks out there are using the ecoboost V6 engines. However, you can order a V8 with any trim level F-series truck. I love that Ford gives us the option. So many manufacturers today lock us into a small amount of options. The Mustang, which honestly should only have a V8, is an American icon. The 5.0 Mustang GT is the best affordable V8 sports car out there. It has great power, handles very well, and has an amazing aftermarket.
Ford producing affordable V8 options is key to representing their heritage. Despite being a GM guy, I have always loved some of the things Ford has come up with. Obviously, the experience with my Focus ST was amazing. The S550 Mustang, however, was a very awesome car to drive. I have yet to try the S650 firsthand, but it has the makings of a great generation Mustang.
Why Are Affordable V8 Engines Important?
Maybe its the American in me, but V8 engines are something special. The exhaust note, the power production, and the simplicity of them are intoxicating. Whether its in a truck, a sports car, or a full size sedan, I love them all. Having an affordable V8 engine option is even better. Nowadays, cars are getting pricey. Many enthusiast cars are going between 40k and 60k without dealer markup. For most enthusiasts, its too much for our budget. Where Ford really benefits is their Mustang’s price point. The Mustang GT starts just under $43,000. Take into consideration what you’re getting: a 490 horsepower engine, 6 speed manual or the insanely fast 10 speed automatic. Your $43,000 GT will compete or beat many cars on the road. Now, if you decided to modify the car, the Mustang can do very well for not a lot of money.
Affordable V8s, like the Mustang GT, are awesome too because they are so reliable. So many cars on the road equipped with a V8 continue to last for hundreds of thousands of miles. Unfortunately, you don’t see many hybrid or electric vehicles lasting that long.
While it’s sad to see Ford being the lone wolf amongst the American Big 3, I’m happy to see that CEOs are still thinking about the fanbase.
What Else Did Farley Have To Say?
Jim Farley has been awesome in his transparency with Ford’s products. Most notably, Farley came and spoke out about their EV lineup, specifically the Lightning. When Farley took the Ford Lightning on a road trip, he called it a “reality check”. While EV technology is becoming more widespread, it has its limitations. This is where I think Farley sees their market for affordable V8 engine options. If Ford is the last true V8 sports car option, they will dominate the market.
“Mustang is going to celebrate its 60th anniversary coming up here,” said Farley. “A lot of our competitors have left. They’ve come and gone. We never did that. We’ve always been there with Mustang. 60 years, and it’s changed over time. We have EcoBoost, we have the Dark Horse now, and we’re going to continue to invest. And if we’re the only one on the planet making a V8 affordable sports car for everyone in the world, so be it.”
What Does Powershift Auto Think?
American car enthusiasts and affordable V8s go hand in hand. Its depressing to think of the Camaro, Challenger, and Charger being electrified automotive appliances rather than sports cars. Sadly, even the Corvette may be seeing the removal of its V8 option.
While I admit, I dislike EVs, its not without cause. The environmental benefits are overreported for EVs without consideration of Lithium mining. Also, disposing the batteries just screams landfills to me. Rather than make everyone go to electric vehicles, why not keep them on the road longer. You can’t convince me the 1990 Toyota Camry pushing 400k miles is polluting the world more than a new Tesla. Anyways, I digress.
Overall, I hope other manufacturers will look to Ford and how they uphold their brand. I think its awesome they’re trying to stick to their roots with the Mustang GT.
Conclusion
Ford is sticking to their guns and keeping the affordable V8 sports car alive. The Mustang has and always will be an American icon. Throughout time, it has evolved with the changing world and has adapted for almost 60 years. With the epic machines Ford has made, such as the Mustang GTD, the V8 remains the best option. Other manufacturers may try to switch it up with hybrid, smaller displacement engines, or EV powerplants, but the true judge will be the sales numbers and reviews from the consumer. Only time will tell if Ford is a maverick amongst the crowd, or an old dog refusing to learn new tricks.
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