The iconic Ford Mustang has lived through numerous iterations of the vehicle. With the advent of battery powered electric vehicles, it is set to see another evolution too. What¡¯s even more interesting is that the electric car will also retain its manual transmission post its electrification!
That, however, is not for the mass market Mustang-inspired electric Ford make confirmed by the company recently. Instead, the electric Mustang with manual transmission will be a one-off production, meaning no chance for anyone to get their hands on it. It doesn¡¯t cost anything to look at it and admire though.
Ford Mustang Lithium?(Image: Ford)
'Mustang Lithium,' as the joint project by Ford and Webasto is being called, comes as a high-performance battery electric vehicle. Unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas, the Mustang Lithium is meant to be a test make for the companies¡¯ battery and thermal management technologies.
The said battery used in the Mustang Lithium is a 800-volt Webasto system. Powered by it are Phi-Power dual-core electric motors and dual power inverters. In numbers, the system is enough to churn out 900 horsepower and 1356 Nm of torque.
Ford Mustang Lithium (Image: Ford)
The highlight still remains to be the six-speed manual transmission though. After all, it is not everyday that you see a manual transmission on an electric car. In fact, electric cars almost never appoint a manual transmission, for the simple reason that the torque is readily available in these vehicles right from the start, rendering a transmission system useless.
So did Ford have any strong reason to go for a manual transmission on its electric Mustang? Not on the performance front. But given that the Mustang has always been a favourite of the enthusiasts, its electric make also has to be something that engulfs all the major amusements of driving. A ¡®stick¡¯ is definitely included in that.
Webasto 800V battery system on Mustang Lithium (Image: Ford)
As for other highlights of the Mustang Lithium, the 800-volt battery system will also mark a rare arrangement seen only on the Porsche Taycan before this. Aston Martin is another player who is eyeing such a system, with its upcoming electric car RapideE. Benefits - faster charge flow i.e. faster charging than the regular systems. Ford, however, has not mentioned the range of the battery system for now.
Ford Mustang Lithium interiors (Image: Ford)
Ford Mustang Lithium also comes as a living embodiment of Ford¡¯s electric vision. Having aimed for the hybrid vehicles at first, the auto major has been working towards a completely electric lineup since last year, having announced an investment of $11 billion for 16 all-electric vehicles by 2022. A Mustang inspired all-electric SUV as well as an electric version of Ford¡¯s iconic pick-up truck F150 will be a couple of them for sure. As for Mustang Lithium, let us just say we wish for it to become a reality. Driving an electric with manual gear shifts, now that is something we surely would not want to miss out on!?