Only One Of Its Kind, This Electric Ford Mustang 'Lithium' Has 6-Speed Manual Transmission

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!