Ford Mustang: Long live the king of the pony cars

Over the past five years I’ve been blessed with driving just about every configuration of the sixth-generation pony car. This includes the base EcoBoost four and former V6, in addition to the Coyote-powered 5.0L V8 in GT, CS (California Special), Bullet, Shelby GT350/500 form.

Mustang EcoBoost. Images and video courtesy FORD.

I’ve tested 6-speed manuals as well as 6-speed (now 10-speed) automatics. Each had a personality all its own; and it would be difficult to say which one I’d like parked in my garage. A lot of that would depend on budget constraints but given that cost is no object I’d be crazy not to choose the ultimate Shelby.

The ‘Stang received significant, yet subtle updates for the 2018 M/Y, so there’s still little to distinguish the difference between it and the 2019. I’m not expecting a lot for the 2020 and possible 2021 models. However, beyond that it could get interesting.

In case you’ve been living under a rock (or just not keeping up with the happenings with Ford), the automaker has decided to ditch its entire line of passenger vehicles. This includes the full-size Taurus all the way down to the compact Fiesta. And even though SUVs are vehicles that buyers are clamoring for, Ford has finally decided to retire its MPV Flex, which hasn’t seen much major updates since its launch a decade ago.

So, the Mustang lives on as the sole passenger car amid Ford’s superb line-up of trucks and ‘Utes. Yes, yes, a Chinese built Focus is still in the picture, but its future is uncertain. Before President Trump’s talks of tariffs, Ford made the decision to cease production of the Focus built in Mexico and begin building, in China, a version of the next generation Focus for the global market. Because things are still dicey the 2020 Focus Active crossover may never see these shores.

Another rumor (are you ready for this) has been a Mustang-inspired crossover, initially referred as the Mach I. That went well – not— to all the Mustang enthusiasts (think Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Ford Mustang II and Probe). If you ever wanted to piss off a ‘Stang groupie that’s the way to do it.

Update: The Mustang Crossover in question made its formal debut at this years’ LA Auto Show. Turns out it was a Tesla Model 3 contender, known as the Mach E. Despite being controversial, it was the star of the show and the first model year being sold out.

Mustang, after all, has always been about fun and the passion for driving.

One thing that is predictable is the Mustang is due for a seventh generation. What that will consist of at this time is anyone’s guess. Could it mean less emphasis on V8-powered models in lieu of hybrids, and even EV’s? The Coyote 50L V8 would be sadly missed, especially with FCA continuing with its Hemi, and GM with its fabulous LS pushrod powerplants.

Whatever Ford calls the Mustang-inspired EV model, it will pack a fully electric powertrain. Few details about the setup are available, but the Blue Oval intends to offer two range options: over 300 miles (484 kilometers) for the base trim, and as much as 373 miles (600 kilometers) for the top tier edition. There would also be a high-performance version, but it’s not clear whether this is a separate option from the two battery packs or part of the upgrade to the long-range model.

Assuming Tesla is around in a few years, This Mustang could be cannon fodder for the Model 3 sedan, as well as the Model Y crossover.

Of course, this would just be one-half of the Mustang’s eventual fate, there’s still the question of how many models the Mustang could spin off. Besides the tried and true fastback coupe and convertible, could this include a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback, or God forbid a crossover (like Ford needs another CUV to compete with models like its Escape or Edge)?

Rumors are beginning to swirl about the next-generation Mustang. Word is that around 2026, the current Pony car we all know, and love, may die. Speculation suggests that in its place will come a much larger model on Ford’s CD6 platform, which underpins the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator.

The move to the new platform means the Mustang would get larger and heavier, suggesting that the larger platform would be on par size-wise with the current generation Dodge Challenger (which is not exactly a good thing). Mustang fans who are into track days and road racing already know that the current model is a tad too heavy.

The next-generation Mustang will reportedly undergo its biggest alteration in the model’s history, by adopting a platform used by some of the Blue Oval’s crossovers. In fact, there have been internal talks of spawning a personal-luxo Lincoln IX, based on the Mustang GT.

According to a reliable source, Ford will migrate two more models to its CD6 platform with the Edge crossover by 2021, leaving room for one more vehicle to migrate. The next Mustang, reportedly code named S650, is expected to follow sometime thereafter, corroborating prior rumors that claimed the same timeline.

The culmination of all these rumors is yet another rumor, and this one is almost a certainty no matter the size of the future Mustang. Besides the jump to the CD6 platform, the ‘Stang could sport all-wheel-drive. A hybrid version has been spotted possibly with a V8 driving the rear axle and an electric motor driving the front axle. Ford, like Toyota/Lexus, has proven it can make impressive horsepower and torque with its respected powerplants.

Sources reportedly said the CD6-based Mustang could arrive as soon as the 2026 model year (possibly as early as 2025), or as far out as the 2029 model year. Sharing platforms between the Mustang and its crossover offerings would naturally reduce development and manufacturing costs, allowing this niche model, again Ford’s only remaining passenger car, to remain financially viable for a longer period.

The S650 Mustang reportedly would swell to proportions near those of the current Dodge Challenger, which will allow Ford more leniency for fuel economy and emissions ratings. Though the Mustang and Challenger are practically the same widths today, the S650 is said to come in closer to the Challenger’s length, and potentially, even its height. Yet the Challenger is set to go on a diet for its next redo.

Ford will reportedly tide the current S550 Mustang over until the new model is ready. To do this, Ford will reportedly give it another refresh, this time a more major mid-cycle update, complete with platform updates and all-new bodywork, even though there’s no official estimate as to when this will be announced.

Word is that a more powerful Mustang EcoBoost is coming for 2020 M/Y, and a hybrid is said to follow anytime between 2020 to mid- 2022, pointing again to the mid- 2020s as a likely date for the launch of the updated pre-CD6 Mustang.

The upside to a larger platform that supports SUVs is that it will give the Mustang room for the long-rumored four-door version to possibly break cover. There are a lot of Mustang purists who would never buy a four-door version of America’s favorite pony car. The same scenario played out in the late 1970s and early 1980s by diluting the Dodge Charger from the previous Monaco and Mercury Montego to the Cougar.

There are a bunch of Mustang fans out there with families who can’t justify the current two-door design with a barely usable rear seat. If the Mustang must grow, it would seem natural that a 4-door option would spawn out of it. However, a Mustang sedan or crossover would seem to be a travesty.

It would certainly be interesting for the street/strip guys needing to haul kids during the week and run the drag strip on the weekend (think Dodge Charger Hemi). I embrace the idea of a hybrid Mustang, not for fuel economy alone, but because if it’s anything like Toyota/Lexus Hybrids, it would be okay in my book.

During the week I drove the current Mustang GT, I was listening to one of my favorite Classic Country stations on XM/Sirius Satellite radio. Playing was Waylon Jennings’ “Bob Wills is Still the King”. That suddenly made me realize that the ‘Stang is still the “King” among its Pony Car brethren. After all, it’s the model that coined the term.