Ford Mustang Goes Electric SUV
As we promised in an earlier blog, here's the new Ford Mustang. Ford just unveiled its long awaited, brand new Mustang. Mach-E, the Mustang inspired vehicle, is a fully electric SUV. 500 deposit is required - but, you'll have to wait awhile for delivery. The Mach-E is a 5-passenger crossover electric SUV with style and performance inspired by the original Mustang. The Mustang is an iconic vehicle, treasured by many, that dates back to the 1960's. The latest iteration on the Mustang theme was unveiled by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and actor Idris Elba in Los Angeles (photo above). 50,000 which experts say may give Tesla a run for its money. The vehicle has a range of up to 300 miles. Ford expects this electric SUV to be profitable from day one. The top of the line, high performance GT model has all wheel drive and does a zero-to-60 in 3 seconds.
Not surprisingly, demand for four-cylinder models shot up from 54 percent to nearly 68 percent of total deliveries. Sixes declined a little over a point to just below 30 percent, leaving V-8s at fewer than three percent. These shares stayed about the same for 1981, but on much lower volume of 182,552 units. Sharp price hikes didn't help. The 1980 Mustang was poised to get its performance groove back, and Ford was ready to prove it on the racetrack. Just as the original Mustang enjoyed a high-profile competition career, Ford gave strong indications during 1980 that it was about to get its performance act back together, with Mustang the star of the show. Hinting at what might lie ahead was a tantalizing "concept" attraction for that season's auto-show circuit: the Mustang IMSA. Powered by a much-modified turbo-four, this buff hatchback crouched low on ultra-wide Pirelli P7 tires hugged by outlandishly flared fenders.
Also featured were a grille-less nose, deep front air dam, loop rear spoiler, and competition-inspired pop-riveted plastic covers on the side windows and taillight panel. In name and appearance, the IMSA strongly suggested that Ford was more than just thinking about a return to competition -- and about the International Motor Sports Association GT series in particular. A decade after abandoning motorsports, Ford hinted at an imminent return with the 1980 Mustang IMSA comcept. This one-of-a-kind hatchback looked competition-ready. September 1980 brought more racy news as Ford announced formation of a Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division headed by Michael Kranefuss, summoned to Dearborn after serving as competition director for Ford Europe. The new outfit quickly got down to business with a turbo Mustang to be driven by former Porsche pilot Klaus Ludwig in selected 1981 IMSA GT events. Ford also provided direct support to other Mustang racers, backing a Trans-Am mount for Dennis Mecham and an IMSA Kelly American Challenge car for Lyn St. James. Announced in late 1980, the McLaren Mustang teamed Ford Design with McLaren Performance of Formula 1 racing fame.
Power was again provided by the turbo-four, but it was newly fortified with a variable boost control having a range of 5-11 psi vs. 5 psi. Rated output was 175 horsepower at 10 psi, a big jump over the 132-horse stock mill. 25,000 price tag and virtual hand construction limited McLaren production to just 250 units (including the prototype), but at least they were for sale. Few changes were made to the '81 Mustang, which was well-received overall. Changes to the 1981 Ford Mustang were modest. 874. The 131-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine was restricted to manual transmission, and then was quietly phased out, reportedly due to persistent driveability and reliability problems. The Cobra package for the 1981 Mustang was nearly identical to the previous year's package, but with a higher price tag. Mustang's main '81 news involved full availability of an optional five-speed overdrive manual gearbox for four-cylinder models, an item that had been phased in the previous season. Engineers sensibly specified a "shorter" 3.45:1 final drive versus the four-speed tranny's 3.08:1 cog for better off-the-line snap.
