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Eugene

(62,627 posts)
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 11:29 AM Nov 2019

Ford built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we're mad.

Source: TechCrunch

Ford built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we’re mad.

Kirsten Korosec @kirstenkorosec / 3:27 pm EST • November 5, 2019

Ford wants the world to take notice of its plans for electric vehicles. And what better way than to build an all-electric Mustang fastback with a six-speed manual transmission?

And that has us angry over here because it’s a gigantic tease of a prototype that will never make it into production. Or least that’s what Ford is saying.

Ford and Webasto revealed Tuesday the “Mustang Lithium” high-performance battery electric vehicle at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. The vehicle is a one-off, meaning this won’t hit the marketplace anytime soon, if ever.

Ford does say this electrified Mustang is more than just a prototype. It’s also a testbed for battery and thermal management technologies Webasto and Ford are creating for the growing e-mobility automotive segment. So maybe there is a chance?

The vehicle has a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters powered by an 800-volt Webasto battery system. The package produces 900 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, ensuring its muscle car status. The vehicle has custom carbon fiber body components, a 1.0-inch lowered stance and 20-inch staggered fitting forged wheels, according to Ford.

-snip-


Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/05/ford-built-an-electric-mustang-with-a-manual-transmission-and-were-mad/


Image Credits: Ford
21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Ford built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we're mad. (Original Post) Eugene Nov 2019 OP
Betcha Jay Leno nykym Nov 2019 #1
0-60 is likely "Ludicrous" level lapfog_1 Nov 2019 #2
Will someone kindly explain the usefulness of a... TreasonousBastard Nov 2019 #3
small dicks pangaia Nov 2019 #4
So they can repeatedly fondly Miguelito Loveless Nov 2019 #5
I will never buy a stick again Cartoonist Nov 2019 #6
Some of us still drive and like nanual transmissions. Thouh i think this 900hp beast is a one off. CentralMass Nov 2019 #7
Why? Cartoonist Nov 2019 #8
For a number of reasons. I enjoy driving with a manial transmission and I like the simplicity of the CentralMass Nov 2019 #9
Huh? Cartoonist Nov 2019 #10
Clutch replacement is WAY cheaper then automatic transmission replacement. EX500rider Nov 2019 #15
I guess it depends on the car Cartoonist Nov 2019 #16
I guess it depends on what you consider "life of the car" EX500rider Nov 2019 #17
Not now flotsam Nov 2019 #12
Well, when you look at a car Popcorn Samurai Jan 2020 #19
You can't enjoy driving Cartoonist Jan 2020 #20
Then I guess Popcorn Samurai Jan 2020 #21
Sticks are good with smaller horsepower engines ... Auggie Nov 2019 #11
I agree that sticks are a lot more fun in some cases... TreasonousBastard Nov 2019 #13
This is an apples to oranges comparison ... Auggie Nov 2019 #14
I'm kind of confused myself. mahatmakanejeeves Nov 2019 #18

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
3. Will someone kindly explain the usefulness of a...
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 11:48 AM
Nov 2019

6 speed in a car that can break all US speed limits in 4 seconds.

CentralMass

(15,503 posts)
9. For a number of reasons. I enjoy driving with a manial transmission and I like the simplicity of the
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 02:46 PM
Nov 2019

design.
Manual transmissions are less expensive and at least in my experience last me the lifetime if the vehicle with little or no maintenance costs.

Cartoonist

(7,517 posts)
10. Huh?
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 02:50 PM
Nov 2019

Are we talking about the same thing? Simplicity? You've got a stick and an extra pedal. Ever had your clutch replaced? It ain't cheap

EX500rider

(11,433 posts)
15. Clutch replacement is WAY cheaper then automatic transmission replacement.
Mon Nov 11, 2019, 12:50 PM
Nov 2019

My last one was around $400 in my Focus, an AT will cost thousands.
And manuals usually have better gas mileage and acceleration.

Cartoonist

(7,517 posts)
16. I guess it depends on the car
Mon Nov 11, 2019, 01:48 PM
Nov 2019

My Ford Ranger sold the clutch as a kit for $700. Add labor to that. Add it a few more times as it needs to be replaced routinely. Most automatics last the life of the car.

Cartoonist

(7,517 posts)
20. You can't enjoy driving
Wed Jan 29, 2020, 07:02 PM
Jan 2020

Unless you get to shift the gears yourself? I'd rather use my hands and feet for something else.

Auggie

(31,775 posts)
11. Sticks are good with smaller horsepower engines ...
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 03:56 PM
Nov 2019

a little more "oomph" when merging onto freeways and going up hills.

I believe (in theory) they get slightly better gas mileage.

Test drove a small 4 cylinder VW with manual and auto. No contest -- manual won out.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
13. I agree that sticks are a lot more fun in some cases...
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 09:42 PM
Nov 2019

but I'm not sure I need to double clutch into a drift on my way to get a quart of milk.

I had 2 standard Beetles over the years and they were vastly superior to the oddball automatics VW insisted on foisting upon us. However, modern transmissions are nothing like that old 2 speed Powerglide I had in a '60s Malibu. Or like old Beetle slushboxes.

A modern 8 to 10 speed auto is incredibly smooth and actually gives better gas mileage. Downshifts are faster, too. And even the modern "rubber band" transmissions are becoming respectable.

Back to my original comment-- electric cars have so much low end torque that they often don't need much of a transmission at all.

Auggie

(31,775 posts)
14. This is an apples to oranges comparison ...
Thu Nov 7, 2019, 06:29 AM
Nov 2019

I bought my car 19 years ago. My Golf drive train has 220,000 miles on it after 19 years, and is on its second clutch. This little car is quite a trooper. I've never regretted the stick. The auto version with the same engine was a dog.

I agree with the electric assessment -- seems silly to offer a manual transmission.

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,744 posts)
18. I'm kind of confused myself.
Mon Nov 18, 2019, 12:55 PM
Nov 2019

Does this thing have one big electric motor going through a transmission that sends power mechanically to the wheels? Isn't that missing the whole point of electric cars?

I guess I need to read more about this.

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