Automobile Enthusiasts
Related: About this forumFord built an electric Mustang with a manual transmission. And we're mad.
Source: TechCrunch
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 its a gigantic tease of a prototype that will never make it into production. Or least thats 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 wont hit the marketplace anytime soon, if ever.
Ford does say this electrified Mustang is more than just a prototype. Its 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.
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Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/05/ford-built-an-electric-mustang-with-a-manual-transmission-and-were-mad/
Image Credits: Ford
nykym
(3,063 posts)will get one.
lapfog_1
(30,085 posts)TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)6 speed in a car that can break all US speed limits in 4 seconds.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Miguelito Loveless
(4,645 posts)a phallic object while going "Vroom! Vroom!"
Cartoonist
(7,517 posts)Why do they even make them?
CentralMass
(15,503 posts)Do you still have one of those cranks on the front to turn over the engine to get it started?
CentralMass
(15,503 posts)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)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)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)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.
EX500rider
(11,433 posts)In my experience AT's last somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles...and then you are looking at 2 to 3 grand.
I can get the clutch kit for my Focus as cheap as $85 and labor $2 to $300 if you don't go to the dealer.
https://www.ebay.com/i/132886701098?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=132886701098&targetid=484372162559&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012122&poi=&campaignid=1498383093&mkgroupid=60666402667&rlsatarget=pla-484372162559&abcId=1139446&merchantid=136037703&gclid=CjwKCAiAqqTuBRBAEiwA7B66hQcZewFA3cgs50Wb-NrzCaelhLIrfbm3tteRGvSywSPDtA-TLqFc0xoChIgQAvD_BwE
but my first car did (1958 Triumph TR3).
Popcorn Samurai
(30 posts)do you see something to be driven and enjoyed or do you see an appliance?
Cartoonist
(7,517 posts)Unless you get to shift the gears yourself? I'd rather use my hands and feet for something else.
Popcorn Samurai
(30 posts)you aren't an enthusiast, whatever, to each their own.
Auggie
(31,775 posts)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)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)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)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.