Early last year, Ford announced plans to introduce a hybrid version of the Mustang in 2020. Since then, we’ve learned a little bit more about the hybrid Mustang, but it’s never been clear what kind of powertrain it would use. Thanks to a recently published patent application, we may have our answer.
This patent application, originally discovered by the sleuths at AutoGuide, describes a system where an internal combustion engine drives the vehicle’s rear wheels, while two electric motors power its front wheels. It doesn’t specifically mention the Mustang, but based on the description, it sure sounds like an obvious application.
“Methods and systems are provided for a hybrid electric vehicle including a front-wheel drive system and a rear-wheel drive system. In one example, the rear-wheel drive system includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, and the front-wheel drive system includes a first electric motor and a second electric motor mounted directly to opposing sides of the engine. The first electric motor is coupled to a first reduction gearbox to drive a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the second electric motor is coupled to a second reduction gearbox to drive a second front wheel of the vehicle.”
What’s even more interesting, is that if you look at the images Ford used in its application, they show a V-8 engine. If this really is the system Ford plans to use for the hybrid Mustang, then this is further evidence that it will use a V-8 instead of something smaller and more efficient. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information in the application to make any guesses about how much power it will make. But you’d think a V-8 hybrid would make more power than the non-hybrid V-8, right?
Hopefully, we’ll find out more as the year goes on. It may only be January, but if the Mustang hybrid is scheduled for a 2020 launch, we’d like to think the official reveal isn’t too far away.
Source: AutoGuide
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from Motortrend http://bit.ly/2COXfLy
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