Spied! Is This Ford Mustang Prototype a Hybrid or a Wingless GT500?

Considering that Ford gave the Mustang a mid-cycle refresh for 2018, we thought Ford might take a break from testing heavily camouflaged prototypes for a little while. But then reader Eric Cheyne saw this Mustang testing in Wixom, Michigan. Clearly, Ford is testing something, but what is it?

We know Ford plans to reveal the new GT500 soon. We also know Ford’s developing a hybrid Mustang that will go on sale in 2020. So is this the GT500, the Mustang Hybrid, or something entirely different?

 

Up front, the prototype’s massive splitter, bulging hood, and huge grille opening look a lot like what we’d expect to see on the new GT500. But in Ford’s official teaser video below, the GT500 can clearly be seen with a large rear wing that the Mustang in these photos doesn’t have. It’s also wearing a lot more camouflage than we’d expect on a variant that’s already been confirmed and may be revealed at the New York auto show next month.

Since it won’t go on sale until 2020, it would make much more sense for this to be the Mustang Hybrid. But that performance-focused front end doesn’t look like it has fuel economy in mind at all. And according to the reader who sent in the photos, it sounded like the prototype had a V-8 under the hood, not a turbocharged four like you might expect from a hybrid Mustang. Then again, Ford could also be working on a Ram eTorque-style hybrid setup to boost the V-8’s gas mileage.

Of course, this Mustang might not be a hybrid or a wingless GT500. It could be something else entirely. But either way, we’ll be on the lookout for more information.

Source: Eric Cheyne

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