However, a new report claims an electrified Mustang that has long been suspected but never confirmed is in development. And it may arrive in the near future.
Ford Is Reportedly Developing The Hybrid Mustang
Ford Authority, citing "sources familiar with the matter," is reporting that Ford is currently testing an S650 hybrid model. The internal codename is S650E. Development has entered the "Technology Prove-Out" stage, which means there are electrified Mustang prototypes being tested. The outlet was unclear on whether Ford is testing a conventional or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Ford declined to speculate on future products to CarBuzz. However, the brand reiterated an earlier statement that "by the end of the decade, we expect to offer hybrid powertrains across the entire Ford Blue lineup in North America." The last time we checked, Mustang was most decidedly part of the Ford Blue lineup in North America.
Ford typically goes a long time between launching new Mustang generations. The S550 remained in production from 2015 to 2023, and that was the shortest interval between Mustang generations since 1979. Ford debuted the S650 Mustang for the 2024 model year, though the bones were largely the same as the previous model. One could reasonably conclude that if Ford plans to introduce a hybrid Mustang by 2030, it would likely be a variant of the current S650 model.
Ford CEO Jim Farley Has Been Bullish On The Idea Of A Hybrid Mustang For A While
Ford obviously opted not to launch the S650 Mustang with a hybrid variant. But back in 2023, Jim Farley noted that there would be "grey degrees of partial electrification" and that he could see a "world-class" Mustang coupe with partial electrification.
"We cannot keep saying [companies are] all-electric or all-hybrid, and there's nothing in between. That's baloney. There's going to be lots of grey degrees of partial electrification that's still good for the planet. You can still have that emotional experience. I think that's where we're going to be for a while. So when you say, 'Could it be a fully electric Mustang coupe?' No, probably not. But could there be a partially electrified Mustang coupe, and it be world-class? Yeah."
- Jim Farley, Ford CEO
Farley also noted to Autocar in 2024 that Ford had been testing hybrid powertrains for performance applications. “We’ve been testing and we really do believe partial electric powertrains work well for performance drivers," Farley said.
Ford doesn't need a hybrid to meet emissions standards. The brand had already set itself up to mitigate CAFE fines. Mustang Mach E sales, which have been on par with, if not exceeding, those of the combustion Mustang, provided Ford with leeway to keep the 5.0-liter V8 Mustang in production (while other manufacturers were phasing V8s out). And the Trump administration has effectively eliminated CAFE penalties, at least in the short term.
Without the pressure of emissions fines, Ford could follow Porsche's lead with the 911. We could see the brand launch the hybrid Mustang as a higher-performance variant while keeping the traditional 5.0-liter V8 as an option.
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