The muscle car market is quite sparse these days. Aside from the Ford Mustang, which boasts powerful gas-guzzling engines (the Mach-E doesn’t count), what else makes a bold statement? Nothing at all. And Ford plans to continue producing internal combustion engines, particularly the thunderous V8, until regulations force a change.
But let’s be honest: it’s unclear when those regulations will actually take effect. Consider the Real ID Act, which was enacted in 2005 and intended to be implemented by 2008. Nearly two decades have passed, yet I still pass through TSA checkpoints without needing that fancy federal gold star on my driver’s license. So, as for the various ICE bans and deadlines for electric-only vehicles announced by cities, states, and automakers? Ford is not worried.
“[Ford CEO] Jim Farley has said, and we agree, that we’re committed to our V8,” stated Laurie Transou, Ford Mustang’s global chief engineer, according to the Australian publication Drive. “As long as there is demand for our V8, we will continue to produce it.”
Now, it’s not that I don’t appreciate clean air—of course, I do; breathing is essential. However, we have learned that these self-imposed zero-emissions deadlines are not strict timelines, but rather soft suggestions. Recently, several automakers (such as General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo) have begun to reverse their claims of having 2030 EV-only lineups. Additionally, in Europe there has been a recent pushback against the 2035 ban on new ICE vehicles.
Yet, until such regulations are set more firmly in place, Ford sees no reason to abandon a product that continues to thrive and attract interest. The Mustang Dark Horse, equipped with a 5.0-liter V8, is capturing attention and hearts alike. With 500 horsepower, it offers a throaty growl that the Mach-E simply cannot emulate. Then there’s the Mustang GTD, which features a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that churns out over 800 horsepower for high-performance tracks like Nürburgring.
“We are consistently assessing our customers’ preferences to ensure we meet their needs,” Transou mentioned. In addition to the V8, Ford will maintain the manual transmission option. “As long as there’s a market and demand for manual transmission, we will continue to offer it,” Transou added.
Ford is not the only company committed to its legacy. Pagani will keep producing V12 engines, and Bugatti is open to electrification—provided it still includes a V16. Ultimately, it all comes down to consumer demand, which could determine whether a brand thrives or simply survives.
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