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We caught a Mustang test car leaving Ford’s Dearborn test track that has one subtle, but interesting detail that could signal testing of the long-rumored hybrid powertrain applied to the pony car.
The Mustang mule in question appears to be an EcoBoost model that looks like any other Mustang, except for three things: the Homer Simpson caricature drawn in the dirt on its hood, the interesting testing gear applied to the steering wheel, and a bright yellow sticker plunked prominently on its nose, dead-center above its grille. The sticker reads: “MOTO TRUCK FROM REAR ONLY.” The rear-end has a number of stickers, as well, but nothing that gives any special handling protocols. This is where the speculation begins.
MOTO TRUCK?
Let start with the term “MOTO TRUCK.” An internet search brings up no examples of this term, to get a pinpoint definition. However, it seems to us that “MOTO TRUCK” could very likley be related to a “pallet truck”, a motorized way to move heavy loads. This could be a pallet full of heavy automotive parts, but pallet trucks can also be used to maneuver cars around a garage, using a lifting mechanism and a motor to move the vehicle without starting the car. If this is what “MOTO TRUCK” is referring to, let’s go on to the rest of the note.
FROM THE REAR
The Mustang is instructing its handlers to move it “FROM (the) REAR ONLY.” Using a pallet truck—or MOTO TRUCK—from the rear would raise the rear wheels off the ground, thus rolling the front wheels only. This restriction could point to the presence of an electric motor, as pushing an EV and rolling its drive wheels is generally verboten, as it can damage the EV drivetrain, or build up a charge that could lead to a fire. For example, excerpts from the Telsa Model 3 manual states: “Never tow Model 3 with the tires contacting the ground, even for short distances. Doing So can cause signficant damage.” And a later passage reads: “Do not attempt to use Transport Mode to tow Model 3 with the tires on the ground. Transport Mode can prevent damage only when used for a limited time and speed, and for a very short distance, such as when you pull Model 3 onto a flatbed truck. If you are unable to activate Transport Mode, you must use self-loading dollies or tire skates to prevent tires from turning as you pull Model 3 onto a flatbed truck.”
RWD Hybrid?
Traditionally, a rear-wheel-drive car getting a performance hybrid upgrade would see an electric motor added to the front wheels, resulting in an AWD set-up. The Corvette E-Ray is the perfect example of such a transition. If there is anything to the speculation we’re applying to this Mustang prototype, Ford could be taking a completely different approach to maintain a rear-wheel-drive set-up. If this Mustang prototype can only be MOTO TRUCKed from the rear, thus lifting the rear wheels, it suggests that any EV motor would be affecting the rear wheels, keeping it rear-wheel-drive. A look to Porsche’s approach on its 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid gives one example of how Ford could add a performance hybrid assist to the Mustang and retain rear-wheel-drive.
Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid Shows RWD Hybrid Feasibility
Porsche’s hybrid approach to the 911 is unique, in that it adds two electric motors in unconventional ways. One E-motor spools up an exhaust turbocharger to eliminate lag, while a second E-motor is integrated within its transmission to apply additional power directly to the wheels, allowing the retention of a rear-wheel-drive set-up, with the option of AWD. We don’t know exactly what Ford may be plotting for a hybridized Mustang, but the Porsche example shows that a RWD Mustang hybrid is feasible, and could allow for the interesting guideline stickers present on this EcoBoost Mustang test car.
Ford executives have promised hybrid-electric options across its entire model-range in its step back from broader EV programs, so we know that Ford should be working on its plan for the electrically-assisted Mustang variants. There could be another reason for the unique handling guidelines plastered on this test mule’s nose, but the presence of an electric motor seems to be a plausible explanation, at the very least.
The Mustang mule in question appears to be an EcoBoost model that looks like any other Mustang, except for three things: the Homer Simpson caricature drawn in the dirt on its hood, the interesting testing gear applied to the steering wheel, and a bright yellow sticker plunked prominently on its nose, dead-center above its grille. The sticker reads: “MOTO TRUCK FROM REAR ONLY.” The rear-end has a number of stickers, as well, but nothing that gives any special handling protocols. This is where the speculation begins.
MOTO TRUCK?
Let start with the term “MOTO TRUCK.” An internet search brings up no examples of this term, to get a pinpoint definition. However, it seems to us that “MOTO TRUCK” could very likley be related to a “pallet truck”, a motorized way to move heavy loads. This could be a pallet full of heavy automotive parts, but pallet trucks can also be used to maneuver cars around a garage, using a lifting mechanism and a motor to move the vehicle without starting the car. If this is what “MOTO TRUCK” is referring to, let’s go on to the rest of the note.
FROM THE REAR
The Mustang is instructing its handlers to move it “FROM (the) REAR ONLY.” Using a pallet truck—or MOTO TRUCK—from the rear would raise the rear wheels off the ground, thus rolling the front wheels only. This restriction could point to the presence of an electric motor, as pushing an EV and rolling its drive wheels is generally verboten, as it can damage the EV drivetrain, or build up a charge that could lead to a fire. For example, excerpts from the Telsa Model 3 manual states: “Never tow Model 3 with the tires contacting the ground, even for short distances. Doing So can cause signficant damage.” And a later passage reads: “Do not attempt to use Transport Mode to tow Model 3 with the tires on the ground. Transport Mode can prevent damage only when used for a limited time and speed, and for a very short distance, such as when you pull Model 3 onto a flatbed truck. If you are unable to activate Transport Mode, you must use self-loading dollies or tire skates to prevent tires from turning as you pull Model 3 onto a flatbed truck.”
RWD Hybrid?
Traditionally, a rear-wheel-drive car getting a performance hybrid upgrade would see an electric motor added to the front wheels, resulting in an AWD set-up. The Corvette E-Ray is the perfect example of such a transition. If there is anything to the speculation we’re applying to this Mustang prototype, Ford could be taking a completely different approach to maintain a rear-wheel-drive set-up. If this Mustang prototype can only be MOTO TRUCKed from the rear, thus lifting the rear wheels, it suggests that any EV motor would be affecting the rear wheels, keeping it rear-wheel-drive. A look to Porsche’s approach on its 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid gives one example of how Ford could add a performance hybrid assist to the Mustang and retain rear-wheel-drive.
Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid Shows RWD Hybrid Feasibility
Porsche’s hybrid approach to the 911 is unique, in that it adds two electric motors in unconventional ways. One E-motor spools up an exhaust turbocharger to eliminate lag, while a second E-motor is integrated within its transmission to apply additional power directly to the wheels, allowing the retention of a rear-wheel-drive set-up, with the option of AWD. We don’t know exactly what Ford may be plotting for a hybridized Mustang, but the Porsche example shows that a RWD Mustang hybrid is feasible, and could allow for the interesting guideline stickers present on this EcoBoost Mustang test car.
Ford executives have promised hybrid-electric options across its entire model-range in its step back from broader EV programs, so we know that Ford should be working on its plan for the electrically-assisted Mustang variants. There could be another reason for the unique handling guidelines plastered on this test mule’s nose, but the presence of an electric motor seems to be a plausible explanation, at the very least.
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