Ford Mustang Lithium Drivetrain and Performance
This is where the Mustang Lithium stands out from the pack. This muscle car draws juice from a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters, both powered by an 800-volt Webasto battery system with EVDrive Technology that can discharge a megawatt of electrical energy. The 800-volt battery has twice the voltage of most EVs on the road today, so it’s supposed to be more efficient and provide more range.
Even the range-topping Tesla Model S has a system voltage of just 400 volts.
Ford claims that the Mustang Lithium comes with more than 900 horsepower and more than 1,000 pound-feet of torque on tap. In other words, the Ford Mustang Lithium has more power and torque than any existing production Mustang, including the cool Shelby GT500. This EV is also more powerful than the bespoke Shelby Super Snake Mustang, so it’s a proper muscle car despite not having a supercharged V-8 under the hood. The EV is equipped with Ford Performance’s Track Handling Pack and strut tower brace, as well as Brembo six-piston front brakes from the Shelby GT350R.
Ford uses a drag-strip proven Calimer-version of the Getrag MT82 six-speed gearbox with billet internals to handle the 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Ford Performance half shafts and Super 8.8 Torsen differential help send power to the wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for extra grip. There is no word on weight, however, with such a large battery, one has to assume that it’s a bit heavier than the standard Mustang but will still probably be significantly quicker than even he GT500- at least off the line, anyway.
Although just a concept, the Mustang Lithium is also being used as a testbed for Ford’s new battery and thermal management technologies. Developed in cooperation with Webasto, these features will probably make it into future Ford EVs, including the upcoming Mustang-inspired SUV, the Mach E..
Ford Mustang Lithium Exterior
Design-wise, the Mustang Lithium is identical to the Mustang GT save for a few add-ons here and there.
Made from carbon-fiber, it features “Lithium” lettering in the center. The lower grille insert and the vertical trim in the main upper grille are also made from carbon-fiber. The front hood is by far the coolest new element. Made by Webasto, it has two polycarbonate windows on each side of the central bulge, which features an electronic circuit design with dark and light blue colors.
The profile is a regular production Mustang if you ignore tiny details like the carbon trim in the side skirts and the custom 20-inch, multi-spoke wheels with blue brake calipers behind them. The Mustang Lithium also sits one inch lower than the regular Mustang. The same goes for the rear end, which is similar to the regular Mustang save for the redesigned diffuser. The latter is made from carbon-fiber but, more importantly, it doesn’t incorporate exhaust pipes. Yes, a Mustang without tailpipes sounds like a weird idea, but the electric drivetrain doesn’t need outlets to evacuate gas, so it makes perfect sense.
Ford Mustang Lithium Interior
The interior is also similar to the production Mustang, but Ford added baby blue trim on the A/C vents, instrument cluster gauges, steering wheel, door panels, and center console. And yes, it’s blue because it’s what most automakers use to highlight an electric car. The dashboard features a carbon-look upper section (I doubt it’s actual carbon-fiber), and a brand-new infotainment display. The screen is much larger than the unit in the regular Mustang at 10.4 inches, but it’s also mounted vertically in the center stack.
It displays extra information related to the car’s electric drive and battery, but it also provides access to a unique set of drive modes, including Valet, Sport, Track, and Beast. A plate mounted on the passenger-side dashboard includes a chassis number, Webasto’s logo, and a representation of the Lithium as a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number three. A cool idea!
Conclusion
I bet some Mustang enthusiasts are annoyed by the idea of an all-electric version of this muscle car, but it’s a brilliant idea now that carmakers are hard-pressed to reduce their CO2 footprint.
It’s amazing that EVs can generate this much power nowadays and it’s really no reason to get upset over an electric motor in a historic nameplate. It ensures its survival, and that’s all you can hope for in this day and age.