Gang of youths: Why V8 fans should celebrate the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E and embrace the new, hi-tech coupe

Ford's decision to build the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV caused an uproar amongst die-hard Blue Oval fanatics - but it also saved the V8-powered coupe.

Ford management knew the Mustang needed to be more 'youth friendly' to ensure it didn't suffer declining sales as the core buyers increased in age, while also keeping up with the demands of governments for low-emissions vehicles. Which is why there were rumours for years that Ford was planning an electric Mustang coupe and convertible for this new 'S650' generation model.

Instead, the company launched the Mach-E, which was designed to appeal to the same youthful audience as the original Mustang did in 1965, but younger buyers in 2023 want space and practicality as well as performance - thus the Mach-E SUV was created.

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According to Jim Owens, Mustang Brand Manager, the success of the Mach-E paved the way for Ford to double-down and invest in updating the internal combustion engines for the new two-door Mustang - the 5.0-litre V8 and 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo EcoBoost.

But Ford also overhauled the technology in the Mustang, introducing an all-new double digital display, running the Unreal Gaming graphics technology, to increase the youth appeal for the coupe and convertible too.

In Australia Ford will have a harder time appealing to the youth market due to the higher relative cost of the imported Mustang.

"The focus group stuff that we did, it's kind of funny, the younger audience said: 'it's about time' and 'oh, this is cool'. They personalise their technology and this is how they've grown up and they loved it," Owens said. "My age, we did the focus group, and one of them was quoted as saying 'I think we could launch a rocket from this thing' [laughs].

"We think the technology will help us bring in that younger audience, but at its core it's the ones who have a desire to be in a sports car and one with an internal combustion engine. And I think we've proven with the launch of the seventh-gen, with an all-new 2.3-litre… and our fourth-generation Coyote powertrain, we've invested in those powertrains because we have a Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Package if you want to choose electric and we have the internal combustion versions, so I think that's what's going to draw people in."

There were rumours for years that Ford was planning an electric Mustang coupe and convertible for this new ‘S650’ generation model.

The Mustang has a longer history in the US, with the large car parc of older models often bought by younger Mustang fans as their first car. Which is why the new digital instrument display includes a throwback to the Fox Body model of the 1980s, which has a strong following with younger buyers, according to Owen.

The more affordable, and arguably more modern, EcoBoost engine is another element that appeals to the younger demographic.

Ford’s decision to build the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV caused an uproar amongst die-hard Blue Oval fanatics.

"It's not surprising, the EcoBoost is younger [buyer type], by and large," Owens said. "Mach 1 was pretty much the older one of all of them, that's because Mach 1 was a heritage name, looking back. I shouldn't say 'older' - it had the least percentage of younger [buyers]."

In Australia Ford will have a harder time appealing to the youth market due to the higher relative cost of the imported Mustang. The EcoBoost is expected to carry a price increase over the outgoing model, which will push it closer to $60,000.

The more affordable, and arguably more modern, EcoBoost engine is another element that appeals to the younger demographic.