As one of the most driver-focused vehicles in Ford’s line-up, the Mustang has been offered with a manual transmission for as long as it has been on sale, but lower demand for manuals among Mustang buyers have reportedly led to the four-cylinder car going auto-only.
According to US publication The Drive, buyers who opt for the entry-level EcoBoost model, will lose the option of a manual transmission, as the 2.3-litre turbocharged engine will be exclusively mated to the ten-speed automatic transmission.
News of this comes off the back of the launch of the latest S650 Mustang, which has retained the same engine options as the S550, with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and the iconic 5.0-litre V8.
The new EcoBoost-powered Mustang in silver
“If customers want a manual, we have it available with the GT and its new Gen IV 5.0-liter Coyote V8,” a Ford spokesperson told the American outlet.
In recent times, Mustang buyers have had the option of both transmissions over both models. The ten-speed automatic transmission came at a $3,000 premium.
Final power figures for the 2.3-litre and 5.0-litre engines in the incoming seventh-generation Mustang are yet to be released, but both are understood to gain power over their current 236kW and 339kW outputs respectively.
Three pedals will only be used to drive in the GT
A lack of buyer interest in manual-equipped EcoBoost models is why Ford decided to pull the pin on it, which comes as little surprise.
“In the current Mustang, approximately 10 percent of EcoBoost customers opt for a manual transmission compared to approximately 40 percent for the 5.0-liter V8,” Ford told The Drive.
At the recent launch of the S650 Mustang, it was confirmed that Australian deliveries wouldn’t start until late 2023. Along the same lines, Ford Australia recently paused Mustang orders, citing the global semiconductor issue as the reason.
With a dual-intake and dual-throttle body setup, the fourth-generation Coyote V8 is more potent than ever, offering over 355kW. Specifics surrounding the EcoBoost’s engine are still yet to be revealed.