The Ford Mustang is set to go hybrid according to reports from the US, as emissions regulations threaten the legendary sports car’s future. 

The iconic sports car is currently offered with a 5.0-litre V8 or a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with the V8 in particular under increasing pressure from tightening emissions regulations around the world. 

According to Ford Authority, a hybrid version of the current S650 generation Mustang is in the works, codenamed ‘S650E’, with prototypes having reached the ‘prove-out stage’.

No details or specifics were mooted, but the Mustang may follow the path of another legendary sports car, the Porsche 911, which was introduced with its first hybrid powertrain in 2024. 

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The 911 hybrid kept its famed ‘flat’ six-cylinder petrol engine as Porsche added its ‘T-Hybrid’ tech, including an electric turbocharger, to reduce emissions yet keep the sports car’s attributes. 

Similarly, the Mustang’s 5.0-litre V8 engine is part of its folklore – as referenced in pop culture, such as Vanilla Ice’s 1991 hit, Rollin’ in my 5.0 – with hybrid tech enabling it to live on a little longer. 

Ford Australia introduced a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its best-selling Ranger dual-cab ute earlier this year, using the same 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Mustang EcoBoost.

As a classic rear-drive, two-door performance car, Ford has previously said the popularity of the Mustang, the world’s best-selling sports car in 2024, meant emissions legislation was its biggest threat going forward.