Ford Mustang Lithium: 900 horsepower, over 1000 lb-ft of instant torque, and a stick shift

Having put $500 million into EV startup Rivian earlier this year, Ford is investing a total of more than $11.5 billion in electrified vehicles by 2022, starting with the Mustang-inspired electric SUV in 2020, and an all-electric F-150 coming “in a few years.” When an electric Mustang would enter production remains an open question, but it shouldn’t be as far down the line as some V-8 fans may imagine. Enter the Mustang Lithium, which just bowed at SEMA. 

Built in collaboration with Webasto, Ford’s Mustang Lithium project is powered by an 800-volt battery system featuring Webasto’s EVDrive Technology, which is capable of discharging a megawatt of energy. Sent to a Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters, you’re looking at a peak output of 900 horsepower and over 1000 lb-ft of instant torque, all sent through a six-speed manual gearbox. Just ’cause.

To handle such forces, Ford went for the drag-ready Calimer-version of Getrag’s MT82 gearbox, as well as Ford Performance half-shafts and a Super 8.8 Torsen differential. Custom wheels, sticky Michelins, and Ford’s Track Handling Pack completes the package, which includes a strut tower brace, the six-piston Brembos off the Shelby GT350R, side splitters and a rear diffuser by Sankuer Composite Technologies, plus Webasto’s hood with see-through polycarbonate windows. The Mustang Lithium also sits an inch closer to the ground on staggered-width 20-inch forged wheels.

Inside, there’s a custom 10.4-inch touchscreen, giving you torque delivery options such as Valet, Sport, Track, and… BEAST.

No word on whether the Lithium will limit that whopping torque through the first three gears… so one can only hope for silent, smoky madness.