Sporty Ford Models to Keep Manual Gearboxes

Ford Motor Co. says it will continue to offer manual transmissions in the Mustang sport coupe and other select models.

Such gearboxes help create a sporty, fun-to-drive characteristic that must be maintained in certain current and future nameplates, Dave Pericak, director of enterprise product line management – Ford Icons, tells The Detroit Bureau. The goal, he says, is to make drivers smile when they’re behind the wheel.

Separately, Ford officials confirmed the company will unveil a Mustang-inspired electric crossover in November. Darkened renderings released last September indicate the crossover will feature several Mustang design cues, including a wide muscular stance, short rear and coupe-like roofline.

Due next year, the unnamed model is being developed by the company’s “Edison” EV team. The electric crossover will join the Mustang, Raptor performance trucks and next-year’s Bronco SUV under the Ford Icons group, which spearheads the marketing efforts for the storied nameplates.