Ford’s Definitive Performance Car Could Get Its Most Controversial Change Ever

A Mustang sedan will certainly ruffle the feathers of fans just as much, if not more, than the Mach-E.

Dark gray sports car performing a burnout with smoke around the rear tires on a paved surface.

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Published 3 hours ago

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Ford is reportedly very serious about spawning a new sedan off of the Mustang. Multiple reports indicate the Dearborn automaker is lining up its ducks to make another controversial move with its most iconic sports car.

Over the years, Ford teased the idea of making a four-door sedan version of the Mustang. But none of them really seemed to come to fruition or gain any traction.

Now, however, the concept is gathering steam. Several external circumstances are all leading to a road that could spawn a four-door Dearborn pony car.

SUV fatigue is real

White Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV parked on sandy ground near a "P" parking sign with mountains in the background. — Buyers are apparently getting tired of SUVs, which has Ford pondering the possibilites.

It was just a few years ago when Ford discontinued its entire car lineup. That left just SUVs and trucks in the mix, which made industry analysts believe that sedans are dead. Particularly, here in America and in the wake of the relentless demand for high riders.

But such is apparently not the case. Ford, and several other American automakers, recently expressed interest to revisit sedans for future model ideas. They also cited dwindling demand for SUVs as buyers are apparently getting tired of them.

With demand supposedly increasing for low-riding four-doors, and other external factors, Ford is keen on revisiting its controversial idea of adding an extra pair to the Mustang coupe.

A potential new global performance sedan

White electric SUV driving on a coastal road with tinted windows and black roof spoiler. — Ford seriously ruffled some feathers with the launch of the Mustang Mach-E, but it’s easily become one of the best-selling modern Mustangs of all time.

A few months ago, CEO Jim Farley expressed his desire to build a new, “affordable,” rear-wheel-drive sedan. But he mainly aimed his remarks at the Australian market, where the Dearborn’s regional division produced the Falcon.

The Falcon was a popular mainstream sedan for the Australian market and it even has an enthusiast fanbase. That’s because the Falcon has always been a performance bargain, being a cheap, rear-wheel-drive sedan with an optional V8.

Orange and white Ford sedans with black wheels parked on a road with leafless trees in the background. — CEO Jim Farley pledged to revive the Falcon for the Australian market, and that could lead to a new global performance sedan.

But Ford discontinued the Falcon a decade ago to focus on SUVs and trucks. With the renewed interest in sedans, however, the Falcon could return. And, it could even potentially pave the way for a Mustang sedan on our shores.

Ford’s been running a global product strategy for the past couple of decades. The automaker essentially streamlined its product lineup to reduce production costs. The strategy also made nearly all of its models the same in every regional market (barring area-specific safety regulations, such as lighting details).

Black Ford SUV driving on a city street with modern white buildings and palm trees in the background. — One of Ford’s defining product strategies has been the unification of its model range globally.

For instance, our previous generation Escape SUV was developed by Ford Europe and sold elsewhere as the Kuga. The last-gen Fiesta subcompact and Focus were also Ford Europe byproducts. Our Fusion sedan was also a European-market Mondeo adapted for North America.

If Ford returns with a Falcon, it could very much port the model over to our shores as a Mustang sedan.

Expanding the Mustang nameplate

sFord’s been entertaining the idea of a four-door Mustang sedan for quite some time.

Ford

The idea of a Mustang sedan hasn’t been sitting well with traditional fans. But after the introduction of the Mach-E, Ford believes there’s more potential.

“We have a really great Mustang that people consider a car. We look to expand on the Mustang family as we move forward,” Ford product executive, Andrew Frick, recently told AutomotiveNews.

“I think, for us to do it, it’s going to have to make sense within our portfolio,” Frick continued. “It’s going to have to make sense within a family that we may already offer. And it’s going to have to be very cost-effective for us to do it.”

Gray Ford Mustang GT with 60 Years badge driving on a road with blurred green trees in the background. — Do you think a Mustang sedan has potential?

However, the specifics remain to be determined as Ford’s product planners are still unsure whether to pursue the all-electric route. Or, stick with gas power, but with electric assist, to make a hybrid.

The Falcon’s return also remains a rumor as Ford still is figure the proper path forward. But either way, the idea of a new four-door performance sedan from Dearborn is still alive and well.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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