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Rumor: Next Mustang To Be Front Wheel Drive, Drop V8 Completely

With the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang fast approaching, we have been using our extensive contacts in the auto industry and journalism minor degrees to try and dig out any and all details we can about the next-generation Mustang. We may have just hit a gold mine of information about the next Ford muscle car.

According to our sources, Ford has actually developed the 2015 Ford Mustang as a front wheel drive platform, with all-wheel drive as an option. Even more stunning though is the rumor that the 5.0 V8 engine has been dropped altogether, turning the Mustang into more of a sport compact tuner than a true muscle car.

While these rumors are hard to believe, our source (who goes by the codename “B.S.”), insists that Ford has to make the next Mustang a front-drive vehicle in order to meet upcoming fuel economy standard. He went on to tell us that this was a hard decision for Ford to make, but if the success of the Focus ST is any indicator, sports cars fans won’t mind much at all.

Then again, Ford is also rumored to be nixing the V8 engine, again having to do with fuel economy concerns, but also to promote the EcoBoost engines. Ford has invested heavily into the EcoBoost brand, yet the 5.0 V8 remains a more popular option than any EcoBoost engine. Ford has decided that the V8 engine no longer has a place in the Mustang lineup, and it will be replaced by turbocharged V6 engines. Only the Shelby GT500 will get a V8 engine option, and sources suggest that pricing will start north of $75,000.

Ford fans, sound off in the comments…is this a good idea or a bad one? Also, if you haven’t already figured it out yet, happy April Fools Day!