In Chicago last week, Ford debuted its revamped F-Series Heavy Duty lineup which introduced the brand’s new 7.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 gasoline engine. No power, performance, and efficiency numbers are available yet, but the Blue Oval expects it to be “the most powerful gas V8 in its class.”

Shortly after the premiere of the HD truck at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, MotorAuthority had the chance to chat with Ford spokesman Mike Levine who told the company the new motor can fit in both the current generation Mustang and F-150. That’s technically possible but does it makes sense at all? Not really.

Levine commented that the new V8 is a true truck engine with an iron block. While it uses a new cam-in-block, overhead valve architecture with forged steel crankshaft, it remains a powertrain that’s been designed especially with HD trucks in mind.

That means it’s too heavy for the Mustang and will affect its weight balance, so it’s probably safe to say Ford will never use it in the sports car. That doesn’t mean tuning companies won’t experiment though, as Levine predicted we will see the 7.3-liter V8 in the Pony at the SEMA this or next year.

Our colleagues at MotorAuthority claim we might see the new V8 under the hood of the F-150 but we are not going to put our money on that option. Even in that segment, manufacturers are, more or less, following the downsizing trend and it seems unlikely that Ford will go against the tide.

In the new Super Duty, the 7.3-liter V8 will work together with a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The same transmission will also be offered for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine which now uses a new fuel injection system. As a side note, the 10-speed auto is actually very similar to the ‘box that’s currently offered for the Mustang.

Source: MotorAuthority