AEM Gives a Sneak Peak at Tesla-Powered Fifth-Gen Mustang
By Edward A. Sanchez – Aug. 15, 2021
For decades, performance has been characterized by cubic inches, forced induction, close-ratio transmissions, and loud, boisterous exhaust notes. Then along came Tesla, the silent assassin, and began vanquishing rivals at drag strips. All of a sudden, the good ol’ boys that trash-talked electrics for all those years started to pay attention. The latest company that’s started paying attention is AEM, the Southern California-based tuner that gained fame in the import tuning community, especially for its Honda performance parts. Over time, AEM branched out to cover a broader part of the performance market, and just this year, was acquired by Holley.
AEM’s latest skunkworks project has been dubbed by some as the “Testang,” a fifth generation S197 Mustang, with a Tesla Model S Performance rear motor. Compared to a standard Mustang GT of the era, the Model S motor represents an increase of 170 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque.
Lawson Mollica, AEM’s long-time marketing director along with sales development associate Hunter Brabham, managed to sneak the Testang out of the R&D garage for a spin around the block. The car is still in the prototype stage, as it still doesn’t have working air conditioning and a few other creature comforts. But drivability didn’t seem to be the problem, as the instant torque squirted the Mustang down the street with gusto.
The car also serves as a showcase for AEM’s products its developing specifically for EV applications, including its CD Carbon Digital display, and Digital CAN Keypad controller, among its growing portfolio of EV performance products.
Aside from the lack of AC, the Mustang seems pretty refined and sorted. This is certainly an encouraging case study for EV restomods and powertrain integration. Holley’s EVI division, which collaborated with legendary drag racer Don Garlits on his Swamp Rat 38 EV dragster, is slowly emerging from stealth mode, having just applied for a trademark for the Holley EVI logo in May.
The rear end of AEM’s S197 Mustang is a little different.
Unfortunately, EV restomods are currently characterized by high costs, and kind of a “weird science” sometimes cobbled-together approach, and having to improvise and fabricate a lot of components from scratch to adapt modern EV motors and battery packs to conventional platforms. With greater resources and attention from the aftermarket, hopefully in time, custom car builders’ toolboxes will have many more options to help them integrate EV technology into classic cars.
Although certainly not the first EV restomod, AEM’s Testang concept at least is a promising proof-of-concept for owners of newer cars that are interested in performing an EV conversion. We can’t wait to see what’s coming next from AEM and Holley.
(Images courtesy AEM)
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