Here's What the Next-Generation Ford Mustang Could Look Like

Photo credit: Andi Hedrick
Photo credit: Andi Hedrick

The Ford Mustang will turn 60 years old in 2024. Rumors have swirled that to mark the occasion, Ford plans to release the all-new Mustang next year. Known as the S650, this updated Mustang promises to bring a host of changes, including a refreshed appearance inside and out, as well as some new powertrains. Here is everything we know so far about the S650 generation Ford Mustang.

Update Sept. 14, 2022: The new Mustang has officially arrived. Find all the news here.

2024 Ford Mustang: Price and Release Date

Leaked documents initially suggested the S650 would debut in 2022 ahead of a 2023 on-sale date, though it appears the timeline has shifted a bit amid the current production nightmare. In an interview with Wheels, Ford’s Ali Jammoul suggested the S650 Mustang would arrive before the end of 2023 as a 2024 model year product.

Following a report from Automotive News, CEO Jim Farley confirmed on Twitter the 2024 Mustang will be revealed on September 14 at the Detroit Auto Show, sharing a short sound clip and confirming the manual transmission's return.

While we don’t have any official information to share at this time as far as pricing is concerned, we wouldn’t expect a major change going into the S650 generation. The Mustang continues to top the charts as one of the world’s best-selling sports cars. Expect entry-level pricing to begin around $30,000, with optional powertains and high-performance models carrying larger price tags.

What Is the S650 Mustang?

The debut of the S650 will mark the beginning of the seventh generation of the Ford Mustang. Like the S550 that preceded it, the new Mustang is expected to stick around for an eight-year production cycle, despite stricter emissions regulations due nationally in 2026. Rumors have persisted that Ford will underpin the S650 with its large RWD CD6 platform, which is currently employed by the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models. That said, bundles of spy photographs suggest that the new Mustang may be more of a refreshed model than was initially expected.

2024 Ford Mustang: A Revised Exterior

Many of the car’s physical hardpoints appear to mirror those of the current S550, particularly around the passenger cell and the roof. Despite being recognizably related to the S550, this new Mustang does bring new fascia treatments, as well as a much sharper form overall. The front grille appears much larger than before, and adopts a more hexagonal shape. The lower bumpers look as if they've adopted some Mach 1 elements, bringing a more aggressive look to the pony car. Overall the shape screams Mustang in the right ways, with enough tweaks to hide the aging platform hidden beneath. Considering Ford’s investment focus on the EV segment, it does make sense to borrow from the outgoing model in this instance. Spy photos have captured both coupe and convertible prototypes, each with varying levels of performance hardware affixed.

New and Familiar Powertrains Slated for S650 Mustang

Thanks to further comments by Jammoul, we already know that the venerable 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 is slated to return to the S650 Mustang. Jammoul noted that Ford is aware how much the engine matters to Mustang customers, and that Ford will continue to build it so long as there's demand. A similar sentiment was shared about the car’s six-speed manual gearbox, though the executive did admit the manual will inevitably go by the wayside. Whether that statement directly impacts the S650 will have to be seen. The automaker’s 10-speed automatic will undoubtedly make the jump to the S650. Expect to see the 2.3-liter EcoBoost make a return as well, where it should continue to serve as the entry-level powertrain. That said, a rumored hybrid model centered around the 2.3-liter could bring an enticing performance option for fuel-conscious customers. A hybrid variant of the Coyote is also rumored to be in the works, suggested by leak on LinkedIn. We also wouldn’t be shocked to see a high-performance variant utilizing the current GT500’s 5.2-liter Predator V-8, though that would likely have to come before the 2026 regulation change. An all-wheel-drive 'Stang was heavily rumored amid conversations surrounding the CD6 platform, though several reports have noted how that is unlikely if the S550 chassis is largely retained.

The New Mustang Gets a Nicer Interior

Spy photos of the S650 Mustang have shown its interior carries over little from the S550. The traditional dual-cowl dash, which harks back to the first generation models, is now replaced by a more horizontal unit. At the center of that dashboard now sits a larger infotainment display, which appears to be connected to an entirely digital instrument cluster. The car’s Sync 4 infotainment is backed by Ford’s new electrical architecture, which will bring amenities like over-the-air updates and the processing power necessary for a performance hybrid model. A single row of hard buttons now lives below the relocated climate vents, which suggests other functions have moved up to the infotainment screen. A new steering wheel has also been spotted on certain prototypes, featuring a squared-off bottom section. Not a dramatic departure from what we’ve seen before, but with just enough changes to make the S650 feel like a more modern place to spend time.

An Evolving Segment

The S650 Mustang will debut in a segment that would seem unrecognizable to its predecessor. The folks over at Dodge are bailing on internal combustion in favor of eMuscle in the near future, while the fate of the Chevrolet Camaro seemingly remains in flux. That means the Mustang could be the last of the muscle cars to retain a V-8 engine, which just might prove important to buyers. Whether or not Ford’s competitors are successful in reworking their own offerings, it does seem fitting that the Mustang isn’t going down without one last fight.

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