When the S550 Ford Mustang was first released for the 2015 model year, it came with the 50th Anniversary edition trim (but technically the original Mustang was a ’64 1/2 model year). So we could very well see the S650 Ford Mustang coming with some kind of celebration of 60 years of the beloved muscle car at its launch. Moreover, speculation is that the reborn icon will debut on April 17, the day the original Mustang was revealed at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It would be fitting, and very apropos for Ford to do, as the brand likes to tie in major milestones with its vehicles. Especially icons such as the Mustang and Bronco. The timeline also lines up well with the 2023 New York Auto Show, which takes place April 7-16 of next year.
Expected for the 2024 model year, the S650 Ford Mustang is well on its way through the development stage as we have recently seen a group of pony cars at the top of a mountain altitude testing. As MC&T first reported last fall, the 2024 Ford Mustang will utilize a revised version of the current model’s S550 architecture, and is being internally referred to as the S650 platform. Think of it as an evolutionary muscle car, rather than revolutionary. That being the case, the S650 Mustang will be the last V8 muscle car standing by the end of the decade.
S650 Ford Mustang: Additional Details
As for the S650 Mustang powertrain, we can expect a 2.3L EcoBoost turbo four and 5.0L Coyote V8 at launch, the same as what we currently see. A higher-performance model is also expected for the 2024 model year Mustang, and could be anything from a new Mach 1 to a reborn Boss 302.
Following the 2024 model year, a Shelby GT500 is expected to return, while an eventual refresh could usher in some hybridization for the Mustang. Additionally, several patent filings suggest that Ford may introduce fun technology such as remote controlled engine-revving with the S650 Mustang, as well.
The S650 Ford Mustang will have a long lifecycle of eight years or so, similar to the S550 generation. After that, reports have already indicated that the Mustang will become electric by 2030. While that seems like an incredibly long way away, the clock is constantly ticking, and it will be here before we all know it. We’re hopeful that hydrogen combustion pans out by then, which could solve many problems that electric cars are currently facing, specifically with recharging times. Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis are all messing with the technology, so it could very well happen.
