The next mustang will have a V-8 and manual gearbox, and it could be the last great American muscle car
by Josh Conturo, onThe Ford Mustang is an undeniable icon of the American automotive landscape and is one of Ford’s most profitable vehicles considering it is the only car they make, excluding pickup trucks and SUVs. We were all expecting a new Mustang to be announced sooner rather than later but on July 27, 2022, Ford CEO, Jim Farley, posted a tweet that confirmed the 7th generation pony car will debut at the Detroit auto show on September 14, 2022, but there was more than meets the eye.
What we know about the 7th Gen Pony car
Excited to confirm that we’ll unveil the all-new, seventh-generation @FordMustang September 14 at the Detroit Auto Show. It’s a stunning car and I’m excited to share it with the world! 🐎 #SaveTheManuals pic.twitter.com/d2kdQioBWY
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) July 27, 2022
The tweet read, "Excited to confirm that we’ll unveil the all-new, seventh-generation @FordMustang September 14 at the Detroit Auto Show. It’s a stunning car and I’m excited to share it with the world! #SaveTheManuals."
There was also a video included in the tweet that confirmed the 7th generation, codenamed S650, will offer a 6-speed manual gearbox as the inside of the letter O in "Generation" contained a 6-speed H-pattern graphic. The background sound for the video was from a V-8, more than likely from the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8.
We also know the 7th-gen will go into production in 2023 with a release date later that year as the 2024 model. Additionally, there will be a hybrid version included somewhere in the lineup.
What we expect it to be like
In terms of styling, we expect to be more of an evolution of the current design rather than a complete re-design as the exterior of a new 6th gen mustang does not look particularly outdated at all. But it will almost certainly appear edgier and more aggressive, probably with fancier headlights and a different grille.
We have seen numerous spy shots of the S650 undergoing tests while covered in camouflage and under wraps. Including a glimpse of the interior which is covered in more screens than the current model with a digital gauge cluster that appears to morph into the infotainment.
While this is not confirmed, we do expect the same engines to carry over. That means the option of either the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder capable of up to 330 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque or the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 capable of 480 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.
It is also possible we will see more diverse versions of the Mustang since the Camaro 1LE will be discontinued in 2024 and after that, there will not be a muscle car hell-bent on amazing handling and track capability. A perfect opportunity for the blue oval to build a track-focused Mustang.
Source: Ford Twitter
