With 2023 approaching fast, speculations for future car launches have already started raining down on the automotive industry, and for 2023, one of the most highly anticipated launches is the upcoming S650 generation of the Ford Mustang. The Mustang will officially turn 60 in 2024, and with that, Ford plans to bring the seventh-generation of this iconic American muscle car which could very well be the end of the line for V-8-powered Mustangs. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming 2024 Ford Mustang.
S650 Mustang Debut: April 17, 2023
Early speculations and leaks revealed a 2022 release for the 2023 model year Ford Mustang range, but amid the ongoing chip shortage and other production hang-ups, the timeline has shifted significantly. The delays now point to a release date which is scheduled for the 17th of April, 2023 release date, where the S650 generation of the Mustang will come with a whole host of noteworthy updates and it will be launched as a 2024 model year car to celebrate the Mustang's 60th anniversary. The range should not see any steep rise in price, so expect the 2023 Ford Mustang to carry a starting price of just over $30,000.
It Will Retain The Same Engines
Downsizing has hit the auto industry hard and everything from the latest C43 AMG to the McLaren Artura have all moved to smaller displacement engines with lower cylinder counts in a bid to satisfy strict European regulations. Mustang loyalists feared that the new generation will get rid of the naturally aspirated V-8 in favor of maybe the twin-turbo V-6 that powers other top-shelf Fords like the F-150 Raptor and the GT, but thankfully, Ford has confirmed that the current crop of engines which include the 2.3-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost and the beloved 5.0-liter Coyote V8. However but the engine is said to lose 10 horsepower, courtesy of a beefy exhaust setup that's again a byproduct of stricter emissions regulations.
New Platform
Even though Ford is carrying over the current crop of engines for the 2024 Mustang, the rest of the car will be all-new from the ground up. For starters, speculations suggest that Ford will adapt its CD6 Platform for the new Mustang, which is its large RWD platform that underpins vehicles like the Ford Explorer. Spy shots of the new Mustang look like a mild evolution rather than a revolution over the outgoing S550 Mustang but the new underpinnings do open up the possibility of an all-new suspension setup and the possibility of hybridization. But, one thing is for sure, the use of this large SUV platform practically guarantees that the upcoming Mustang will grow in size.
Hybrid Power On The Horizon
As discussed above, the upcoming S650 generation of Mustang will be based on Ford's CD6 platform. This Platform currently underpins cars like the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, both of which offer the option of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Though Ford makes use of a 3.3-liter turbo V-6 for these hybrid mid-size SUVs, the Mustang could pair the 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine to a hybrid setup powering the front wheels to create the first-ever AWD hybrid Ford Mustang.
An AWD Mustang?
The aforementioned CD6 platform is the biggest highlight of the all-new Mustang. This platform which was designed with modularity in mind is now being revised to fit the upcoming S650 Mustang so that means the future Mustangs can entertain the possibility of incorporating an AWD system similar to the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. This will be a feasible move since the 2024 Mustang is expected to be bigger, thanks to the new CD6 platform, with the addition of an AWD variant will be more appealing to people with small families and residents of colder regions and it could take on the fight to the Dodge Charger AWD which is currently the only AWD muscle car on sale.
Test Mules Caught In The Wild
With 2024 approaching, it's all hand on deck at Ford and the team responsible for the 2024 Ford Mustang. Testing at this stage is a crucial endeavor for any manufacturer and Ford seems to be at it, with heavily camouflaged S650 Mustang prototypes seen testing on multiple occasions in the past few months. By the looks of it, the Mustang will retain its signature long hood and short tail with familiar lines, but expect to see heavily revised details like all new lights, bumpers, etc. In addition, vague interior shots of the upcoming mustang also show new tech incorporated into a familiar-looking dashboard and cabin design which all fits well with the Mustang's old-school image.
No EV Muscle Car
Early speculations were running wild with claims of an all-new, all-electric Mustang Coupe arriving in 2023, but it's safe to say that the only EV carrying the Mustang badge will be the Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover, at least until 2028. The new Mustang's CD6 platform is not the preferred choice for a full EV conversion, but the possibility of a hybrid and even a PHEV is highly likely since Ford and Lincoln both offer hybrid and PHEV versions of SUVs that use the very same platform as the upcoming 2024 Mustang.
Last Supercharged Predator
Even though Ford has managed to save the much-loved Coyote V-8 from the emissions regulations, it might not be the case with Ford's flagship Mustang, the Shelby GT500. The GT500 Mustang is a near $80,000 beast that packs a mighty 5.2-liter supercharged V-8, known as the Predator, under its hood that makes 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. This is a showcase of what the Mustang platform is truly capable of, but unfortunately for future generations, this mighty V-8 that returns abysmal fuel economy of around 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway is destined to die with the S550 generation. It will be too expensive and ultimately unprofitable for Ford to try and adapt this engine to comply with the current emissions norms.
FAQ
Q: Will the 2023 Ford Mustang be redesigned?
Yes, the upcoming S650 generation of the Ford Mustang which is expected to arrive in 2023 will be based on a new modular platform with a complete redesign.
Q: What will the 2023 Ford Mustang look like?
The 2023 Ford Mustang will be an evolution of the existing design with plenty of familiar elements but it will be a complete redesign from the ground up.
Q: Will there be a 2024 Mustang?
Expected to be released in 2023, the upcoming S650 generation could be introduced as a 2024 model year Mustang.
Q: Why does the 2022 Mustang have 10 less horsepower?
To meet stricter European emissions standards, the upcoming 2023 Mustang is expected to get a more aggressive exhaust and a catalytic converter which will result in a 10 horsepower drop over the outgoing model.
Q: Will the next-gen Mustang have a V8?
Yes, the 2023 Mustang range will carry forward the existing 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine and the beloved 5.0-liter Coyote V8 from the outgoing Mustang albeit with a few revisions.