Everyone has forgotten something at some point. We’ve all left the house without our cell phones, or might have forgotten to bring clothes to the cleaners; unfortunately, what Ford has been able to miss, forget, or just plain not do, to the new S650 Mustang is mind-boggling. The frequently asked questions usually begin with, ‘why did they do this or why did they do that’ but the main question in the design of Ford’s new muscle car has been, ‘why didn’t they do this, why didn’t they do that.’
There were several changes that Ford made in this model, some for the betterment of the Mustang brand, and they nailed those, but there are things that were missed more than your grandmother missing you on your birthday. Ford fanboys are not pleased. There ought to be designers and engineers at The Ford Motor Company right now kicking themselves for things that were overlooked in or on the new S650.
What They Got Right
It’s not to say that the new Mustang is a complete disappointment, on the contrary, it shows promise of enticing and exhilarating the driver in certain aspects, especially once the driver enters the cabin of the car and sees the futuristic new dashboard with modern components. Ford also increased the quantity of the much easier-to-use analog buttons and has them spread out throughout the control panel.
The interior also comes with animated lighting which adds a touch of class to the dash, illuminating the controllers and providing an intriguing setting. The steering wheel, which is modeled after the one in the MACH-E, comes bolstered at two and ten and has a flat bottom adding to the ultramodern appearance Ford is attempting to convey.
What They Missed Out On
On the inside, some of the changes were subtle but still an improvement on the overall look, however, there were also things that were changed that might not be a hit. For example, Ford did away with the double cowl on the dashboard which Mustang owners have loved and was part of their signature look, but to have that fancy dashboard that comes in the 2023 models, they had to nix it.
Another missed opportunity on the inside was to upgrade or at least change the style of the seats because they are the same as the S550 Mustang and there is nothing special about them. The gear shifter has also gone untouched with the same one that comes in the previous model and here you start to think that maybe Ford has lost their creativity.
It's not just the inside of the Mustang S650 that makes you sad, so does the exterior.Ford has missed more on this car than a third-string shooting guard on the Knicks. There were opportunities for it to become something great and just like a third-string player who rides the bench, goes nowhere. Looking at the S650 from the rear, you would not be able to tell the model without the badging.
The exhaust tips are the same, and the tires are the same as well, for some reason, Pirellis are still being used. This was a chance to upgrade the wheels and at the same time give consumers something different and what is popular now. The Pirellis have been outdated for years and Ford has to know that drivers want the new Michelin Pilot Sports.
Missing Conveniences
In a time when cars can drive and park themselves, Ford missed out on the simplest of features that add value to any car and ease to the duties of the driver. The new S650 Mustang will not come with front parking sensors or a front camera. For experienced drivers this does not matter but if the technology is out there, why not use it and give Mustang owners something that almost all other new cars come with?
Ford shoots and misses with the so-called revamped turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. This features a 10-speed automatic transmission that has gotten poor reviews as and is not limited to, slow to downshift, jerky transitioning, and an un-smooth ride. The feeling of 310 horsepower is just not there. Any one of those things can make someone think twice before such a hefty purchase.
This happens to be a major part of why the S650 Mustang is not hitting the mark with consumers and enthusiasts and is playing the second fiddle to its nemesis, the Chevrolet Camaro.
The Nostalgia Strum
The biggest miss Ford made with this car is the name. It definitely would not be the first time they swung and hit the air in this area, seems to be becoming a trend with them. The first miss was calling the MACH-E a Mustang. You can stop right now and not go any further if you think that little crossover SUV is actually a real Mustang. No, it is not. It can identify as a Mustang all it wants, but that doesn’t make it so.
You could put all the Mustang badges you want, however despite the name, it is in no way a Mustang.
Sorry if I had to burst your bubble and bring you back to reality, but someone needed to tell you. Coming here with four doors looking like a crossover vehicle and calling yourself one of the most iconic American muscle cars in history, nope, not happening.
So needless to say, when Ford released the name of the new Darkhorse, the Mustang community was confused as to why this model was not called a Mach 1 or even a BOSS but the name of an Espresso Martini. When it’s all said and done, Ford missed out on more than what they improved or added and that will not fair well with Mustang lovers.