2024 Ford Mustang looks set to be a comparison to 2021’s Mach 1, at least that’s the case if this new spy photo is to be believed.
The prototype sported the same wheels and tires as the Mach 1 running alongside it paired with the quad-exit exhaust that debuted on the now-discontinued Shelby GT350.
While we can’t say for sure that this prototype packs a V8 rather than some sort of EcoBoost V6 or hybrid setup, the exhaust does tell us that there’s an ICE under the hood, and possibly a powerful one.
We’ve seen some of the more basic Mustang prototypes roll around with smaller wheel/tire combinations, making it easy to spot the differences.
While it’s possible Ford plans to go straight out of the gate with a Mach 1, Shelby GT350 or other similar range-topper, they usually start to emerge a model year or two into the product cycle, after the standard Mustang and traditional V8-powered GT have had their time in the market.
Under the sun. That leads us to believe that this is a GT model with all the bells and whistles of the Performance Pack, which is close to Mach 1 tier equipment.
Given normal generation performance, a GT performing as well as (or slightly better than) the outgoing Mach 1 would make sense.
Rumors suggest that the 2024 Mustang will be shown early next year with the official sales date coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the original Mustang’s debut at the New York World’s Fair in 1964.
2024 Ford Mustang Review
Ford has confirmed that the upcoming seventh-generation Mustang S650 will feature a manual gearbox, teasing the online model.
While the potential for manual box removal has been a source of speculation ahead of the reveal of the new Mustang,
The latest teaser posted to Twitter features not only the sound of a V8 engine rowing through gears – but also the H-pattern shifting the emblem off the top of the gear stick.
It’s likely that the six-speed manual of the current Mustang S550 will be used, as will the 10-speed automatic offering – developed by Ford.
Ford also announced it would invest an additional US$3.7 billion (AU$5.1 billion) in US production facilities in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri.
Expected to create 6200 new union manufacturing jobs and 74,000 indirect jobs across the U.S. by 2027,
The investment will also secure the future of the new Mustang at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant – the home of pony car production since 2005.
Ford Australia has previously confirmed that the next-generation Mustang will continue to be sold in Australia, with the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 remaining as one of the engines to power the two-door coupe.
The new model will also race in the revamped Supercars Championship, with revised Gen3 rules allowing the Ford Mustang to take on the Chevrolet Camaro on the track – though Ford has yet to reveal the final design of its challenger due to the upcoming debut of the S650.
Buckle up! We’re investing in Michigan's Flat Rock Assembly Plant to assemble the all-new, 7th generation Ford Mustang, the world’s best-selling sports coupe for customers around the planet. Stay tuned! 🌎🌍🌏 pic.twitter.com/UtbW2V5sah
— Ford Mustang (@FordMustang) June 2, 2022
2024 Ford Mustang Report
As we continue to prepare for the official launch of the next-gen Ford Mustang, it’s hard to disentangle fact from fiction. Of course, Ford is currently not going to make an official statement about whether this leak is legit or not.
However, while this is all speculative, it is interesting. Let’s take a look at some photos and leak details about the next generation Mustang, known as the S650, for now.
According to Ford Authority, this leaked image shows the front of the new Ford Mustang 2024 prototype. This is not the first batch of images to surface on one of these prototypes.
However, every other shot shows the car in full camouflage. This time, however, the hood is slightly ajar, and the camouflage cover is completely absent on the front fascia.
From this photo, it seems Ford is stuck with the aggressive style found in the current generation Mustang facelift model (S550). However, the size and shape of the grille are almost reminiscent of the 2005 Mustang (S197).
Read next: 2024 Ford Explorer: Exclusive! New Update Ford Explorer EV Review
In addition, the design of the long and slender headlamps is also slightly different from the current generation.
Overall, though, it looks like the next-generation Mustang retains many of the style cues from the current generation.
Another leaked photo claims to be a Ford Mustang GT 2024 brochure. Interestingly, this photo shows a much larger grille design. However, given the similarity of the headlights in both photos, there is some consistency.
It’s a bit odd to think different trim levels might have different-sized grilles. To be fair, the current GT500 has a much larger grille than the base model and the existing GT. So maybe that’s not out of the question.
2024 Ford Mustang Engine
Again, given that all this information is speculative, we only have the current production Mustang as a basis for theory.
Currently, the Mustang is available with a turbocharged 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine and a 5.0-liter Coyote V8. Furthermore, the GT500 has a supercharged 5.2 liter V8 engine.
Given the success of the Ecoboost and Coyote models, it’s safe to assume that they will last. Ford Authority asserts this as rational thinking, arguing that these S650 prototypes have been spotted with various engine sounds emanating from them.
That includes, of course, the rumbling V8.
However, many Ford Mustang fans theorize that an electric version is coming. This seems unreasonable, considering the Mustang Mach E is selling well like hotcakes.
In addition, speculation also suggests that maybe Ford will use hybrid technology to improve fuel efficiency while still using the V8.
Many companies, such as Aston Martin and Lamborghini, will use this technique to maintain their V12 engines.
Additionally, the Ford Authority recently shut down rumors circulating that the new Mustang might be all-wheel drive. Never say never!
In the end, the new Mustang’s front-end doesn’t look to deviate as much from the current design as the update does.
Other than that, from what we can see based on the camouflage, it doesn’t look like the Mustang will change much visually.
As usual with situations like this, all we can do is wait and see what details leak out when Ford officially announces the next-gen Mustang.