Rumors wrote off the Mustang’s gasoline engine… the ‘Stang never wrote back
“Let freedom ring” – MLK if he saw this car. While certain rumors of the new generation Mustang getting a hybrid powertrain had us tossing and turning, the announcement of the future of the Mustang brand on the 14th gave us all a deep sigh of relief. The Mustang will not in fact be turning to the dark side, in fact it will remain the same… just the way we like it.
A New Generation of Normal
Replacing the S550 Mustang in 2024, the aptly named S650 Mustang will retain all the best features of the current one. Keeping the 5.0 L V8 Coyote powertrain and its 4-cylinder EcoBoost counterpart. The new ‘Stang gets sharper and gains more edges, along with a brand new interior. While it’s not the turn the brand over on its head revolution everyone presumed, it certainly is a change.
Keeping the same frame as the outgoing pony, the S650 uses the S550 chassis as the basis for the car. The underline debuted in 2014 and is still going strong under the new era as Ford refused to create a new underpinning for the S650. The five-liter V8 stays relatively the same, but gets an upgrade with dual air filters and two throttle bodies, making that one for each bank. Ford HQ states that this is the most powerful Coyote engine yet, therefore meaning that the numbers will be greater than 480 horsepower, which in this car… is fit for plenty of fun wherever you’d want to take it.
The 2.3 L 4-banger got the biggest change of the two powertrains, with a complete overhaul of Ford’s staple engine- the EcoBoost. The do-it-all engine that’s used in everything from the F-150 to the Transit gets a major upgrade with a brand new twin-scroll turbocharger, electronically controlled wastegate, and the addition of both port and direct injection systems. Notably omitted is the manual transmission from EcoBoost Mustangs. Ford justified this by there “simply not being enough takers” for the option. All EcoBoosts will now come with a 10-speed automatic transmission carried over from the old S550. On the other end of the spectrum, Ford saves the manual by allowing a 6-speed to be optioned on the 5.0 L GT stangs. However, Detroit has also carried this over, leaving much to be desired with the MT-82 transmission that it uses. Consumers and our tests have shown gear lockouts, clutch fade, and sloppy shifts arising as soon as 30,000 miles.
On the 10-speeds, the Mustangs come with something unique. Well you’ve heard of Tesla’s Summon Feature… and you’ve heard of Hyundai’s Smart Park… well then you’d assume that the new Mustang can summon itself when called right? No. BUT it can rev with the push of a button on your key fob! How ’bout that, huh? Called Remote Rev, the car can rev with a push on the key fob. Unique, yes. Practical, maybe? We’d be curious to see how it does when the car is completely cold and how it protects the engine against damage.
Ford made sure to let everyone know in the press material that this is the most athletic Mustang ever. *clears throat* “DID YOU HEAR THAT EVERYONE? This is the sportiest Mustang of all time!” Defined by its sharp edges and more muscular looks, the new Mustang has its fair share of haters and lovers. The rear takes on an inset V-design with all the body lines angling to one ruler straight line in the center of the decklid. In the front, new stealthy LED DRLs maintain the classic theme of three with the Mustang but make it look much sleeker. A wider rear and a shortened bumper overhang in the behind make the ‘Stang appear as if it’s a completely different animal dimension wise.. even though it’s really not.
It’s What’s on the Inside That Matters
With all the changes on the exterior, by far the biggest change is when you open up the doors. Gone is the calculator screen of the past that made the interior seem like it came straight out of 2005. Ushered in is a brand new type of interior inspired by video games like Forza and Gran Turismo. Base model Mustangs now will have separated two screens on the same platform while higher trims will keep the two same screens but seamlessly conjoined to essentially create one massive screen.
Improved materials will replace the crappy, cheap pieces used in the previous generation. Carbon fiber bits, suede, and leather plaster the interior for the better. We think this is a giant leap forward in terms of putting the Mustang ahead of competitors. We aren’t impressed with either the Challenger’s or the Camaro’s guts leaving the Mustang to take the cabin crown.
Big Time Improvements Lead to Big Time Performance
We’ve kind of seen this interior before… in the new F-150. The steering wheel looks similar as well as the new screens, but that’s where the similarities end. Improved steering ratios allow the steering feel to be much sharper and agile. Helping the issue is a new steering rack to help make the Mustang 20% more responsive. Underneath the car, Ford took inspiration from the GT350 in order to make the rear suspension links. Fresh knuckles, front lower links made from aluminum, and other chassis tweaks help the Mustang differentiate itself more from the stone age fossil it had been turning into.
Notably, the addition of an electronic “drift stick” takes the cake on the highlights of the interior. Ford has tried to reach a compromise between a car world going towards electric parking brakes and the stance of enthusiasts. The result? The drift stick. Looking like a regular cable operated parking brake except its electronically controlled. This new feature can lock up the rear wheels with up to 5 times the force of a regular parking brake.
Countless other upgrades are tacked onto the new Mustang. Brembo six pistons are included in the rear along with larger 390 mm front and 355 mm rear discs on the Performance Pack. Speaking of the Performance Pack, it returns. Available on both the GT and the EcoBoost Mustangs, the upgrade comes with a myriad of features. Including more bracing, a buffed-up radiator, larger cooling fans, a Torsen LSD, and MagneRide optionable. Sitting on Pirelli P Zero’s the Mustang GT’s pack comes with brake ducts and an extra oil cooler. If that wasn’t enough performance for you, opt for the Dark Horse variant of the new Mustang, a track focused version of the Mustang GT replacing the Mach 1 and the Bullitt trim of years past.
Final Words
While the Mustang gets closer and closer to the demise of its internal engine, Ford has made it clear it will always be a Mustang. While we were gifted with another generation of the Mustang we know and love, it seems inevitable that the Mustang will turn into a coupe version of the Mach-E… and that’s okay with us, just a little bit sad.
With the S650, it seems like Ford truly did hit a home run. Improving on all the parts that made the Mustang hard to love, Ford kept it real and made it once again soon to be America’s favorite.
