The rumours are true: a new generation of Ford Mustang is just around the corner.
Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed on Twitter overnight that the Blue Oval will unveil the seventh-generation Mustang on September 14 at the 2022 Detroit motor show, confirming previous reports.
Mr Farley has called the new Mustang a “stunning car” and confirmed it’ll retain a three-pedal option, including the hashtag ‘#SaveThe Manuals’.
Accompanying the tweet is a short six-second looping video that has a roaring V8 engine sound in the background. This essentially confirms the new Mustang will be available with a V8.
Keen-eyed viewers will also notice that Ford has subtly hidden a six-speed manual H-patten inside the ‘O’ of the word ‘generation’, which confirms the seventh-gen Mustang will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission option.
Codenamed S650, the new Ford Mustang is expected to enter production in the first half of 2023. If this is true, this suggests an Australian launch in late 2023.
The S650 will reportedly have an eight-year lifecycle, which is roughly the same as the previous two Mustang generations.
For context, the outgoing six-generation Mustang debuted in late 2013 and hit the Australian market in 2015.
Leaked S650 Mustang
Ford has already said it will again make the new Mustang at its Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan – subject to an array of recent multi-billion dollar factory upgrades.
Ford also specifically called it “Mustang coupe” when discussing 2023 production plans, which calls into question the timeline around any convertible offering.
The new rear-wheel drive Mustang will remain internal combustion-powered in its seventh-generation guise. The existing 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-four and 5.0-litre natually-aspirated V8 are likely to be offered.
A hybrid version is reportedly being worked on for a later arrival, which will complement the existing Mustang Mach-E all-electric SUV, rather than compete against it.
Outgoing Ford Mustang
We’ve already seen some leaked exterior images of the new Mustang, which include a redesigned front end.
Although we haven’t seen yet, expect to see some substantial interior changes with a more modern-looking infotainment setup.
Hopefully there’ll also be some additional safety features to ensure a better ANCAP result than that of the current car.
As recently reported, current Ford Mustang orders have been paused in Australia as a result of the ongoing chip shortage, taking the market’s top-selling sports car off the table for the time being.
MORE: New Ford Mustang to debut this September – report
MORE: New Ford Mustang confirmed as part of $5 billion investment
MORE: 2024 Ford Mustang front end leaked
MORE: Everything Ford Mustang
