The next-gen, S650, 2023 Ford Mustang has been the subject of many rumors in recent months, including, most recently, the notion that an all-electric pony car will completely replace the ICE-powered Mustang altogether. However, it’s expected that the seventh-generation Ford Mustang will enter production at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant in 2022 for the 2023 model year. And now, we’ve spied what appears to be the very first mule for the next-gen, S650 Mustang, which also appears to be testing an all-wheel-drive system.
This early mule of a 2023 Ford Mustang represents a veritable hodgepodge of things from FoMoCo’s pony car parts bin. That includes the front fascia of an S550 Mustang GT covered in camo, the front splitter, and side splitters from the Mach 1, and wheels lifted from a Mach 1 Handling Package car. The dual-tip exhaust is something that isn’t present on the Mach 1, however, though the mule is powered by Ford’s 5.0L Coyote V8, likely with a Bullitt/Mach 1 tune.
This mule also has cables on all four wheels which are connected to a sensor inside the cabin, but its most interesting feature might just be the rear brake setup. Here, we can clearly see that the position of the brake caliper and the parking brake assembly is reversed from the current model, which is highly unusual and a solid indication that we are in fact looking at a next-gen all-wheel-drive mule.
What’s particularly notable about the fact that the brake caliper is positioned on the front of the rotor instead of the rear is the fact that many existing all-wheel-drive vehicles utilize this same layout. This includes the BMW 850i, Dodge Charger, Infiniti Q60s, and various other models.
In the real world, the position of the disc brake caliper has little effect on efficiency, as long as the bleed screws are positioned at 12 o’clock. Calipers can be mounted to the rotor in the “lead” or “trail” position, which refers to their position relative to the spindle or axle centerline.
Thus, it’s all about the packing of these components – the position of the cradle, axles for all-wheel-drive systems, spindles, hubs, and struts. Rear caliper placement is typically arranged to allow the best package for all suspension arms going to the knuckle, usually the damper position.
Interestingly enough, the driver didn’t appear to be too happy with us snapping some pictures of the car, however, given the one-finger salute he gave us as he drove by Ford’s Experimental Vehicles facility.
The S650 Mustang’s platform won’t be changing much from the current model, but will likely receive some improvements. As we reported last August, the next-gen Mustang is also expected to have an eight-year life cycle, which means it would run through the 2029 model year. As for the all-electric Mustang, rumors indicate that it will enter production in late 2028 for the 2029 model year, so it’ll be interesting to see how these rumors ultimately line up.
We’ll have more on the next-gen Mustang very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
AWD is a joke unless one is in snow country or tracking a vehicle. I am stuck with it on my ST. I need it where I live in the FL keys like I need another ex wife !
So don’t buy one… Not a joke when you mash the pedal and you don’t hookup and the rear wheels just spin. AWD has it’s advantages, especially if it’s a select-able system.
Ford should fire that jerk. If they don’t want test cars seen and photographed or videoed then they have plenty of test tracks. Taking test or preproduction vehicles on public streets is a deliberate decision by car companies to generate interest in their products. It has always been that way. The Ford employee in that car is a total jerk.
@ Chipster, Absolutely agree! I would gladly be a test driver for Ford.
The only point of a 4 wheel drive Mustang is to drop the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. It’s great for getting out of corners, but I doubt there will be Mustangs in Imsa that aren’t rear only. Seems to be the only thing magazines care for these days.
Once the real Mustangs are done and they go to electric appliances only, the Mustang will be over with anyway. That’s like kissing your sister, sure she’s a girl, but come on.
I disagree with some of the remarks posted here. I would love to have an awd mustang. Even with a drag radial my current Mustang spins all the time during spirited driving. If it comes in true GT form, not a downrated engine or trans, and a 500ish hp engine, I may be trading off my S550. I like my 6sp manual car so if it can come in a manual, that would be more fun. But I am open to a good auto, just have to make it more reliable than the current 10 speed.
I do agree with the comments about the guy’s communication style. Inappropriate, can him. I will drive those cars around for Ford with a smile on my face.
The current 10 speed is reliable much more reliable than the 6 speed manual ford is being sue over. People just think it has a problem but it shift fine by and large
I’ve read a lot of people freaking out on different forums like Ford won’t off options. The Mustang is an option beast so AWD will just be another option.
I can’t wait for it to come out
The goal here is to beat Teslas in the quarter mile.
A hybrid Mustang with 10-speed automatic and properly tuned traction control should be able to do that.
We need all four wheels putting out roughly equal torque, depending on the weight distribution. And no wheel slip.
The hybrid battery system needs to max out for like eight seconds.
How hard can this really be?
I would love some American muscle with AWD and a manual transmission. Right now the only powerful AWD/manual options anywhere are the Porsche 911 4, maybe one of the Audis. If Ford makes an AWD high performance Mustang with a 6 speed manual I’m in.
Living in Canada, I suspect Ford would definitely increase their Mustang sales if they offered it in AWD. We certainly see a lot of AWD chargers and challengers in Northern Ontario where I live. Keep it sensible though. 2.3 or 2.7 turbo, and 17 or 18 inch rims.
AWD cannot happen soon enough for me as there is no way that I’ll buy another Mustang unless it has it.
I welcomed awd mustang especially if the setup can be turn on and off. Cars like the Lancer evo had that kind of setup and German cars as well
This car doesn’t have AWD. No axle nut behind the front wheel means no axle either. Really wish more people understood this.