Rumors surrounding the next-generation S650 Ford Mustang have been flyin around for years now, and yet, little information about the new pony car has been available. As Ford Authority reported last month, many believed that the S650 would launch for the 2023 model year, but it now appears that the new pony will actually launch for the 2024 model year instead. And now, Ford Authority spies have captured a heavily-camouflaged 2024 Ford Mustang prototype for the very first time, giving us a sneak peek at the seventh-generation version of Ford’s iconic pony car.
Though it’s difficult to discern many details from this prototype, as it’s shrouded in heavy camo, there are some key takeaways worth noting. For starters, it seems as if the overall shape and general proportions of the 2024 Mustang are similar to those of the current S550 gen model, which aligns with previous rumors that the pony car won’t be undergoing mountainous changes as it moves to its seventh generation.
Up front, we can see slim headlights peeking through the heavy camo, with an oval-shaped front grille in between that looks very similar in shape and size to that of the S550.
There also appears to be a lower grille beneath that larger upper unit, as is the case with the current model. However, the strangest thing about this prototype is the hood, which has a sharp, raised line in the center (or crest) at its highest point.
The side profile shows us an overall profile that is very Mustang-like, with a long hood, long dash-to-axle ratio resulting in cab-rearward proportions, and a short decklid. Here, we get another look at the raised hood line, as well as a large “hump” atop the rear portion of the roof that also covers the rear glass on the car. This hump is likely padding added by engineers to obfuscate the actual design of the vehicle. Also note the set of black, five-spoke wheels that seem to be familiar from the S550 generation.
The rear end features a substantial amount of heavy camo. Regardless, the taillights look far different than the ones present on the current generation, with what appear to be “dots” in place of three vertically-oriented bars on the S550 Mustang. It’s possible that the tail lights seen here are placeholders for the actual units, which weren’t ready in time for this test run.
The rear end also gives us a better look at the strange hump covering the rear portion of the roof and rear glass, as well as dual exhaust tips integrated into the bottom of lower fascia.
As Ford Authority has reported over the last several months, the next-generation Mustang will introduce a series of changes to the long-running model, including a new exterior and interior, plus at least one hybrid version, which was previously rumored to launch in 2025. As Ford Authority reported back in October, two hybrid options could possibly be in the works in the form of electrified versions of Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 and 5.0L Coyote V8.
No other major powertrain changes are expected for the next-gen Mustang, and as Ford Authority reported last May, the V8 engine won’t be going away any time soon, either. However, it should also come as no surprise that an all-electric Mustang is expected at some point in the future – perhaps as soon as 2028 for the 2029 model year, as rumors have suggested.
The S650 Mustang will continue to be built at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant and will have an eight-year life cycle, as Ford Authority reported last August. This lifespan would have matched that of the current S550 generation had it not been extended for the 2023 model year, therefore giving the S550 a nine-year lifespan.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford Mustang very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Why do they cover it up
Hiding body damage from the testing process, hiding styling changes from one gen to the next…lots of reasons. Car and Driver had a good story on the process some years ago.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15387354/the-man-who-hides-cars/
Why doesn’t Ford extend the roof line all the way back to the lip of the trunk ala the Iocoaca Mustang? And why did they remove the side scoop? The side scoop is a part of what made the Mustang.
The question is why is it not electric?
There is an electric Mustang already, but I understand your point.
I hope there’ll be an electric option for this particular model, too.
Because there’s not enough viable charging stations for all the electric product coming on line.
There’s a choice out there…..drive your electric car…. or cook your dinner. The infrastructure for electric vehicles is so far behind that we can regularly expect black outs and brown outs at the best of times
The last DAMN thing Ford needs is another KNOCK OFF Mustang, that’s why..
Now if they could just prove service after sale. Then they might have something to brag about.
Now if they could improve service after the sale. They might have something to brag about