The S550-generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 bowed out of the lineup following the 2022 model year, shortly before that pony car gave way to the all-new 2024, S650 generation model. Since then, most have simply assumed that the GT500 would make a comeback at some point, though that hasn’t yet happened. However, Ford Authority spies have spotted prototypes signaling that Ford is working on two different S650 Shelby-level models, not just one.
We say “Shelby-level” because, as Ford Authority exclusively reported in May 2024, the forthcoming, range-topping S650 Mustang variants are unlikely to wear the Shelby nameplate, in either GT350 or GT500 guise. We recently received indirect confirmation of this when Shelby American debuted its own version of the GT350. Regardless, we believe that two different high-performance variants of the S650-generation pony car are on the way; let’s take a look at them here.
Shelby GT350-Level Car
GT350-level prototype
First, we have the prototype pictured above, which was spotted testing back in late April. For the purpose of simplicity, we will refer to it as a GT350 level car, one that would slot in the existing lineup above the Dark Horse. It wears Dark Horse bodywork and badging, in fact, with a mule sticker placed right behind it – an animal name that’s typically used to refer to a vehicle that’s in the early stages of development, oftentimes, one sporting crude modifications that aren’t necessarily indicative of what we can expect from a production model.
GT350-level prototype with Carbon Fiber wheels
Roughly a week later, Ford Authority spotted another prototype out testing with a different set of features on the outside – including carbon fiber wheels taken directly from the S550 generation GT500. We think that this prototype represents another GT350-level Mustang that is likely equipped with a track package.
Shelby GT500-Level Car
GT500-level prototype
GT500-level prototype
Then, in early June, Ford Authority spotted another prototype, which we will refer to as the GT500 level car. Unlike the other two models, it’s wearing bodywork concealed by heavy camo, unlike the other two models.
It features massive air intakes, a lower chin spoiler, wider front fenders, and a hood that seems to offer up a larger hood-mounted air extractor. It rolls on a unique set of wheels wrapped with staggered Pirelli P Zero R tires measuring 305/30ZR20 up front and 315/30ZR20 in the rear. The look is capped off in the rear with a more aggressive diffuser, unfinished quad exhaust tips, and possibly a new bumper design.
Another GT500-level prototype
Then, we caught another prototype of the GT500-level car, but one with finished exhaust tips, configured in a vertical orientation, plus a different set of tires and brakes.
In any event, we think that we’re looking at not just one, but two different high-performance Mustang variants, even if it’s still unclear what they’ll be called. As we mentioned above, sources have told us that neither one of these models will wear the Shelby name, with Ford having recently filed to trademark Boss and Dark Horse Boss.
As for what could be under the hood, it’s currently unclear what will power the GT350-level car. As for the GT500-level Mustang, a document emerged with communications between the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 union and its members mentions the Dearborn Engine plant, stating that “an afternoon shift being added towards the end of 2025 on the Niche assembly line. This volume increase is for the 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. I can’t wait until we start building engines for such an iconic vehicle with an engine that will be named Legend.”
- See more about the Ford Legend engine
Comments
Probably 10, seeing as how Farley’s still around.
Hopefully the GT350 level (equipped with a manual transmission) will have an engine making 550-560hp since this car will probably weigh around 4000 pounds and that’s how much power it would take to make the GT350 level car competitive (acceleration wise) with the prior GT350 and it’s 526 horsepower. While I wouldn’t expect it to have a flat-plane-crank V8 (or at least one with the beautifully wonky flat-plane-crank in the 5.2 Voodoo V8), it would be nice to see another naturally aspirated high revving Coyote variant back in the Mustang, especially if Ford could get a few more revs out of the engine (say 8500-8600 rpm this time) to make the extra power or they could go the traditional route (just as good) and offer an all aluminum variant of the 7.3 ‘zilla V8 with good ol’ ground pounding low RPM grunt and a 6500-7000 rpm rev limit with around the same 550-560 horsepower. The Coyote is Ford’s preferred high performance engine though and has proven itself in all forms of racing so I would expect a GT350 level car to use that and of course the GT500 level car with a supercharged version of the Coyote.
It seems that every month there is some new high-performance version of the Mustang. Variations on a theme, and all too often unaffordable by the masses. I get the fun factor and I get the supposed halo factor, but how about a version that harkens back to the original Mustang concept? You know, like affordable and fun but not necessarily tire-burning.