In recent months, Ford Authority has spotted not just one or two, but three different Ford Mustang prototypes out testing, each wearing some unique features – including a few taken from the S550-generation Shelby GT500. It certainly seems like The Blue Oval is cooking up a new range-topping variant of its popular pony car, one that may wind up becoming an S650-generation Mustang Shelby GT500, though it’s unclear if that will be the case, or if FoMoCo will go with a different nameplate. In the meantime, we’re now able to hear this future model for the very first time.
This video shows what could be an S650 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 prototype leaving a gas station, covered in heavy camo, just like the prototype we spotted out testing this past June. In fact, it could be the very same prototype, given the camo design and the identical wheels present on both, though it’s unclear if that is the case. It does appear that the exhaust tips are a bit different – in this case, smaller than the previous sighting, at least.
Regardless, the driver gives the pony car a healthy amount of throttle when pulling out of the gas station parking lot, revealing some rather intoxicating V8 sounds. Those sounds are accompanied by a little tire squeal, in fact, but that isn’t the end of the video. Rather, we continue to follow the potential Mustang Shelby GT500 prototype around town, hearing the deep rumbling sounds emitted from its tailpipes, as well as its choppy idle.
It’s unclear what lies under the hood of this prototype, but as Ford Authority reported back in February, a leaked communication from the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 union to its members surfaced online that was later confirmed to be real. That document referred to the Dearborn Engine plant, which currently builds the 2.0L Ford powerplant and the supercharged 5.2L V8 present in the Ford F-150 Raptor R and the Mustang GTD.
It states that the union anticipates “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.”
This means that it’s certainly possible that the Mustang Shelby GT500 will return, though that possibility still remains a bit murky at the moment. After all, as Ford Authority exclusively reported last May, the automaker has been mulling the idea of whether or not it will continue to use the Shelby GT500 nameplate for some time now, or perhaps go with a different name developed in-house for its next range-topping pony car – much like the current Dark Horse is already doing.
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Another nice example from this generation.
Our first and only look at the future model, for now.
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Sounds awful, sure doesn't sound like a V8. Very disappointing video.
Thats what I was thinking, sounds more of a V6 than a v8. I'll give the benefit of the doubt tho, it didn't go high in the revs
It sounds a lot like the 5.2L, but looking at what I can see with the wrapped bonnet, the bonnet looksd to be raised? Could it be the mighty 7,3L under the bonnet???