| Ford Mustang (S650) | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford |
| Model Code: | S650 |
| Production: | May 2023 – present |
| Model Years: | 2024–present |
| Designer: | Chris Stevens[1] |
| Assembly: | United States: Flat Rock, Michigan (Flat Rock Assembly Plant) Canada: Markham, Ontario (Multimatic)[2] |
| Layout: | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform: | Ford D2C platform[3] |
| Predecessor: | Ford Mustang (sixth generation) |
The Ford Mustang S650 is the seventh-generation of the Ford Mustang pony car manufactured by Ford. First shown at the 2022 North American International Auto Show, it is assembled at Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant and began production on May 1, 2023,[4] [5] initially available with either the redesigned 2.3 L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder with 315 HP, or the revised, 4th generation Coyote V8 with 480-486 HP in the GT and 500 HP in the Dark Horse.[6] [7] [8]
On September 14, 2022, Ford introduced the seventh-generation Mustang at the North American International Auto Show at a special event called "The Stampede".[9] [10] At the event, several track-only models were showcased, including a NASCAR Cup Series body, a V8 Supercar version, multiple GT racing versions, and others. Also announced was the new “Dark Horse” series to bridge the gap between the Mach 1 and discontinued GT350. The Dark Horse performs much the same role as the 2012–2013 Boss 302 Mustangs — a street legal car with enhanced performance for international road courses.
At launch, two engines were available: a 2.3 L turbocharged I4 (EcoBoost) or a 5.0 L modular V8 (Coyote).
The 2.3 L EcoBoost engine was fully redesigned with a new twin-scroll turbocharger and an electronic waste gate. It utilizes both direct and port fuel injection.
The fourth-generation 5.0 L Coyote V8 engine received internal revisions, and utilizes dual air intakes and throttle bodies. The Dark Horse model received a modified version of the 5.0 L V8 featuring a unique crankshaft and forged piston connecting rods from the sixth-generation Shelby GT500.
The Dark Horse SC and the GTD include the 5.2L Supercharged Predator V8 from the sixth-generation Shelby GT500 as well.
| Model | Model year | Engine Displacement | Power | Torque | Compression Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoBoost | 2024– | I4 | at 5,500 rpm | at 3,000 rpm | 10.6:1 | |
| GT (Europe) | 2024– | V8 | at 7,150 rpm | at 4,900 rpm | 12:1 | |
| GT | 2024– | V8 | at 7,150 rpm | at 4,900 rpm | 12:1 | |
| GT (with active exhaust) | 2024– | V8 | at 7,250 rpm | at 4,900 rpm | 12:1 | |
| Dark Horse (Europe) | 2024– | V8 | at 7,250 rpm | at 4,900 rpm | 12:1 | |
| Dark Horse | 2024– | V8 | at 7,250 rpm | at 4,900 rpm | 12:1 |
At launch, three transmissions were offered: a Getrag 6-speed manual (GT only), a Tremec 6-speed manual (Dark Horse only), or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The following tables show the gear ratios for the 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmissions.[11]
| First | 3.237:1 | 3.25:1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second | 2.104:1 | 2.23:1 | |
| Third | 1.422:1 | 1.61:1 | |
| Fourth | 1.000:1 | 1.24:1 | |
| Fifth | 0.814:1 | 1.00:1 | |
| Sixth | 0.622:1 | 0.63:1 | |
| Final Drive | 3.55:1 (Standard)3.73:1 (Performance Package) | 3.73:1 |
| First | 4.696:1 | 4.696:1 | 4.70:1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second | 2.985:1 | 2.985:1 | 2.99:1 | |
| Third | 2.146:1 | 2.146:1 | 2.15:1 | |
| Fourth | 1.769:1 | 1.769:1 | 1.77:1 | |
| Fifth | 1.520:1 | 1.520:1 | 1.52:1 | |
| Sixth | 1.275:1 | 1.275:1 | 1.28:1 | |
| Seventh | 1.000:1 | 1.000:1 | 1.00:1 | |
| Eighth | 0.854:1 | 0.854:1 | 0.85:1 | |
| Ninth | 0.689:1 | 0.689:1 | 0.69:1 | |
| Tenth | 0.636:1 | 0.636:1 | 0.64:1 | |
| Final Drive | 3.15:1 (Standard),3.55:1 (Performance Package) | 3.15:1 (Standard),3.55:1 (Performance Package) | 3.55:1 |
The Mustang Dark Horse S is a track-only version of the streetcar. It has had all non-essential parts stripped away, and an FIA certified rollcage added, as well as race seats and a racing steering wheel.[12]
On August 17, 2023, Ford unveiled the Mustang GTD, a street-version of their FIA Group GT3 race car, for the 2025 model year. The "GTD" moniker comes from the GTD class, or Gran Turismo Daytona class, of GT3 sports cars raced in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. This model incorporates an aerodynamic design and a supercharged 5.2L "Predator" V8 (from the previous generation Shelby GT500) with a rear-mounted transaxle. It makes and of torque, and has a top speed of .[13] [14]
Driven by Dirk Müller in December of 2024, The Mustang GTD lapped the Nürburgring track in 6:57:685,[15] making it the only American-made production vehicle, at that time, to complete the circuit in less than seven minutes. It later beat its own record again in May of 2025 with a time of 6:52.072.[16] [17] [18] In July 2025, that record was beaten by a pair of American-made, production-run, 2026 Chevrolet Corvettes; the ZR1 (6:50.763) and ZR1X (6:49.275). The ZR1X time also edged out the current Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992.1) record of 6:49.328.[19] [17] In an Instagram post, Ford CEO Jim Farley congratulated the Corvette team, followed with: "Game on!"[20]
On January 15, 2026, Ford unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC. It considers it to be the spiritual successor to the sixth generation Shelby GT500. It includes the 5.2L Predator V8, the same engine that powers the GT500 and GTD, which is supercharged (hence the letters "SC"), and it has over 700 horsepower. It is a track-focused variant of the Dark Horse.[21]
See main article: Ford Mustang GT3. In 2022, Ford Performance announced the development of a GT3 Ford Mustang based on the Dark Horse model, built by Ford and Multimatic. It was revealed in 2023 and races in the IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC. This means the Mustang raced at Le Mans for the first time since 1997 after a 27 year absence. German Racing Team Proton Competition was the first customer team to run the new Mustang GT3 in the WEC. In 2025, the Ford Mustang GT3 made its debut at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. In addition, HRT team vehicles were competing in the DTM and the ADAC GT Masters.[22] [23]
In 2023, Ford Performance announced at the 2023 24 Hours of Spa that a new GT4 Ford Mustang would be released for 2024, replacing the previous generation Mustang GT4. The car is eligible to compete in the GT4 America Series, Michelin Pilot Challenge, and IMSA SportsCar Challenge among other championships that include GT4 cars. The car made its debut at the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona.[24] [25]
On November 1, 2023, Ford Performance unveiled the new Dark Horse Next Gen body style for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, replacing the sixth generation Mustang GT.[26]
At the 2022 Bathurst 1000, Ford revealed the Ford Mustang GT Supercar, which was initially built by Ford and Dick Johnson Racing, to conform to the Gen3 regulations.[27]
In July 2023, Ford unveiled the Dark Horse R, a car very similar to the Dark Horse S, but made for the single-make IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge which supports the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2024.[28]
After the discontinuation of sports cars and sedans from Ford, GM, and Dodge which were often outfitted as police cruisers, the seventh generation Mustang found renewed interest from police departments across the United States.[29] Ford sells the Mustang to government purchasers but it does not currently offer a factory police package, so departments upgrade the vehicles in house.[30] State police agencies in Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have added the seventh generation Mustang to their fleets.
