Zac Quinn 
The S550 generation Ford Mustang is in its twilight years. But it’s far from feeling old. With the re-introduction of the Mach 1, and radical performance upgrades to the Shelby GT500, Ford continues to keep its icon fresh as the world awaits the S650 Mustang. The design of which remains a mystery.
Without giving anything away, Ford CEO Jim Farley told The Drive that he wants the S650 Mustang design worthy enough for his kid to “have it on his wall, or on his phone.”
We expect nothing less from what could very well be the last ICE muscle car standing, as Dodge rethinks the Charger and Challenger, and Chevrolet reportedly readies a Camaro replacement in the form of an electric sedan.
S650 Ford Mustang Design
The Ford Mustang buyer is getting older, according to marketing data. So a fresh approach to the overall design of the pony car – the only one that has seen continued production since 1964 with no breaks – designers are likely to do a few things to help it stand out. A similar approach worked for the C8 Corvette, where orders were to design it for “the 10-year-old kid.” And it worked, as the C8 currently enjoys a younger, wealthier and more diverse audience than the C7 generation before it.
When the S550 Mustang was released in 2015, the design became smoother than the retro-inspired S197 Mustang. And it turned heads. More so as the Shelby GT350, GT350R, and GT500 models came to fruition. Fanged front bumpers, beautiful wings flowing off the back, and thick tires made the package look complete.
As aerodynamics and pedestrian safety continue to prioritize vehicle design, it’s likely that the S650 Ford Mustang design will continue this trend of smooth shapes and rounded edges. Balancing that with an aggressive style is not an easy one, so we’ll have to wait and see how this new Mustang takes shape.
What To Expect From The S650 Mustang
The S650 will be an evolved form of the S550 with a rethought interior and exterior design, and we will get to see what they do in the debut in late 2022. There is also a chance a hybrid version could be available during a refresh in 2025, which will add more weight to the car but extra torque and better fuel economy. All-wheel-drive is not expected out of the gate, according to sources. It could perhaps come with the hybrid, but that’s going to be a few years out.
Ultimately, the S650 Mustang is expected to be the last V8 muscle car on sale, as electric vehicles take over vehicle portfolios. And by 2030, the Mustang coupe will go fully electric also. So as the original Mustang opened the pony car story, it would appear that Ford plans to be the one that closes it, as well.
