Leaked 2024 Ford Mustang Apparently Shows 7th-Generation Face for EcoBoost and GT

As we wait for the expected 2023 unveiling of the 7th-generation Ford Mustang, which will be offered as a 2024 model, a new leak seems to reveal the front end of the S650 pony. And with both the EcoBoost and the GT apparently uncovered, there’s a lot to discuss here.

The styling of the next-gen Mustang appears to be an evolution of the current model rather than a radical new effort. Frankly, with the rumors about the platform being an upgrade on the IRS (independent rear suspension) chassis, the Blue Oval introduced for the outgoing S550 Mustang back in 2014, this doesn’t come as a surprise.

We’re looking at two leaked images and the first shows a prototype with no camo on the fascia, which was reportedly spied by a Ford Authority reader.

As for the second picture, this seems to be a screen capture or a low-res brochure photo and surfaced on the Mustang7g forums, while also showing up on the Facebook page of Ford aftermarket developer Steeda. It portrays what’s expected to be the GT iteration of the muscle car, even though we can’t clearly tell what the front wing badging spells.

For the current sixth-gen Mustang, there are already certain visual differences between the EcoBoost and the GT model. However, it seems that the next-gen car will further differentiate the turbo-four and the N/A V8 on a visual level.

Both images show sleek triple-element headlights and a grille that appears even more air-hungry than that of the S550. However, the alleged GT modelโ€”this could always be a performance specialโ€”features a sportier approach that seems to seek inspiration from the current Mustang Shelby GT500 design. And the exposed air scoop on the hood seems to be the icing on the cake.

As it happened when the S550 got its mid-cyle revamp for the 2018 model year, the styling of the next-gen car seems to move a bit further away from the traditional muscle car appearance, getting closer to a sports car approach.

While the move was supported by the current car being a global effort, it will be interesting to see how Ford plans to handle the European part of the operation.

Ford’s European electrification plans

For starters, the EcoBoost version was pulled off the Old Continent markets about two years ago, leaving only the V8 versionsโ€”while they both have a negative impact on the carmaker’s fleet average CO2 emissions, the GT sells in more limited numbers and probably comes with a higher profit margin.

More importantly, Ford, which is now comprised of two entities, namely Ford Blue for ICE (internal combustion engine) offerings and Ford Model e for EVs, has made a serious emission reduction comitment in Europe. As such, all its passenger vehicles sold on the Old Continent will be either all-electric or plug-in hybrid by mid-2026. And the Euro lineup will be exclusively battery-powered by 2030.

The engine range of the S650 Mustang

Rumors talk about both the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four and the 5.0L atmospheric Coyote making it under the hood of the S650, albeit with some form of electric assistance.

The rumors range from mild-hybrid setups to plug-in hybrid iterations that would finally deliver an AWD Mustang, an idea Ford experimented with back in the 1960s, soon after the original Mustang was introduced.

An additional performance version is also rumored, even though nothing has been officially confirmed to date.

All-electric muscle cars

Then there’s the idea of an all-electric Mustang, a two-door effort that would be considerably lighter and more nimble than the Mach E performance electric crossover that shares little with the Mustang outside its name.

However, with solid-state batteries, which should offer higher energy density and therefore take a smaller toll on a vehicle’s weight, expected to enter the mainstream in the second part of the decade, Ford could wait until then to release an all-electric Mustang coupe/cabriolet.

It’s worth noting that Dodge has already announced a prototype for an electric muscle car, which is coming this year, while the production model will land in 2024.

As for the Camaro, its fate seems to be hanging in the air. That’s because GM has done nothing to quash the rumors about a 2023 demise, while more recent teaser images suggest an all-electric coupe that could take the place of the current ICE sixth-gen models.

The interior had previously leaked

We’ll remind you that the cabin of the 2024 Ford Mustang leaked earlier this week, when images of an S650 prototype with the dash uncovered surfaced online (you’ll find one of the images, which come from the said forums, in the gallery below).

We got to see the digital dash and central infotainment screen, along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, among others.

Multiple Ford Mustang prototypes have been spotted in the U.S. and perhaps the best news delivered here involves the V8 rumble of certain testers, which means we’ll get to enjoy the OG muscle recipe for at least one more generation.

COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

RELATED