Ford recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Mustang at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but it’s the future and not the past that was the most interesting news.
While announcing a new special edition (that sadly won’t come to Australia) Ford’s general manager for enthusiast vehicles, Matt Simpson, revealed a surprise is in store for 2025. A new variant of the Mustang will launch next year, with a silhouetted image the only giveaway about what it could be.
TRACK TEST: We hit a NASCAR speedway in Ford’s new Mustang
“It is going to be another addition to the Mustang stable,” Simpson said. “We are not stopping with Mustang, we are continuing to grow the family. Mustang has always been about being the most fun-to-drive car, and this is going to be an amazing addition to the family. We cannot wait to show you more about this car.”
Exactly what this new twist on the Mustang could be has immediately ignited debate around the industry. Ford has made no secret that the new Dark Horse variant is a limited edition, so it could make way for a new hero flagship next year.
The most likely candidate for that is a re-born Shelby GT350, as 2025 will mark the 60th anniversary of the original car’s launch. The teaser image does appear to feature a car with a large rear wing, like the Dark Horse, which does point to a high-performance variant.
A new Shelby, the first of this new S650-generation, would also seemingly fit Simpson’s comments about the Mustang being “the most fun-to-drive” car.
VIDEO: Ford Mustang Dark Horse review
However, there have also been rumours for years that the blue oval has been working on a hybrid variant of the Mustang. While this would appear to contradict the large wing, there’s every chance the first Mustang hybrid will be a high-performance take on the concept.
Reports from overseas suggest Ford’s hybrid powertrain could combine the existing petrol engine, which is rear-wheel drive, with an electric motor on the front-axle to create a car that is both powerful and fuel-efficient.
The tease of this new model overshadowed the announcement of the 60th Anniversary special edition, a new styling pack that includes unique alloy wheels, badging, front grille and other elements. Ford Australia has confirmed it won’t be available locally though, as we still await the arrival of the latest Mustang, which is now due in the second half of the year.
A new digital dashboard design, inspired by the 1967-68 model was also announced, to go with the multiple options already available on the new display panel, including a ’80s theme from the Fox Body Mustang. This new option is being rolled out over-the-air in the US market, but will likely be included on Australian models from the factory.
The final major announcement was the reveal of a special livery for the brand’s IMSA GT3 Mustang. Dubbed the ‘Champion Spirit’ livery, this new, multi-coloured look incorporates elements from some of the most successful Mustangs in the brand’s racing history.
Which would you prefer – a re-born Shelby or hybrid hero? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Discussion about this post