2023 Ford Mustang: ‘No new engines’

Speculation surrounding the ‘S650’ 2023 Ford Mustang has been buzzing for months now, but now the Blue Oval brand’s next sports car is looking more like a major update of the current model than a full generational change.

This impression has been reinforced with confirmation from Ford sources that the new pony car will be powered by carryover engines from the S550, devoid of electrification in the short-term at least.

That’s the latest word from Ford Authority, which is reporting the new look and feel of the 2023 Ford Mustang will be backed by the familiar pair of four-cylinder and V8 petrol engines.

The current 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo churns out 224kW/441Nm in Australia, while the 5.0-litre Coyote bent-eight produces a heftier 339kW/556Nm in local GT guise.

Originally, the new Mustang was expected to launch with hybridised and heavily updated versions of the same powerplants and possibly even feature all-wheel drive.

But those rumours have been dismissed by Ford Authority’s Blue Oval insiders, although there’s nothing to rule out electrification being added down the track.

Production is still earmarked to start in the first half of 2023 in readiness for the North American 2024 model year.

Leaked prototype shots and internal document images have already provided us with a look at the best-selling sports car’s replacement, with the four-cylinder model set to adopt a squarer, more friendly-looking design language.

By contrast, the GT looks far angrier and more aggressive than the current model, almost looking as if it’s been rummaging around in the Shelby parts bin.

Riding on an updated version of the platform underpinning the S550 generation, the S650 Mustang’s interior looks set to receive a similar makeover going by previous spy images and leaked intel.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au