Ford has been spotted testing the eagerly anticipated S650 Mustang, wearing some very heavy camouflage. With production reported to only kick off in March 2023, there's still some time to wait before we get to see Dearborn's muscle car. But there's reason to celebrate - as you'll hear in the video footage below, the upcoming Mustang will retain its iconic 5.0-liter V8.
While Mustang styling has, traditionally, been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, we're still keen to see what changes Ford has made to its bodywork. In the clip, the heavily disguised Mustang's headlights can be seen through the concealment. While it's too early to tell at this point, they appear slimmer and more sculpted.
The overall body shape appears to be similar to the current generation, but a raised roofline at the rear of the vehicle makes it difficult to tell whether Ford is concealing a new styling flourish. The well-hidden rear reveals a small styling detail, the turn signal flashing as three vertically stacked LED dots. This could, of course, be something to throw people off.
Two large exhaust pipes extend out from underneath the rear bumper. The vehicle seen here is wearing alloy wheels, not unlike the items found on the current-gen Mustang GT. While it's likely the wheel design may survive, expect a host of newer rim choices to be made available.
An interior shot shows two interesting details. The first is the 'Bullitt' steering wheel, which this prototype model is likely borrowing from Ford's part bin. But more importantly, the test unit is clearly a stick-shift. The driver can be seen placing the car into gear before setting off, the 5.0-liter V8 providing an incredible soundtrack.
Ford has said that the V8 won't be going anywhere anytime soon. But as we head further into the era of electrification, the Blue Oval will introduce hybrid versions of the EcoBoost and Coyote motors. As for a fully-electric Mustang? Well, apart from the Mustang Mach-E crossover, a Mustang EV is expected in the near future. Until then, let's just enjoy the iconic V8 growl created by this prototype.