V8 and manual transmission confirmed for Mustang’s future

“We’ll continue to offer it as long as our customers want manual transmission,” Mustang chief program engineer Laurie Transou explained at the Australian launch of the S650 Mustang range.

Demand among Mustang buyers for the 'stick shift' option indeed remains strong, with a 30/70 percent manual/auto split among Mustang GT buyers both here and in the US, and a 50/50 split for the Dark Horse model in the States.

Confirmation of the manual Mustang’s future is good news for muscle car fans at a time when the traditional manual option is fast disappearing from the performance car market.

With the Chev Camaro discontinued and the Dodge Challenger slated for electric and possibly V6 power, the Mustang is the world’s only remaining affordable V8 with a manual transmission option.

On the flipside, however, the 2.3-litre turbo Ecoboost ‘entry-level’ S650 model will only be sold here with the 10-speed auto trans.

The S650 seventh generation Mustang will be offered in GT Fastback and Convertible form, and EcoBoost Fastback, along with the Dark Horse model. Different grille designs give visual differentiation between the Ecoboost and V8 models.

With much of the mechanicals having been carried over from the existing S550, the major points of difference with the S650 relate to the body and interior.

Inside the changes are dramatic: gone is the retro-themed double-brow dash design (that echoed the original '64 Mustang dashboard), and the 'old-school' plastic silver toggle-style switches. The dashboard now features 12.3-inch for the digital instrument display and a 13.2-inch multimedia touchscreen.

The restyled interior and full digital display, along with the addition of a 'Drift Brake' mechanism, are part of Ford’s aim of broadening the Mustang’s appeal with younger buyers.

The Dark Horse version gets the Tremec TR-3160 six-speed transmission previously used in the Mach 1 (other S650 V8 manual models continue with the existing Getrag six-speed), and different engine configuration, with stronger conrods and different camshafts.

The Australian Dark Horse model is rated at 330kW, which is more than 20kW less than the US version. Mustang Chief Program Engineer Laurie Transou puts that down to a number of factors, including the different exhaust system for right-hand-drive configuration, and different regulatory requirements in Australia.

“We’re always looking at delivering more power for every region around the world,” she explained at the Australian launch. “One of the hallmarks of Mustang is that every new generation delivers more power, more performance. So, we’re constantly looking for more, not just in the US but everywhere around the world.”