It’s been confirmed that the MY2024 Ford Mustang is heading for an official unveiling on September 14 at the 2022 North American Detroit Auto Show.
Ford Motor Company’s contender in the muscle car battle that started the pony car genre over half a century ago is about to turn 60 years old in 2024. The quintessential American pony car is entering its seventh-generation packing a V8 punch. It’s been confirmed that the MY2024 Ford Mustang is heading for an official unveiling on September 14 at the 2022 North American Detroit Auto Show.
The news is public thanks to social media courtesy of Ford CEO Jim Farley. There’s good news for purists who like the traditional method to swap cogs – the 2024 Mustang will get a six-speed manual. Farley’s hashtag in the tweet was #SaveTheManuals.
2024 Ford Mustang To #SaveTheManuals
The seventh in the Mustang generations will carry over powertrains from the current generation and will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox (as confirmed by the ‘O’ in the ‘Generation’) and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
But Ford officials have warned that this may be the last hurrah for the manual in the model’s lifetime. The 2024 Ford Mustang could also make use of Ford’s Modular Hybrid Transmission (MHT) that is found in the hybrid version of the Ford Explorer and could be adapted for the two engine options expected. That’s right, a hybrid.
2024 Ford Mustang’s One Big Change
The big change we were on about earlier is that some information that leaked on the Internet suggests that the new Mustang would possibly come with a hybrid powertrain and even perhaps torque vectoring AWD. Even so, don’t expect it to be anything but a thoroughbred American pony car.
The engine options offered now will be carried over for the 2024 model. These include a four-cylinder EcoBoost and the 5.0L Coyote V8. There may be some tweaks made to the engine to either conform to the regulations or improve power outputs.
The new Mustang is expected to get a plug-in hybrid, according to the leaked information that suggests that both engines will receive a hybrid treatment, making use of an electric boost. For this, Ford would most likely introduce its MHT gearbox.
The V8 hybrid powertrain seen in the leaked patent drawings shows that the engine will have an electric motor mounted on each side, with the output shafts pretty much aligned to the crankshaft. This would allow torque vectoring in the front axle, which might find its way to other iterations like the Mustang Bullitt or the Ford Mustang Mach 1.
The plug-in hybrid would have a humble range for electric-only of about 10-20 miles. This may not be much, but the point is the hybrid V8 which will focus on improving performance rather than fuel saving. It could mean, however, that the hybrid system will add some substantial weight to the car. Not to mention, add to the price tag as well. But what happens to the successor of the Shelby GT500 with the possibility of AWD performance will be exciting to find out.
In terms of design and styling, the new Mustang will be edgier and have a more modern approach but as an evolution of its current shape and appeal, and not a radical change. The small glimpses some spy shots have been able to provide of the inside suggest the cabin will get a modern and upscale upgrade with a large digital cluster and a new infotainment system as well.
Ford Mustang’s 60th Anniversary
It was previously speculated that Ford could take the wraps off the new Mustang on April 17, 2023, which would coincide with the car’s original date of debut in 1964. That would’ve been fun to write headlines about but what’s better is that we’ll see it much before that in September this year at the very grand Detroit Auto Show.
This also gives Ford April 17 for something else related to the Mustang, like opening bookings or starting production. Times will tell. As with the current generation, it will be assembled at Ford’s plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. Production of the new Mustang is set to begin in 2023 and the car will go on sale the same year as a 2024 model. Expect the coupe and convertible to launch first, followed by the other iterations eventually.
The 2024 Mustang has been spied wearing camouflage and also heard rumbling through its V8 test vehicles. Ford had mentioned back in 2018 the possibility of a hybrid powertrain for the Mustang, while also assuring fans who’d be worried about the Mustang losing its charm that the hybrid system is “all about delivering V8-like performance with more low-end torque.”
The new model will be a major milestone for the Mustang with a plug-in hybrid version and if this is the last model to offer a manual transmission. Ford also already has plans to go racing with a new GT3 version. That will be something interesting to watch unfold.
