Ford is developing a spiritual successor to the S550-generation Shelby GT350, pairing a naturally aspirated V8 with a manual gearbox and widebody styling.
Ford Plans New Track Special
Following the introduction of the supercharged Dark Horse SC, company insiders told Motor1 that a new S650-generation Mustang flavor is in development. Whowatchwear noted that the model will use a naturally aspirated V8 instead of the forced-induction setup found on higher-tier variants.
Torquecafe reported that the upcoming coupe will offer a larger engine than the standard Dark Horse while retaining a manual transmission. Ever since the debut of the S650 generation in late 2022, the Blue Oval has refrained from applying the Shelby name to its most potent Mustangs.
Instead, the automaker spawned a new lineup of performance models at the top of the range. While Shelby American has continued to utilize the GT350, GT500, and Super Snake names with its line of aftermarket conversions, Ford’s in-house Mustangs range from the Dark Horse, which replaced the previous Mach 1, to the Dark Horse SC, which succeeded the GT500, alongside the GT3 racing-derived GTD.
Data provided by Ford Authority details an upcoming S650 Mustang designed to act as an emotional heir to the S550 Shelby GT350, featuring a stick shift and a naturally aspirated V8 as core elements of its build.
Coupe Output May Reach 650 Horsepower
Autonews Mag estimated that output for the track-focused coupe could reach roughly 650 horsepower. Cobramagazine reported that displacement is expected to measure 5.2 or 5.4 litres.
The vehicle is projected to slot between the 500-horsepower Dark Horse and the 795-horsepower Dark Horse SC. Presently, the standard Dark Horse is powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, which produces 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque, sent to the rear wheels.
Motor1 noted that the 2026 Dark Horse starts at $67,770 with destination and handling fees included, while the Dark Horse SC is a six-figure affair starting at a steep $108,085. Autonews Mag placed the theoretical starting price near $90,000.
Track Build Receives Wider Bodywork and Upgraded Suspension
Whowatchwear reported that the track build will receive wider bodywork, upgraded suspension, larger brakes, and additional cooling capacity. Motor1 stated that Ford intends to sell the new model exclusively as a coupe with no convertible variant planned, matching the previous Shelby GT350 which was never available with unlimited headroom as engineers prioritized chassis rigidity.
Torquecafe mentioned that intellectual property filings submitted by Ford for Dark Horse Boss in the early months of 2025 leave open the possibility that the upcoming vehicle might revive another legendary badge to connect it with historic racing homologation models.