S650 Mid Cycle Refresh

[MidwayJ]

With the S550 the refresh came in model year 2018, the 4th year of production. That's equivalent to the 2027 model year for the S650. The 2018 refresh was significant (front fascia, 10r80 transmission, 25 additional horsepower, quad exhaust, digital dash, active exhaust, etc.).

Do you think Ford will stick with the same pattern with the S650 (refresh in 4th model year)? If so, how significant do you think the changes will be? It would be nice if Ford bumped the hp by 20-25 and made some cosmetic improvements. It would also be nice if the Tremec became standard in the GT at that point.

I'll be surprised if the changes are as significant as in 2018, but we can hope.

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[AZ_Ryan]

The refresh will be either '27 or '28 depending on how long Ford commits to the S650. I'd also guess '27 is the most likely.

I seriously doubt we will see a bump in HP or anything significant performance wise though. The 4th gen coyote is pretty maxed out for a naturally aspirated V8. And remember, there isn't any real competition in the segment anymore that would necessitate change or advancement.

My guess is it will get the typical grille and tail light change, maybe a minor interior tweak, and maybe just maybe we'll get a new hybrid version in addition to the GT and ecoboost.

Beyond that I don't think there will be any earth shattering changes until the 8th gen Mustang comes out. Then, hold on to your butts...

 

[Stanzi]

The refresh will be either '27 or '28 depending on how long Ford commits to the S650. I'd also guess '27 is the most likely.

I seriously doubt we will see a bump in HP or anything significant performance wise though. The 4th gen coyote is pretty maxed out for a naturally aspirated V8. And remember, there isn't any real competition in the segment anymore that would necessitate change or advancement.

My guess is it will get the typical grille and tail light change, maybe a minor interior tweak, and maybe just maybe we'll get a new hybrid version in addition to the GT and ecoboost.

Beyond that I don't think there will be any earth shattering changes until the 8th gen Mustang comes out. Then, hold on to your butts...

Personally I’d love to see a Hybrid version of the GT- that high revving V8 with twin electric motors in the front giving it 750-850 HP and AWD.

but I know there are a ton of purists who frown on anything electric.

 

[Zig]

Personally I’d love to see a Hybrid version of the GT- that high revving V8 with twin electric motors in the front giving it 750-850 HP and AWD.

but I know there are a ton of purists who frown on anything electric.

Properly done the hole shot would be astounding. Although they have to be two completely separate systems that know how to work in harmony while simultaneously being able to provide individually. Failure of one should not disable the other. Granted if a wheel can’t turn don’t matter which system generated the request however a failure or zero ev drive charge should not disable the combustion propulsion and no combustion should not disable the magnetic attraction. Most likely would need to use a computer in order to calculate torque vectors ….

although currently the advancements in ev tech obsoletes the implementation far quicker than recognition of positive investment returns. Once they get the drive battery as easily swappable as the current 12v (or at least akin to a transmission service - both in effort and cost) it will be a different story. But if it costs the same to keep the car as purchasing a new one, aint really an advancement.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

This is something I've thought about lately, and has got me beginning to wonder if some of the prototypes we've seen recently - namely the one with the vertical rectangular exhaust - is actually a refresh with some extreme upgrades instead of a boss or a GT500. Seems far-fetched, and I doubt it's true, but it's a thought that won't go away.

 

[Crew4991]

My guess would be 2028 or 2029. There is no competition? Why invest in a refresh when there is no motivation for Ford to improve?

Back in 2017 for the 2018 refresh, there was a ton of competition with the Challenger and Camaro both getting recent refreshes of their own and a nice bump in power.
Where are they now..? One is still dead while the other is either an EV or a six cylinder.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

This is something I've thought about lately, and has got me beginning to wonder if some of the prototypes we've seen recently - namely the one with the vertical rectangular exhaust - is actually a refresh with some extreme upgrades instead of a boss or a GT500. Seems far-fetched, and I doubt it's true, but it's a thought that won't go away.

I think there is something to this.

 

[rijndael]

And, sales are slow ... which makes more investments even less likely.

 

[roket]

ford seems to be trying to do a 3 year thing, where they do 3 model years, refresh, 3 more model years, then new gen. taking the F-150 as an example, 2015 had a new gen, 2018 was a refresh, 2021 was a new gen, 2024 was a refresh. but also Ford has had some shorter runs like the weird 2022 Super Duty and the 2023 and 2024 Expedition, but also some longer runs like the 2018-2023 Mustang and 2020-2024 Explorer, with the biggest outlier being the Crown Vic which had it's 2003 refresh extend for 8 years to 2011. there's also no rule that a refresh has to be big, but it can be. compare the changes made from 2017 to 2018 on the Mustang to the changes made from 2024 to 2025 on the Explorer, and that to the changes made between the 2002 and 2003 Crown Victoria

 

[Q6543]

A refresh isn’t gonna help sales much, they just witnessed that going s550 to s650

I think they’ll slow down refresh’s across all models as they’re solely focused on this new EV platform ramp up…

just slowly trickle what was in the pipeline.

 

[Crew4991]

ford seems to be trying to do a 3 year thing, where they do 3 model years, refresh, 3 more model years, then new gen. taking the F-150 as an example, 2015 had a new gen, 2018 was a refresh, 2021 was a new gen, 2024 was a refresh. but also Ford has had some shorter runs like the weird 2022 Super Duty and the 2023 and 2024 Expedition, but also some longer runs like the 2018-2023 Mustang and 2020-2024 Explorer, with the biggest outlier being the Crown Vic which had it's 2003 refresh extend for 8 years to 2011. there's also no rule that a refresh has to be big, but it can be. compare the changes made from 2017 to 2018 on the Mustang to the changes made from 2024 to 2025 on the Explorer, and that to the changes made between the 2002 and 2003 Crown Victoria

I think the 3 year cycle only applies to those extremely popular market segments so Ford can remain competitive with rival brands. Think about it - Explorer, Expedition and F150 are in the mid-size SUV, full size SUV and pickup truck segments that are very popular and filled with choices.

Our beloved Mustang and Crown Vic are in sports car and old school full size sedan segments which are deemed dead markets. Definitely not to us enthusiasts that love these cars, but definitely dead for the average car buyer that typically wants to buy some lame SUV that is filled with technology.

I agree though, the mustang will probably get a refresh at some point but I think it will take longer than we think. I personally think 2028 or 2029. In the meantime Ford will probably pull a trick from Porsche's usual paybook and instead come out with new limited edition mustang models to help keep the mustang model platform overall somewhat fresh and exciting, but the ecoboost and standard GT trims will probably not change (only receive minor upgrades, new tech, or new available packages).

 

[FunkinGoNuts]

If Ford is going to release a Boss / Cobra variant or announce it in 2026, my assumption would be it being tied to some mid cycle refresh schedule or at least to closely follow.

Personally, I'm still holding out until I see a different front bumper profile , or if the cobra / boss looks REALLY cool!

 

[Frogdog1]

Personally I’d love to see a Hybrid version of the GT- that high revving V8 with twin electric motors in the front giving it 750-850 HP and AWD.

but I know there are a ton of purists who frown on anything electric.

Problems are, where are they going to put all this (batteries, motors) in an already heavy car?

I am one of those purists. That said, anyone that wants an electric car, let them get one. Also, not everyone wants 850hp. Where will that be used but on a race track? Few people legally race their Mustangs.

 

[FunkinGoNuts]

Problems are, where are they going to put all this (batteries, motors) in an already heavy car?

I am one of those purists. That said, anyone that wants an electric car, let them get one. Also, not everyone wants 850hp. Where will that be used but on a race track? Few people legally race their Mustangs.

I am a purest, but I would SERIOUSLY consider a very small hybrid option with a V8.. I mean how hilarious would our launches be??

 

[rijndael]

I'd rather have a dual clutch transmission than a hybrid setup.

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