S650 RIGHT HAND DRIVE MUSTANG PROTOTYPE SPOTTED TESTING

[Stevefreestyle]

S650 FORD MUSTANG RIGHT HAND DRIVE PROTOTYPE SPOTTED TESTING
By Brett Foote January 31, 2023

"The Ford Mustang launched in Europe in right-hand drive configuration for the first time in conjunction with the arrival of the S550 generation in 2015, and it hasn’t looked back since, though customers in that region showed a strong preference for the GT and its naturally-aspirated Ford 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, prompting FoMoCo to drop the EcoBoost model some time ago. Thus, it came as no surprise when the automaker announced that it would be selling the all-new S650 Ford Mustang in Europe later this year. Now, Ford Authority has spotted an S650 Ford Mustang prototype with right hand drive out testing.

As Ford Authority reported back in November, FoMoCo will continue making right hand drive vehicles for the foreseeable future, even though those types of models tend to pose a few financial challenges for automakers. In Australia, a new right hand drive version of the Ford F-150 is set to launch this year, but The Blue Oval will rely on a company called RMA Automotive to complete that particular conversion.

The S650 Ford Mustang represents a total redesign for the iconic pony car – not just a refresh – and is powered by new, next-generation versions of both the EcoBoost and Coyote powerplants. In the U.S., EcoBoost models will generate 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, while the GT makes 480 horsepower and 415 pound-feet in regular guise, or 486/418 with the optional active exhaust. The range-topping Dark Horse trumps both with an output of 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque, however.

Ford hasn’t provided too many details about international variants of the S650, though Australian customers can expect to see the new pony car in Q3 of this year. Meanwhile, specifications, pricing, and power ratings are yet to be determined as the car hasn’t yet been subjected to that country’s emissions testing.

https://fordauthority.com/2023/01/s6...otted-testing/

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[angermgmt14]

Forgive my possibly stupid question but why the camo?

 

[Twin Turbo]

Nice! It's a shame it's fully camo'd still, as I'd really like to see if we really are getting red tails. Still, cool to see it in RHD

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Forgive my possibly stupid question but why the camo?

Thats exactly what I thought, however my guess is it could be an old pre-release photo

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Nice! It's a shame it's fully camo'd still, as I'd really like to see if we really are getting red tails. Still, cool to see it in RHD

Yes a bit frustrating we can't see the Tail Lights (Clear or Red), however we still get the fat "Euro" External Mirrors.

Although we have seen from the Aust S650 Race Cars, the Clear Tail Lights are definitely back.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

RHD Clear Tail Lights confirmed with Aussie Gen 3 Race Car

Gallery: All angles of Gen3 prototypes - Supercars

 

[5.0ALM]

Indeed, why the camo?

If this was a pre-Sep 14 photo, then why haven't we seen more images of RHD test mules roaming Detroit since?

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Indeed, why the camo?

If this was a pre-Sep 14 photo, then why haven't we seen more images of RHD test mules roaming Detroit since?

It could be simply that the primary focus has been on the US market and RHD has not been on the radar in terms if interest value.

 

[5.0ALM]

Agree that initial focus will always be on the launch market (LHD, USA), but from an engineering perspective, if an issue is discovered, you would think both LHD and RHD variants would be assessed and remedied at the same time.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Agree that initial focus will always be on the launch market (LHD, USA), but from an engineering perspective, if an issue is discovered, you would think both LHD and RHD variants would be assessed and remedied at the same time.

If it is a Pre-Release photo, they probably would have been testing LHD & RHD simultaneously

 

[DeluxeStang]

Im just confused as to why they bothered to camo it.

 

[5.0ALM]

Speaking of indicators....

A new version of ADR 6/00 came into effect less than 2 weeks ago.

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2023C00144


Tail lamp assemblies are guaranteed to be clear for the Aussie market.

The actual amber hue must fall within specification.
The US red lamp cover would skew the hue of the light towards red too much.

I just hope all three rear lamps are RGB LEDs so we can get sequential amber indicators across all three. One less aftermarket thing to get ripped off with.

It would be cheaper to manufacture if all tail lamps were RGB to suit all markets, so actual hue (red or amber) and sequencing (or not) is controlled by firmware.

 

[5.0ALM]

With snow, it must be a recent image.
Which begs the original question about camo.

Definitely Detroit.

Something must be different.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

With snow, it must be a recent image.
Which begs the original question about camo.

Definitely Detroit.

Something must be different.

It could also be from Last years US winter.

 

[MustangMac67]

It could also be from Last years US winter.

No, the first time a mule was spotted was in January last year. I reviewed the spy photos, and the only snow there was was melting, barely on the ground. This is much more snow.

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